Online learning can offer a wide range of benefits. However, the knowledge that a student is able to acquire this way depends upon not only the course material that is offered but also the practices used to provide them with the necessary information. Here are just a few of the best practices of online training which help to better facilitate the elearning process.
A supportive elearning environment and community. Teachers and elearning establishments should encourage a strong sense of community amongst their online students. This will enable students to interact with one another and the instructors, as well as with the resources provided, which will make for an enhanced educational experience.
Clear expectations between pupil and teacher. Students should be aware of what they will be receiving from the virtual class instruction, and both parties should know the preferred method of communication and delivery of the core curriculum. For example, a teacher may prefer to email assignments to students, while another might choose to deliver it via the elearning site instead. Also, it’s best to have clear expectations about how long each item of coursework should take to complete.
Utilization of asynchronous and synchronous activities. It’s important to incorporate activities that are more interactive, as well as those that require the student to brainstorm and research a topic in depth. Thanks to the internet students can now attend virtual live courses, as well as complete coursework offline that can enable them to delve into a specific subject or skill set.
Use of all of the online resources that are available. To get the most out of the elearning experience both the teacher and the student should take full advantage of the resources that are available online. It’s best if instructors use the platform that has been designed to administer coursework and interact with the student, while the student should be able to fully benefit from their virtual education by using the research tools and curriculum that is available to them.
Online training can allow teachers to directly connect with their students without any of the limitations that are generally placed upon the educational process by traditional instruction methods. What’s more, when best practices are utilized students have access to a wealth of information quickly and conveniently, anywhere and at any time. This can ensure that the elearning system is mutually beneficial.
