PGDEL/DECP05/Unit2/Ch03.07

= DECP 05: Developing e-Content =

The SCORM Run-Time Environment
Asynchronous Mode

Asynchronous or self study learning; consists of content that is available online at any time that the student wants to access it. Is where communication, collaboration and learning can occur in different time and different place, and users can select when they wish to communicate. Based on the developed techniques of networking, asynchronous learning is split up into on-line and off-line status.

*	Off-line Learning Computer-Aided Instruction (CAI) is a typical method of off-line learning. In general, the content of CAI — text, graphs, pictures, audio and video are stored in a CD-ROM. Recent product a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) - ROM is capable to store seven times more capacities than a CD-ROM. Therefore, these two kinds of disks are basic storage for off-line learning. In general, interactive response on off-line state is faster than on-line state. Once the contents have been stored, editing is not allowable. Hence, it is suitable to construct the core courses that are well developed fundamental curriculum.

*	On-line Learning The content of on-line learning is built by the hypermedia technique, which is stored in the network computer server. Students can study or review the contents from the web site at anytime. There are two types of data sources, the static type based on text, graphs and pictures combined as the auxiliary parts of the resources to provide the leaner a complete concept. The second is dynamic involve motion pictures, associated texts, matched sounds etc. The static resources require less bandwidth than the dynamic content; however, it lacks sense of reality that enables the learners get a whole picture of the subject. On the other hand, the latter type enables the learners’ to feel the sense of reality. Students would pay more attention on the subjects due to the colourful and diversified environment; hence the outcome is better than the former one. But, huge amount of data and slow transmission speed of the net are its weaknesses. Contents are allowed to renew at anytime, therefore, it always remains up-to-date.

Synchronous Mode

Synchronous learning; is generally occurring in real-time with highly interactive and structurally dynamically characteristics, is led by the instructor. Allows people to interact with each other at the same time in different places, synchronous e-Learning imitates a classroom, which means classes take place in real-time and connect instructors and students via streaming audio or video or through a conference room. Synchronous learning requires the presence of both parties at the same time for the learning to take place. Therefore, it is also referred to as live or real-time interaction. Discussion between students and instructor is ongoing in real time via the system equipment. Instructor and students may not meet each other face-to-face. Moreover, the common source of content is distributed to learners at the same time in different places, that avoiding repetition work of the lecture. The environment is named Videoconference Classroom. Although it has several advantages, steady and wide bandwidth network configuration is absolutely needed. The most important advantages of synchronous learning are immediate feedbacks and more motivation and obligation to be present and participate.

Blended Learning

Blended learning also called hybrid learning, is the mixing and integration of different learning delivery approaches including classroom and e-Learning to create a single learning programme. This mode meets the needs of larger numbers of students and teachers, and seems to be a key component of the more successful uses of ICT.

To complement traditional methods of delivery, e-Learning is often being used in a blended manner. The term blended learning is used to describe a solution that combines several different delivery methods. These can be a mix of various event-based activities such as face to face classrooms, self-paced leaning (asynchronous), and synchronous. A mixture of face-to-face and e-Learning is known as hybrid or blended e-Learning. With blended learning, technology-delivered learning and the classroom come together to generate the best possible offering. Past patterns suggest that the likely future will be neither solely depend on online learning nor solely depend on instructor-led classroom learning. It appears that the hybrid or blended models most frequently emerge as the most effective learning strategies.. Determining the right blend of technology-delivered and classroom-based learning is almost like perfecting a recipe. The real situation for secondary schools in Tanzania is that there is nothing e- in the education system, there is need to look for better ways of delivering the instruction in order to solve the problems faced.

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