VIRTUAL LEARNING

   Personal computers and the Internet have revolutionized entire sectors of American society. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Skype and other online communications media have allowed billions of people around the world to share ideas in a matter of seconds, mostly at a very low cost. These advances in computer technology are as remarkable as they are familiar.

But most people are not aware of how computers and Internet technology are transforming the way students learn. This emerging education paradigm is often called “virtual learning,”[*] and it has the potential to improve student achievement, educational access and schools’ cost-effectiveness.

Specifically, virtual learning uses computer software, the Internet or both to deliver instruction to students. This minimizes or eliminates the need for teachers and students to share a classroom. Virtual learning does not include the increasing use of e-mail or online forums to help teachers better communicate with students and parents about coursework and student progress; as helpful as these learning management systems are, they do not change how students are taught.

Virtual learning comes in several forms:

• Computer-Based: Instruction is not provided by a teacher; instead, instruction is provided by software installed on a local computer or server. This software can frequently customize the material to suit the specific needs of each student. 
• Internet-Based: This is similar to computer-based instruction, but in this case, the software that provides the instruction is delivered through the Web and stored on a remote server.
• Remote Teacher Online: Instruction is provided by a teacher, but that teacher is not physically present with the student. Instead, the teacher interacts with the student via the Internet, through such media as online video, online forums, e-mail and instant messaging.
• Blended Learning: This combines traditional face-to-face instruction, directed by a teacher, with computer-based, Internet-based or remote teacher online instruction. In effect, instruction comes from two sources: a traditional classroom teacher, and at least one of the forms of virtual learning described above.
• Facilitated Virtual Learning: This is computer-based, Internet-based or remote teacher online instruction that is supplemented by a human “facilitator.” This facilitator does not direct the student’s instruction, but rather assists the student’s learning process by providing tutoring or additional supervision. The facilitator may be present with the learner or communicating remotely via the Web or other forms of electronic communications.

VIDEO AND AUDIO CONFERENCING  This is a very broad category of online tools, incorporating a range of options from free one-to-one audio conferencing all the way to more sophisticated and expensive tools such as Polycom which allow multiple sites with entire classes participating using video and audio. Video and audio, or just audio connection between two computers communicating via the Internet. Examples of free audio conferencing software: Gizmo, Skype (both cross platform) both enable users to speak to other Gizmo/Skype users free of charge (although users can also pay a fee and make calls to landlines using the computer). For further examples view Wikipedia list. Examples of free video conferencing software: iVisit (cross platform), iChat (Mac only), NetMeeting(Windows only). Breeze can also be used for video conferencing (but Breeze is more than just a video/audio conferencing tool. See Breeze overview) Transmitted to & received from any computer in any location that has Internet connection (broadband desirable for effective use). Teacher must have microphone, can have camera. Ideally end users have microphone (camera not essential) for synchronous communication. Technology requirements for video/audio conferencing: Computer with access (ideally broadband) to the Internet. Browser. Speakers to hear audio. Microphone (to contribute audio). Web camera to contribute video.

Above: Video conferencing in iChat. Below: Skype audio conferencing.

Why use video/audio conferencing? Enables teacher or limited number of learners need to connect from different locations at the same time when only video and/or audio connection is needed. Examples: guest speaker at remote location can talk to local class; students in one class can engage in discussion with students at another location (such as a class in another country); when a student is unable to attend face-to-face class, s/he can connect to class via VOIP; students can take virtual field trips to remote locations. Advantages video/audio conferencing Note: Within the broad category of video/audio conferencing there are different types, each with their own advantages, so not all within the following list applies to each specific tool. Free download of easy to use software that can be used via Internet to connect student, instructor, or guest speaker to class and enable both sides to see & hear. Enables individual (usually limited to one connection) to participate in synchronous learning experiences from any location worldwide. Users can connect from home, work or other location easily accessible to them. Specifically useful for guest speaker who is far away from face-to-face class location, or student who cannot be in face-to-face class. Enables students to take virtual field trips to remote locations (either just by viewing the video (e.g. African Voices) or engaging in an interactive lesson (see African Masks field trip). This is especially an advantage to students who attend schools in isolated communities, but is an advantage to all students regardless of location or socio-economic factors. See extensive list of examples at SBC Videoconference Adventures; also Ball State University Electronic Field Trips. Can be used to record vodcast or podcast and uploaded to course website (for web-enhanced, hybrid, or fully online classes). As video conferencing technology improves, this can become a far cheaper alternative to ITV or systems like PolyCom in enabling school districts to offer specialized subjects by having one teacher teach a class to students at a number of schools (e.g. in foreign language -- see Spanish lesson). Disadvantages of video/audio conferencing Note: Within the broad category of video/audio conferencing there are different types, each with their own disadvantages, so not all within the following list applies to each specific tool. Typically on free systems only one or a very limited number of users can connect to the host (instructor) computers at a time, so video/audio conferencing can be used only for individual access rather than as a larger scale tool and learning environment. However, newer systems such as Camfrog enable multi-user video conferencing. Depending on the stability of the connection, users may be disconnected during the class and have to reconnect. Difficult to see and hear people who are not close to the microphone/camera, especially when using one of the low-cost systems (such as iSight camera). Thus difficult to have multiple people at one site, sharing a computer to communicate with users at other sites. Issues & problems related to video/audio conferencing Works best with broad band connection, especially for video conferencing. Users report that after the initial fascination with the video component has worn off, they realize that they really only need to use the audio as this uses less bandwidth and results in higher quality audio than the video option. Because of the small video window and low quality, the video image is of limited use (as compared with ITV where image is high quality and can be used to share a variety of still and video images). If used for users connecting to face-to-face class, it is important to have good quality speakers so that classroom-based students can hear the person who is calling in. Students speaking from classroom must identify who they are before speaking. Requires students connecting to class from remote site to be able to follow discussion relying just on audio or audio with low quality video (students report this being challenging, especially for long lectures). This is also an accessibility issue.

BULLETIN BOARDS
       

           Computerized information disseminating or message-passing source. Similar to a physical message board (notice board), it allows users to leave messages for others to read or pass on. In pre-Internet days, there were some 15,000 BBS on practically every conceivable topic. Now largely replaced by websites such as Usenet.

SOCIAL NETWORKS 

Social networking is the practice of expanding the number of one's business and/or social contacts by making connections through individuals, often through social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.

Based on the six degrees of separation concept (the idea that any two people on the planet could make contact through a chain of no more than five intermediaries), social networking establishes interconnected online communities (sometimes known as social graphs) that help people make contacts that would be good for them to know, but that they would be unlikely to have met otherwise.

Depending on the social media platform, members may be able to contact any other member. In other cases, members can contact anyone they have a connection to, and subsequently anyone that contact has a connection to, and so on. Some services require members to have a preexisting connection to contact other members.

Definition—"Electronic Communication"

The definition of an "electronic communication" appears in 18 U.S.C. § 2510(12). This form of communication was added to Title III by the 1986 Act to cover most forms of electronic communications existing today. It includes any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic or photooptical system. Moreover, because the 1994 Act specifically eliminated the exclusion from this definition the radio portion of a cordless telephone communication that is transmitted between the cordless telephone handset and the base unit, such communications are now protected by the statute. SeeH.Rep. No. 103-827, 103d Cong., 2d Sess. (1994), reprinted in 1994 U.S.Code Cong. & Ad.News 3489, 3510. See McKamey v. Roach, 55 F.3d 1236, 1238 n.1 (6th Cir. 1995) (noting change in law). Nonetheless, this definition does not include "electronic storage" of communications, as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2510(17), because unlawful access to stored communications is governed by 18 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq.

The definition of an "electronic communication" specifically excludes: a "wire" or "oral" communication, as defined in Title III; communications from tone-only paging devices; communications from tracking devices; and electronic funds transfer information stored by a financial institution in a communications system used for the electronic storage and transfer of funds. This last exception was added as part of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 in order to enable "law enforcement to obtain such bank records through the usual grand jury subpoena, or other court order procedure, without requiring a wiretap order for these purposes." H. Conf. Rep. No. 104-518, 104th Cong., 2d Sess. (1996), reprinted in1996 U.S.Code Cong. & Ad.News 924, 956-57.

What is the Definition of Mobile Learning?

          Mobile learning, also known as m-learning, is an educational system. Mobile learning supports, with the help of mobile devices, a continuous access to the learning process. This can be on appliances like your phone, laptop or tablet. You can learn wherever and whenever you want! :-) With the advent of mobile learning, educational systems are changing. Now you know the meaning of M-learning, let's take a look at mobile learning in education.

webinar

A webinar is an educational, informative or instructional presentation that is made available online, usually as either video or audio with slides. A webinar may take the form of an academic lecture or some other type of presentation, such as a business conference. Because webinar attendees connect online, they can use Internet-based technologies to enhance the experience, for example, communicating through instant messaging, file sharing, using a whiteboard collaboratively and interacting through social media sites.

       E-GOVERNANCE

 e-governance is the application of information and communication technology]] (ICT) for delivering government services, exchange of information, communication transactions, integration of various stand-alone systems and services between government to customer .


CONCEPT OF E-JOURNAL 

There is no universally accepted definition of e-journal. Different terms used by authors include ‘paperless journal’, ‘virtual journal’, ‘e-serials’, and ‘online journal’. The experts in the fields give the definitions on the basis of production, distribution etc. Before coming to definition of ejournal, we have to consider first the definition of a journal. According to ALA Glossary of Library and Information Science (125) journal is "a periodical specially one containing scholarly articles and / or disseminating current information on research and development in a particular subject field". 

          massive open online                   course (MOOC)

A massive open online course (MOOC) is a free Web-based distance learning program that is designed for the participation of large numbers of geographically dispersed students. A MOOC may be patterned on a college or university course or may be less structured. Although MOOCs don't always offer academic credits, they provide education that may enable certification, employment or further studies.

                  What is e-learning?
 When it comes to education, the model has been pretty straight forward - up until the early ‘00s education was in a classroom of students with a teacher who led the process. Physical presence was a no-brainer, and any other type of learning was questionable at best. Then the computer evolution happened and it radically changed the learning landscape. 

        The history of e-learning 
        The term “e-learning” has only been in existence since 1999, when the word was first utilized at a CBT systems seminar. Other words also began to spring up in search of an accurate description such as “online learning” and “virtual learning”. However, the principles behind elearning have been well documented throughout history, and there is even evidence which suggests that early forms of e-learning existed as far back as the 19th century.

                e- resources
            Digital technology has made it more easy, speedy and comfortable to apply the stored intellect. This collected information through the ages has to be used for further research; betterment and overall development of the society. Electronic resources are easily accessible in remote areas. Electronic resources solve storage problems and control the flood of information. Print sources are being digitized. Electronic information sources are becoming more and more important for the academic community. The advent of technology has made the libraries to add new things to its collection. The more prominent among them is the e-resources. This paper presents an overview of these resources, describes a few advantages and disadvantages, and gives addresses of few web sites.

Web-based learning
     It has got much attention as being an incredible opportunity to study nowadays. Despite of its popularity on still remains unclear and confusing.

Discover theWhat is web based learning?

Web based learning is often called online learning or e-learning because it includes online course content. Discussion forums via email, videoconferencing, and live lectures (videostreaming) are all possible through the web. Web based courses may also provide static pages such as printed course materials.

One of the values of using the web to access course materials is that web pages may contain hyperlinks to other parts of the web, thus enabling access to a vast amount of web based information.

A “virtual” learning environment (VLE) or managed learning environment (MLE) is an all in one teaching and learning software package. A VLE typically combines functions such as discussion boards, chat rooms, online assessment, tracking of students' use of the web, and course administration. VLEs act as any other learning environment in that they distribute information to learners. VLEs can, for example, enable learners to collaborate on projects and share information. However, the focus of web based courses must always be on the learner—technology is not the issue, nor necessarily the answer. world's researchWhat is web based learning?

Web based learning is often called online learning or e-learning because it includes online course content. Discussion forums via email, videoconferencing, and live lectures (videostreaming

What is web based learning?

Web based learning is often called online learning or e-learning because it includes online course content. Discussion forums via email, videoconferencing, and live lectures (videostreaming) are all possible through the web. Web based courses may also provide static pages such as printed course materials.

One of the values of using the web to access course materials is that web pages may contain hyperlinks to other parts of the web, thus enabling access to a vast amount of web based information.

A “virtual” learning environment (VLE) or managed learning environment (MLE) is an all in one teaching and learning software package. A VLE typically combines functions such as discussion boards, chat rooms, online assessment, tracking of students' use of the web, and course administration. VLEs act as any other learning environment in that they distribute information to learners. VLEs can, for example, enable learners to collaborate on projects and share information. However, the focus of web based courses must always be on the learner—technology is not the issue, nor necessarily the answer.) are all possible through the web. Web based courses may also provide 

What is web based learning?

Web based learning is often called online learning or e-learning because it includes online course content. Discussion forums via email, videoconferencing, and live lectures (videostreaming) are all possible through the web. Web based courses may also provide static pages such as printed course materials.

One of the values of using the web to access course materials is that web pages may contain hyperlinks to other parts of the web, thus enabling access to a vast amoun

What is web based learning?

Web based learning is often called online learning or e-learning because it includes online course content. Discussion forums via email, videoconferencing, and live lectures (videostreaming) are all possible through the web. Web based courses may also provide static pages such as printed course materials.

One of the values of using the web to access course materials is that web pages may contain hyperlinks to other parts of the web, thus enabling access to a vast amount of web based information.

A “virtual” learning environment (VLE) or managed learning environment (MLE) is an all in one teaching and learning software package. A VLE typically combines functions such as discussion boards, chat rooms, online assessment, tracking of students' use of the web, and course administration. VLEs act as any other learning environment in that they distribute information to learners. VLEs can, for example, enable learners to collaborate on projects and share information. However, the focus of web based courses must always be on the learner—technology is not the issue, nor necessarily the answer.t of web based information.

A “virtual” learning environment (VLE) or managed learning environment (MLE) is an all in one teaching and learning software package. A VLE typically combines functions such as discussion boards, chat rooms, online assessment, tracking of students' use of the web, and course administration. VLEs act as any other learning environment in that they distribute information to learners. VLEs can, for example, enable learners to collaborate on projects and share information. However, the focus of web based courses must always be on the learner—technology is not the issue, nor necessarily the answer.static pages such as printed course materials.

One of the values of using the web to access course materials is that web pages may contain hyperlinks to other parts of the web, thus enabling access to a vast amount of web based information.

A “virtual” learning environment (VLE) or managed learning environment (MLE) is an all in one teaching and learning software package. A VLE typically combines functions such as discussion boards, chat rooms, online assessment, tracking of students' use of the web, and course administration. VLEs act as any other learning environment in that they distribute information to learners. VLEs can, for example, enable learners to collaborate on projects and share information. However, the focus of web based courses must always be on the learner—technology is not the issue, nor necessarily the answer.