Simply put, online learning refers to learning and other supportive resources that are available through a computer。89687

In an online lesson, the computer displays material in response to a learner’s request。 The computer prompts the learner for more information, and presents appropriate material based on the learner’s response。

The material can be as simple as lessons from a classroom course and accompanying tests that are transcribed into a computer program, or as complex as a program that tracks user input and suggests appropriate learning material。 It can be a work session that occurs on a computer, in which case the learning is a byproduct of the experience, or it can be designed for purposes other than learning, in which learners go through it with a goal of extracting particular content。来自优Y尔L论W文Q网wWw.YouERw.com 加QQ7520~18766

The material can be presented as text, graphics,  animated graphics (that is, graphics that move), audio, video, or a combination of any of these。

At the end of this topic, you can link to examples of simple and complex online learning materials, each of which makes use of a variety of media。

What Does Online Learning Look Like?

This book is designed as a reference rather than a course, but it has an educational purpose。 In its online form, it is all about the most basic form of online learning: some text, simple graphics, and a limited amount of interaction。

More-complex online learning will involve a larger amount of intentional interaction than hyperlinks。 This interaction might include drills such as those used to teach rote mathematics skills or make sure that workers know and follow safety procedures when working with toxic chemicals。 More-complex systems include simulations such as aircraft simulators or fictitious situations involving medical patients or management challenges in the workplace。源Q于W优E尔A论S文R网wwW.yOueRw.com 原文+QQ75201,8766

Computers offer so much flexibility and variety, making online learning versatile and flexible, as well。 Examples of more-complex forms of online learning courses are regularly scheduled lectures by video conference on the Internet; a Web page with supplemental materials such as videos of previous lessons; discussions outside of class by electronic mail; and online tests whose results are automatically recorded in student records。

Finally, online learning can be used to teach any subject。 Subjects such as technical training and lower-order thinking skills (such as memorization) lend themselves most easily to online learning。 But imaginative course designers have successfully taught all sorts of other subjects online: courses on compliance with equal opportunity laws, screenwriting, leadership skills for business managers, how to make scientific and technical presentations, and delivering courteous customer service, to name a few。

How Does Online Learning Compare with Distance Learning?

People often use the term distance learning to refer to online learning。

Actually, online learning is just one form of distance learning。

According to the United States Distance Learning Association, distance learning is any type of educational situation in which the instructor and students are separated by time or location。 Correspondence courses and courses by television are forms of distance learning。

How Does Online Learning Compare with E-learning, Web-based Training, and Computer-based Training?

People often interchange online learning with the terms e-learning,

Web-based training, computer-based training, computer-based instruction, and technology-based instruction。 Actually, each of these is a form of online learning, and each term has a specific meaning, but some terms are synonymous。

• Online learning in its broadest form refers to all types of learning that takes place via computer。