E-Learning Proposal

E-Learning Proposal for Design

and Drafting Technology Courses

By: Roya Azimzadeh

Overview Introduction The benefits of E-Learning Top U.S. Universities using E-Learning

programs What about the quality and credibility of

E-Learning? Financial implications Timeline needed for the conversion Summary

Introduction In order to train knowledgeable, skilled,

and competitive future workforce, Design and Drafting Technology faculty is seeking innovative methods to maximize students’ learning and provide world-class education while involving students in hands-on activities harmonious with their learning styles. What is E-Learning and what are the advantages of it?

What is E-Learning?

Electronic learning is “learning utilizing electronic technologies to access educational curriculum outside of a traditional classroom. In most cases, it refers to a course, program or degree delivered completely online” (eLearningNC, 2013).

Image Source: http://www.google.com

What are the Benefits of E-Learning?

With technological advancements and the convenience of online learning, many academic institutions around the world have been embracing electronic learning (E-Learning) while benefiting from its pedagogical aspects, accessibility, effectiveness, and sustainability.

The Benefits of E-Learning

Pedagogical Principals Constructivist Learning Theory

Cooperative learning activities foster learners’ engagement and help maximize learning effectiveness (Moore, 2011). Collaborative online activities enhance students’ learning and performance (Tseng & Chu, 2010).


Pedagogical Principals Social Learning Theory

Learners may socially construct knowledge and share experiences in form of messages, modeling, and online collaborations while participating in a sustainable environmentally-friendly education (Hill, Song, & West, 2009); (Castle & McGuire, 2010).


Accessibility Learners and educators can conveniently access, share,

learn, and teach information worldwide using the Internet at their preferred location, pace, and time (Tseng & Chu, 2010)

Effective method for educating “geographically dispersed, multicultural workforce” (Merugu, 2011)


Effectiveness Effective learner-centered education available online

24/7 Effective method to accommodate different learners’

learning styles Sustainability

Environmentally-friendly educational approach Reduced consumption of carbon and paper Reduced emissions caused by traveling cars to schools

Top U.S. Universities Using E-Learning Programs

Pennsylvania State University (PSU)PSU offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs

Education, Business, Engineering, Criminal Justice, and Nursing (Education Portal, 2013)

University of Florida (UF)UF offers degree and non-degree distance education

programs utilizing online, video, and CD-ROM resources (Education Portal, 2013)

The following link contains a list of schools with E-Learning programs and the number of student enrollment:

http://education-portal.com/articles/Best_Universities_with_E-Learning_Programs_List_of_Schools.html




What about the Quality and Credibility of E-Learning?

To assess the quality of the instructional design of a technical course such as Design and Drafting Technology, a checklist or rubric will enable educators to adjust and improve their instructional activities to the highest standards. Ross (2013) provided the resources indicated on the next two slides to access some quality checklists:


Click on the image to access the website

http://schemaperforms.blogspot.com/2010/03/instructional-designid-review-checklist.html


Click on the image to access the Quality Matters website

https://www.qualitymatters.org/

Financial Implications

Implementing E-Learning will enable academic institutions to enhance students’ learning while meeting diverse students’ learning styles. This will result in improving an institution’s reputation; consequently, increased enrollment and financial improvement while empowering an institute to compete with other institutions.



Any new endeavor may be associated with new expenses; however, most of the E-Learning resources are available online worldwide. Other E-Learning programs such as SoftChalk may be purchased to create engaging and interactive learning activities and to facilitate distance learning. The price range of SoftChalk is between $495 and $695 per year for educators.

Adopted from: http://softchalk.combuy-now

http://softchalk.com/buy-now





Another learning management system, Blackboard Learn, is more expensive but worth investing due it’s excellent educational benefits and technical support. Blackboard mobile is also a new application of Blackboard that has recently become very popular among the learners. UCM uses Blackboard system.


Timeline Needed for the Conversion A successful transition to a learning

management system such as Blackboard Learn may approximately take up to one year. The following link indicates the timeline Northern Arizona University needed to change from Blackboard Vista to Blackboard Learn: http://www2.nau.edu/d-elearn/bblearn

http://www2.nau.edu/d-elearn/bblearn/


Timeline Needed for the Conversion The timeline needed for the conversion

also depends on the needs and the projects as well as the number of hours the technology administrators, staff, Information Technology support personnel, and the instructors dedicate to migrate the courses and utilize Blackboard

Adopted from: www.csuci.edu/ats/documents/ci-lms-eval-report.doc


SummaryWhy should We

Implement E-Learning?

Accessible, effective, and prompt education opportunities for all

High quality training for all learners to achieve high performance while resulting in improved productivity

Possible increased enrollment/improved revenue

Helps reduce the costs of training (travel expenses, educational sites’ maintenance, materials, etc.

Bottom line: Improved learning, productivity, revenue, and saving


ReferencesCastle, S. R., & McGuire, C. J. (2010). An analysis of student self-assessment of online, blended, and face-to-face learning environments: Implications for sustainable education delivery. International Education Studies, 3(3), 36-40. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/821817327?accountid=28180

Collins, P. T. (2011). An insider's view to meeting the challenges of blended learning solutions. T+D, 65(12), 56-61.

Education Portal (2013, April 06). Best universities with e-learning programs: List of schools [Web article]. Retrieved from


eLearningNC. (2013, April 21). What is eLearning. [Web article]. Retrieved from http://www.elearningnc.gov/about_elearning/what_is_elearning/

Hill, J. R., Song, L., & West, R. E. (2009). Social learning theory and web-based learning environments: A review of research and discussion of implications. American Journal Of Distance Education, 23(2), 88-103. doi:10.1080/08923640902857713

Moore, D. (2011). Using collaborative online discussion effectively for teaching. Journal of Applied Learning Technology, 1(4), 19-23.

http://www.elearningnc.gov/about_elearning/what_is_elearning/

http://www.elearningnc.gov/about_elearning/what_is_elearning/


ReferencesRoss, L. (2013, March 29). Re: Instructional design review checklist [Electronic mailing list

message]. Retrieved from

http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?trk=eml-anet_dig-b_pd-ttl-cn&gid=110953&view=&ut=2gD-H1SEvYeBI1&srchtype=discussedNews&item=227271979&type=member

S Merugu. (2011, October 05). Getting management buy-in for your e-learning proposal [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://learners.ncu.edu/CourseRoom/Default.aspx?

course_code=EL7002&learner_co urse_id=259689

Tseng, K., & Chu, S. (2010). Traditional versus online courses, efforts, and learning performance. The Journal of Human Resource and Adult Learning, 6(1), 115- 121. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/docview/867266471?accountid=28180


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E-Learning Proposal