The Pros and Cons of Online Education

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You’re thinking about furthering your career or finally getting your college degree. But with so many educational choices online, how do you know whether it’s right for you? Here are some pointers you should consider, before making your decision.

There are many perks associated with online study. Unlike traditional learning, distance learning can offer you greater flexibility, as you don’t have to waste time- and money- commuting to the campus and you can choose a program that truly suits your interests or professional needs, because you are not confined to the classes that are offered locally.

Another advantage to distance learning is the fact that you can continue to work, because you don’t have to worry about fitting your classes around your job schedule. This is a distinct advantage over traditional methods of learning, because this option allows you to continue earning while you study. Online programs often cost less than their traditional counterparts, so you can save money on tuition, if you pursue your degree through an online university.

Online study is also a great option for those students with physical handicaps, which may prevent them from travelling to a traditional campus. Likewise, if you are shy, or perhaps even language-challenged, participating in an online course may be the perfect alternative to a live class.

There are some drawbacks to online education, however. For example, traditional instructors may not successfully make the transition from the classroom to the online platform and it can sometimes be difficult for them to transfer course content or offer additional support to the students.

While the technological aspects of online learning can make the courses more interesting and interactive, some students may not have the computer hardware to support the specific programs required for the class. Many courses require DSL or a high-speed internet connection in order for the student to interact effectively with the instructor or other students. Similarly, online learning can rob the student of the conventional aspects of classroom interaction, such as being able to talk to the instructor or the other students, face-to-face.

In spite of the drawbacks, however, many new and returning students are opting to study via distance learning and are finding it to be a very rewarding experience.

Progressive Trends in E-Learning

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Consequent to the e-learning concepts and programmes gaining popularity with each passing day, the demand for the services to convert Flash Animation to HTML5 has also risen to new heights. To a poser on this conversion over the Google, plethora of suggestions and answers appear. It is always wise to seek the solutions provided by a professional IT company that is engaged in developing numerous animation programmes including e-learning processes.

Indeed, it has become all the more important since the topic and the illustration or graphics have to reach the target audience across varieties of devices, platforms, and browsers. And considering the fact that HTML 5 is the key digital technology, utmost attention is needed vis-à-vis the conversion becoming accessible from diverse media of smartphones and tables, irrespective of flash compatibility of the device.

On this score, reputed companies have the relevant expertise to offer these services with an element of value added to the content. As for development of new content, these companies have mastered the art as evident from the scores of end-users at home as well as abroad. The hallmark of their services lies in the art of conceptualising an enriched interactive content that could range from the K-12 (kindergarten to XII standard) segment to university level courses and corporate training modules. It is the animator’s artistry that infuses an element of life in all these programmes that are basically converted through CSS and JS languages.

As for the corporate training programmes, the client’s objectives are analysed in detail to specifically identify the various themes. With focus on enhanced productivity, the compilers of the training material draft the content to be highly interactive and visually appealing. With the aid of SCORM compliant software, this content is further developed and delivered in both Flash and HTML5 formats. Both these versions are tested and perfected to be compatible with all popular platforms.

Incidentally, SCORM, acronym for Sharable Content Object Reference Model, has been accepted worldwide as ideal software of interoperable technical standards for e-learning products. Although, a defence-related programme of Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) under Pentagon, this software has found extensive applications in the civil arena as never before, particularly in e-learning. It also governs how online learning content and Learning Management Systems (LMSs) interlink and interact with each other, purely in technical parlance.

Regarded as a forerunner in e-learning technology, recently a reputed company has published a report on the global e-learning market scenario and projected encouraging figures for the period 2016-2017. It was based on in-depth study that revealed the worldwide market for Self-Paced E-Learning which stood at $35.6 billion in 2014 has witnessed fast paced compounded growth rate of 7.6% to reach over $51.5 billion by 2016.

What Pedagogue Should a Mathematics Teacher Used to Cater for Different Learning Styles?

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Universal secondary education is the norm in most parts of the world with most students graduating from secondary school. Most students will continue to study Mathematics in some form right to the end of their secondary schooling.

This means that the teacher of Mathematics must have an expanded group of pedagogue to use in the classroom to cater for the different learning styles of the whole school population as suggested by Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences. This article will detail many types of pedagogue that can be successfully used in the Mathematics classroom.

Let me begin by saying that “Chalk and talk”/teacher lecture has its place within the teaching pedagogue along with doing practice exercises.

The important issue is to keep students engaged in their learning of Mathematics by making it life related wherever possible. The new syllabuses contain new topics that relate well to real life situations.

There are many strategies that a teacher may use to engage the students but they must fit the topic being taught.

Here are a few ideas:

  • Team teaching. Different teachers approach topics from different angles unconsciously thus giving students a wider view of the topic. Sometimes another teacher might have an expertise in the topic under investigation.
  • A guest speaker adds a real life dimension to the topic under discussion.
  • Computer lesson using software especially with Functions often lessens the time to create an understanding of the topic with students;
  • An internet lesson;
  • Library research especially on a new topic;
  • An excursion;
  • Hands on lessons;
  • Doing a survey as part of a statistics unit;
  • A film, video, or DVD lesson;
  • A Quiz is a great way to revise particularly if there is a competitive element to it.
  • Setting up a revision program to help teach students how to prepare for an examination.
  • A practice exam with a review.
  • Regular, short sharp fun problem solving exercises
  • Play on words to teach students to think “outside the box”.
  • Assessment that reflect the teaching pedagogue.

Incorporating different pedagogue in a lesson adds interest and keeps the students involved looking for the next episode in the lesson. There is little chance of the students or the teacher getting bored with the lesson or being distracted.