Tara Donoghue , Niamh Begley,

Killian Vigna & Denis Cronin

“O G”

4/14/2011

2011E-Learning

Table of Contents1 Introduction

2. Evolution of ELearning.................................................................................................................................................3

2.1 History of ELearning...........................................................................................................................................3

2.2 Usage of ELearning at third level.......................................................................................................................5

2.3 Development and progress................................................................................................................................5

3 E- Learning Medium and interactions..........................................................................................................................6

3.1 Instructional software...........................................................................................................................................6

3.2 Different Medium..................................................................................................................................................8

3.2.1 Video Gaming.................................................................................................................................................8

3.2.2 Audio............................................................................................................................................................10

4 ELearning Software review.........................................................................................................................................11

4.1 Adobe..................................................................................................................................................................11

4.2 - Moodle..............................................................................................................................................................12

5 Advantages and Disadvantages to ELearning.............................................................................................................14

5.1 Advantages..........................................................................................................................................................14

5.1.1 Flexibility......................................................................................................................................................14

5.1.2 Environmental influence..............................................................................................................................14

5.1.3 Little expenses with E-Learning....................................................................................................................14

5.1.4 Advances in technology................................................................................................................................15

5.1.5 Availability of help........................................................................................................................................15

5.2 Disadvantages.....................................................................................................................................................15

5.2.1 Computer knowledge and ability..................................................................................................................15

5.2.2 Isolation........................................................................................................................................................15

5.2.3 Distractions...................................................................................................................................................16

5.2.4 Human interaction and communication.......................................................................................................16

6 Conclusion..................................................................................................................................................................16

7 References..................................................................................................................................................................17

7.1Image References.............................................................................................................................................18

1 I ntroduction

ELearning is “thought of as domains that encompass any activity in which a computer is used to augment(or initiate) a learning or training process.”(Barker and Yeates,1985) . ELearning is used for both studying and by teachers to teach. ELearning applications and processes include web based learning, virtual classroom opportunities and digital forums. As Philip Barker and Harry Yeates said “Learning is the general term used to describe those processes which animal species use in order to acquire the skills necessary to live and exist within their containing environment”.

ELearning is becoming a part of everyday life. It is used all over the developed world by students of all ages and is proving to be very popular with the mature students.

When we were given the list of topics we all agreed that eLearning would be an interesting topic to study and research. ELearning is a big part of our course and is a possible career opportunity one of us may take when we have graduated from our course. It is hugely relevant to our course and we all find it very interesting.

The areas we found to be of most importance are how eLearning has evolved from the 1960’s to2011, from the past right up to this day. We also researched people of importance to eLearning such as Patrick Suppes and Richard Atkinson. As well as how eLearning has evolved we thought it would be important to research the different forms of medium available. We decided to evaluate eLearning products/services Adobe and Moodle for ourselves to find out all the benefits. Finally we listed all of the advantages and disadvantages to the success of eLearning.

2Evolution of Elearning

Computer aided learning is an interactive, computerised form of learning, based on one to one tutorial taught methods using many of today’s easily accessible programs. CAL - as abbreviated – allows the user to take information via the internet, computer based programs, audio and visual methods, by text documents, or even through CD/DVD. Such programs, like Google Scholar, downloading books and articles from Amazon (as one such site) has helped change the way we research materials by reducing a persons time of travelling back and forth to libraries whist trying to meet deadlines.

Computer aided learning (or E-learning as it has become more commonly referred to) hasn’t always been so simple for students and researchers alike.

2.1History of ELearningE-Learning started about 50 years ago, in the 1960's, when two professors, Patrick Suppes and Richard .C. Atkinson decided to revolutionize how we research and learn. Professors Suppes and Atkinson both set about researching the benefits of teaching maths and reading electronically to elementary school kids in California, and thus became the first research based students to be taught an academic subject through means of the computer. The result of this has increased to be able to teach multiple languages and subjects worldwide, like the use of Maple 14 we use to solve maths problems today.

(stanford.edu,1979) (Instructional Technology Foundations) (rca.ucsd, 2007)

In “Instructional Technology: Foundations” (Robert Mills Gagné), talks about the first attempts at introducing Computer Aided Learning into the world. It bases its studies on the application of computers in Universities and Industrial labs in the 1950's and 60's. The first attempt noted was of basic subject studies (such as maths and literature), whilst the second was based on teaching a new form of study and Programming language.

The article tries to distinguish the use of computer aided learning, from that of the previous hands on teaching style. It’s not about how CAL is more advanced and more practical, but about how teaching has changed over time, from one teacher being able to teach, and connect personally with a small group of students, and offer problems and solutions, to the modern day teachers being replaced with a younger crowd, capable of teaching new material, but offering a lesser one on one commitment to students due to limited class times available to teach. Studies covered in this article shows how on average “in a typical 50-minute period, the elementary teacher may spend 20 minutes on administrative matters, 20 minutes on subject-matter presentations to the students, and only 10 minutes working with selected individual students”, leaving very little one on one teacher student communication.

(comcast.net, 2011)

The next big step taken in computer aided learning was from another professor William .D. Graziadei, an E-Learning production specialist and State University of New York professor. It was professor Graziadei that produced the first email delivered tutorial assessments for his lectures. The equivalent of his achievement today is such addresses as Hotmail. These are used by lectures and students in Universities and Colleges across the globe to send and receive updates on coursework materials.

In “E-Learning 2.0” by Stephen Downes he talks about the adaption of E-learning from the beginning. He describes how previously E-Learning was associated with nothing more than online courses, or degrees offered by various colleges. Web 2.0 was first lead by drafting users in with its capability of compacting files and relevant information

into one easy to access area. However, like everything else today, it had to expand in order to keep users interested and active, resulting in the development of Web 2.0.

The author talks about the first signs of E-Learning transforming from what was called "the Read Web" to the “Read-Write Web” due to the introduction of social networking sites. These site allowed users to actively engage in online communications with other users via photos, videos, or blogging. Downes explains how “In a nutshell, what was happening was that the Web was shifting from being a medium, in which information was transmitted and consumed, into being a platform in which content was created, shared, remixed, repurposed, and passed along”

He then discusses the use of Wikis and other community blogs in classrooms.They have expanded to suit needs of students being able to post their own assignments and materials, thus allowing them to share with class mates and lectures, and be able to receive comments on their “Wikis”

(Beginners Computer Training Lessons 2009)

2.2Usage of ELearning at third levelThere have also been many online networking portals set up by individual college’s nowdays. Such networking portals include the University of Limericks own SULIS and CSIS portals. SULIS is a portal allowing lectures to post assignments, tutorial and lecture slides and notes, also project grades, where registered only students can access and join in on discussions of coursework materials. Again we have CSIS (Computer Science Information Systems) where lectures can also post relevant materials, homework, and assignments to their students

2.3Development and progressSince the development and rise of Web 2.0 in the late 90's and early 2000, we have seen a mass increase in E-Learning due to the introduction of online web blogs like “blogger.com” and “Wiki” pages (just to name a few). These online sites allow anyone to share their knowledge to a wide community. There is also the development of audio / visual sites, like “YouTube”. Not only do sites like YouTube provide entertaining viral videos, but also educational clips, from a 5 minute video clip of learning how to play the guitar, to an hour and a half of footage featuring a science lesson by Stephen Hawking.

3 E- Learning Medium and interactions

Based on our research of different interactions and medium in which people can learn through computer aided learning tools It was apparent that there are many ways in which someone can do this. Based on this research it was obvious that there is an ever growing list of different programmes in which people can interact and learn through their computer. I also found many forms of electronic medium from cognitive tutors to audio podcasts.

3.1 Instructional softwareTrough out all of our research since the start of this project we found most of my information on this instructional software. This is software used as an educational tool. There is much different software available that present a number of different ways in which the person can interact with the computer such as tutorials, problem solving, simulations, etc. Even though each program is different they all use the same principle of interacting with the user. These methods were found most effective as the student was able to move at their own pace. (McPherson 2004) Image you are a student learning how to type for the first time. You are presented with all the information you need on a pile of sheets or you are in a class of 30 and the teacher is moving at a constant pace and a student gets stuck in a certain part. If this happens to many students you end up just sitting there as the teacher explains something you already know the ins and outs of, Yes this may help you remember more but it moves at a very slow pace. While if you use some sort or instructional software you are not overwhelmed by all this information you are presented with as it comes in a step by step guide, on a drill and practise basis this refreshes the students memory while not wasting any unnecessary time on learning what you already know. This time can now be used for the areas in which you are experiencing most difficulty in.

(Master Key, 2007) (screen shot, 2007)

Studies have shown that if a person is presented with the information and ask to learn it off and just proved the answer at the end they get a lesser understanding than if they are presented with the information step by step and asked to explain their finding and how they came about their solution the person also had a greater understanding of the subject.

Abstract from “Tuning Cognitive Tutors into a Platform for Learning-by-Teaching” (Matsuda 2010)

We also see that the environment in which this student is in is very important so such software has a class room designed environment in which the information is presented neat and tidy in order for the students maximum concentration. And this is more important as this information given to the student can be accessed from many different mediums such as mobiles and basically anywhere with any internet connection.

We found that there has to be great interaction between to people studying and the computer as the less interaction the more detached the person becomes with the information they start losing concentration and there mind starts to wander.A cognitive tutor which is a human like tutor really helps the person concentrate and feel involved in the learning process. Again it is another key factor that the person feels involved in their learning. Therefore such things such as quizzes and tutorials are a great help.

As there are so many different ways in which software has evolved in e-learning we found certain software particularly interesting in which not only would the person take quizzes and tests at the end of each section to make sure they knew the information and if they were unable to answer the questions they were set back to continue the drill-practice method. "CALICO Software Review."

There are certain software in which it keeps notes and track of your tests and score so the person can look back and see their strengths and weaknesses.Throughout we thaught this was great as it is more interaction as it as if the computer knows you’re certain strengths and weaknesses so when it comes to revising it is easy to concentrate on the certain parts you are having difficulties with. (John R. Anderson 1995)

3.2 Different Medium

3.2.1 Video Gaming As you may know already with this ever growing technology in the world there are many different medium in which to interact with and gain greater knowledge. So I have taken a look at a just a small few things available out there. Well firstly there is learning through video games again this type of learning uses many of the things a have mentioned in my above statement. When playing these video games it involves the user and gets them interacting with the information and learning through doing. (Michael and Soloway 2004)

“Historically, computers have been usedin education primarily as tools for supportingdrill and practice for factual recall (Jonassen1988). Drill and practice games such as Alga-

Blaster, Reader Rabbit, or Knowledge Munchershave been popular because they can easily be

integrated into a traditional, didactic curriculumas “enrichment exercises” during independentstudy time. Good drill and practice games use

the “action” genre of video games to engage learners “

This is an abstract from Video Games in Education, Kurt Squire

An important factor in the learning process for children is that they feel involved and more importantly in controller. Therefore it is evident that video gaming is proved to be a very good way in which small children or even adults can learn as it also involves some fun in which keeps the user concentrated on the information and most importantly it involves the user.

(V reader,2009) (Fun math games time attack, 2010)

Overview of research on the educational use of video games

Author(s) Year Genre N Subject Results

Levin (1981) Action – Math Video games are motivating, engaging, and ultimately successful in teaching children the planned maths concepts. Video games may be especially suitable for teaching ways of approaching maths that cater to individual differences.

White (1984) Simulation 32 Physics Playing the game improves students’ problem-solving ability related to physics in relation to how force influences motion.

Forsyth & Lancy

(1987) Adventure 120 Geography The adventure game results in children learning geographic locations with strong retention.

Dowey (1987) Puzzle 203 Dental health

Children learn best from a combination of teaching and video games. Although they learn about dental hygiene, this does not transfer into change of everyday practice. Page 189

McMullen (1987) – 37 Science The drill-and-practice video game does not have any effect on

the learning outcome, neither short-term nor long-term. However, students playing the video game indicate that they believe they learn more.

Jolicoeur & Berger

(1998a; 1998b)

Fractions Spelling

Students learn from video games, but educational software is more effective.

Wiebe & Martin

(1994) Adventure 109 Geography There is no difference in learning geography facts and attitudes between video games and teaching activities not on a computer.

Sedighian and Sedighian

(1996) Strategy 200 Math The learning outcome is critically affected by teachers’ integration of video games and traditional teaching, but video games prove highly effective.

Betz (1995) Strategy 24 Engineer Video games increase motivation and learning among students.

Thomas et al. (1997) Adventure 211 Sex education

Students learn from playing video games both on specific knowledge items and in self-efficacy.

Brown et al. (1997) Action 59 Diabetes The study finds that children can learn about diabetes from video games and change everyday habits.

Klawe (1998) Adventure 200 Math Video games are effective in teaching students about maths.

Adams (1998) Strategy 46 Urban geography

Video games increase motivation and teach students about the role of urban planners (affective learning).

Bensen et al. (1999) Sexual education

Video games are motivating and can improve knowledge related to sexual education.

Noble et al. 2000 Action 101 Drug education

Students taught through video games find the experience motivating and want to play the video game again.

Din Feng & Caleo

(2000) – 47 Spelling and math

Children who play video games learn (mostly in spelling) better compared to peers who do not use video games.

Turnin et al. (2000) – 2000 Eating habits

Video games can teach students about eating habits and lead to significant change in everyday habits.

Lieberman 2001 Action Asthma, diabetes,

A review of a number of research projects supports the notion of learning from video games.

Becker (2001) Action – Program-ming

The study testifies to the increased motivation in connection with video games. Games are found to be more effective and motivating than traditional teaching. Page 190

McFarlane et al.

2002 – – All subjects The study finds that teachers in general are skeptical towards the learning of content with video games. However, teachers appreciate the learning of general skills.

Gander (2002) Strategy 29 Program-ming

The study finds that video games are especially effective for teaching specific knowledge.

Rosas et al. (2003) Action 1274 Reading and math

Video games increase motivation, and there is a transfer of competence in technology from using the video game.

Squire et al. (2004) Simulation 96 Physics Students using the simulation game performed better compared to the control group.

Egenfeldt-Nielsen

(2005) Strategy 72 History Students initially learn the same in history when using video games but have better retention.

This is an abstract from Overview of research on the educational use of video games

By Simon Egenfeldt-Nielsen (Egenfeldt-Nielsen 2006)

3.2.2 AudioWe found that there are many different audio learning tools out there from just simply podcasts to speech recognition. Podcasts and CD’s can be helpfully and easily available there is really no interaction between the user and the information they are just being fed the information. Studies have shown there is great important in visual information. There was a certain experiment carried out by where the students would be taught trough just a lecturer and another where the lecturer would use the visually learning tool of power point where he would just have simple points on the information he was trying to teach. And the result was quite clear that there was a much higher success rate in the subjects where visual information was used. Therefore due to lack of involvement and interaction to the audio medium it’s much less successful than some of the software I have mentioned above. (Keegan)

(Radius™ Audio Learning System, 2008) (Declan's Italian Flashcards,2006)

"CALICO Software Review."

Keegan, S. N. "Importance of Visual Images in Lectures: Case Study on Tourism Management Students."

Visual images are increasingly being used in learning and teaching resources, especially with access

to quality digital images in web-based materials. This paper explores the effectiveness of including

images in teaching materials in improving students’ learning experiences in mass lectures. This study

confirmed the importance of using images to assist students make visual associations and, more

importantly, remain focused in lectures. The appropriateness of the images being utilised is crucial to

enforce the effectiveness of this practice. Images can be used to promote positive learning experiences

for students when used in ways that are consistent with the cognitive theory of visual learning.

4 ELearning Software review

There are many different types of eLearning software available which offer a huge range of services. Some are free and some are extremely expensive. The two types that will be compared below are Adobe and Moodle, very different types of eLearning but both equally useful for anyone with an interest in learning with a difference.

4.1 AdobeAdobe Creative Suite, package includes many applications for different aspects of working creatively, it is a presentation creation package. These applications include:

(Adobe Logo 2009)

• Photoshop • InDesign • Flash catalyst

• Flash professional • Dream weaver • Fireworks

• Acrobat • Bridge • Device central

(Warnock, 2011)

This software is not free but if you are a student you can purchase it for a lot less than the regular user. There are certain rules when it comes to buying the student version. As Adobe is “up to 80% cheaper" they want to be sure you are entitled to this version of the software.

It is not a fault free package. But the eLearning package pros outweigh the cons. Adobe in their online sales pitch lists all the things that this package is capable of teaching you to do. They claim to offer you the following. The tools for crafting Eye-catching images, Eye-catching graphics, Print materials, Digital Documents, Standards-based websites, Interactive content. (Warnock, 2011) To judge if this package is a good piece of software the reviewer should keep these in mind.

It is clear that Adobe does contain nearly every tool for editing digital images and creating layouts for print and web. It allows you to create interactive animation and also desktop applications. It is well designed for print and web page designers, graphics professionals and animators. It however does not offer the correct tools for video creation.

It is relativity easy to learn how to use components such as Flash and Photoshop as they were designed for performing more basic ideas. Some of the other components are too tricky to pick up the skill without any assistance. There are many easy to follow tutorials online to help though. They are mainly home videos on YouTube, but they are still very effective ways of helping. This of course is another way of eLearning! This is a breakdown of the key components:

(Adobe Apps 2009)

• InDesign for print – a desktop publishing program

• Dreamweaver & Fireworks for dynamic Web Design – web site authoring programs

• Flash for animation – You can assemble, create, animate, and interact with content, such as images, text, audio, and video (Hartman, 2008)

• Photoshop & Illustrator for pixel & vector graphics – graphics and vector graphics editing programs

To help eLearners “Adobe has unified the interfaces of all the applications for a more seamless experience makes it so much easier to feel comfortable the package”. It can put you off your learning if you move from one application or another and all the tools have been moved. This feature helps to speed up the learning process. “Also the Pull-down menus with pre-set styles that enable you to shift among work space layouts quickly” (Warnock, 2011) is a very good feature to have in eLearning software as it makes everything faster and smoother for the student. This is a good package for creation of content but has some serious difficulties in parts. There are some other aspects to the eLearning process which this package does not contribute to. For example chat rooms and chat forums. This toolset does not provide for those capabilities, whereas a site like Moodle does!

4.2 - MoodleThe second eLearning software is very different from Adobe. Moodle is known as an open source course management system (CMS). It has become very popular among educators around the world for their students.

Basically “Moodle is a free learning management system that enables you to create powerful, flexible, and engaging online learning experiences.” (Rice, 2008)

(Moodle Logo 2008)

Moodle is a way of giving educators the best tools to manage and promote learning. All of these tools are very different to Adobe. They are both eLearning but use very different methods to communicate their knowledge. There are many ways to use Moodle:

• Moodle has a feature, which allows it to be redistributed to hundreds of thousands of students. Yet it can also be used for primary schools.

• Many institutions use it as their platform to conduct fully online courses, or face-to-face courses.

• Many other users like to use the activity modules, such as forums, databases and wikis to build collaborative communities of learning.

• Others prefer to use Moodle to deliver contents to students and assessment learning using assignments or quizzes.

(Dougiamas , 2009)

(Moodle Screenshot 2011)

Another huge difference between Adobe and Moodle is of course that it is free. To work, it needs to be installed on a web server somewhere, either on a web hosting server or your own computer.

What are the major pros and cons of Moodle from a student perspective?

• Pros – “One of the advantages of Moodle is that it has been developed as an Open Source software project. It is entirely supported by a team of programmers and by the user community. This also means that Moodle is available free of charge.” (Brandl, 2005) Students have pretty good control over their view via student profile options. Most functions work as "expected" so students have little difficulty getting going. There is a help icon button next to an input or a menu provides a popup window with an explanation of what is required and how it works. There is also a wide range of learning facilities all aimed at helping the learning process.

• Cons - currently Moodle does not provide a good student guide, so students do not have documentation and/or support. This is only a problem for a few students who really like formal training or detailed written instructions and is not comfortable just trying it. (Driscoll, D 2010)

All of these Pros and Cons are very different to Adobe, but equally important. This software is becoming more and more important in the world of education today. It shall increase in the years to come also.

Over all any package that offers to help students to educate themselves without the pressure of the classroom or the lecture hall, is a good one. These two in particular not only a help to students, it teaches them to do things, in a way, which is extremely creative and interesting. It makes them want to learn more! With packages like these more and more people will be self-educating which is always a positive thing

5 Advantages and Disadvantages to ELearning

There are many advantages to ELearning, the list goes on and on and all these make ELearning the great success it is today. However unfortunately, with the advantages must also come the disadvantages, with the pros must come the cons.

5.1 Advantages

5.1.1 FlexibilityOne of the biggest advantages to ELearning and most likely reason for its great success all over the world in all age groups is that it offers the user flexibility. The student can use online materials for study whenever and wherever they wish on many devices. It allows the student the chance to studying their free time at the pace they feel comfortable. It offers the mature student flexibility to work around work and family time. (Balchunas, 2010) The Student can plan his/her study plan around there life and in their free time. The student can simply Sit down to a computer in their own home and start learning about anything. ELearning allows students to go at a steady pace at which they feel comfortable, this is a big contrast to the normal classroom situation where the student must work at the speed of the class and often falls behind due to lack of encouragement, classroom distractions and little self-esteem. If a student falls behind they can student can go over repeat or redo the work if they wish.

5.1.2 Environmental influenceWhat often slips peoples mind is the environment. Believe it or not ELearning is somewhat saving the environment. Everyday thousands of trees are being cut down and the world’s natural resources are beginning to run out due to over consumption or paper. ELearning means that the student no longer has to travel long distances in order to be educated and study. The advantage of learning at home means you are saving money and helping the environment at the same time. Huge numbers if trees are being cut down every year to provide schools and college with learning material such as books and exam papers. Now all the material you need is available online electrically. (Fuller, 2009)

(Virtuoso, 2010)

5.1.3 Little expenses with E-LearningThose who choose to study at home save a lot of money. There is no necessary expenditure on books, uniform or other materials. Those who study at home avoid having to pay the high costs of attending college for there is no huge registration fee and tutor prices can often be sky high. The cost is far less than that or a normal class. Everyday hundreds of videos and online tutorials are being uploaded to the internet and are open for anybody to access.

5.1.4 Advances in technology. Luckily internet access is available almost everywhere 24/7 in developed countries such as Ireland and the UK. (Jones, 2007) The internet can now be accessed wirelessly. Internet access is available in restaurants, shopping centres, cafes and buses are now availing. This makes life easier for the student who has opted to ELearning as they can now study when traveling or away from their home wirelessly and at no extra cost. The continuous development of the World Wide Web, networks, and fast connection computers makes the availability of learning and studying online available to people 24 hours a day and at ease. “Virtual Reality simulations and games offer the potential for providing an effective Web-based learning environment” (O’Neil, Perez, 2008)

5.1.5 Availability of helpA big advantage is that there is always help. If the student is struggling they can avail of discussion boards, (Balchunas, 2010) videos on YouTube. Discussion boards allow the student to post comments and queries and onlookers can answer the problem if they know the answer. The student can then decide to use the advice from one of the responses. Students often find that they can be of help to other students also. YouTube and other video sites provide step by step tutorials.

(DIR, 2010)

5.2 Disadvantages

We all know that with the good things in life also comes the bad. Unfortunately with ELearning there are also disadvantages. These include the person struggling if they do not have the basic computer skills; it is an isolated way of learning, lack of self-motivation leads to falling behind, no face to face tuition, lack of human interaction and many more.

5.2.1 Computer knowledge and abilityWorking your way around the internet and a computer can be both challenging and intimidating to the user when they have little experience. Even though the price is far less than the traditional classroom you made need computer classes first to learn basic skills if you have difficulty manoeuvring your way around technology. This has been proven to be a big disadvantage to mature students who unfortunately did not get the chance to be taught IT in school as it simply was not available. As technology is continuously improving and paper and books in education are becoming obsolete due to the taking over of technology mature students often struggle.

5.2.2 IsolationPeople often do not succeed as well as they would in a normal classroom due to the isolation that comes with learning at home than that of a community such as a classroom. (Harriman, 2011). Often people like the comfort of learning within a friendly environment and being surrounded by those they know. Often students excel on the work of other students. The feeling of success helps encourage learning and interest. Helping others who learn from your encouragement also gives the student more confidence.

(News.com.au, 2009)

5.2.3 DistractionsBy choosing ELearning the student is opening themselves to the millions of distractions online. Social networking sites such as Facebook often effect student’s results and are a big hindrance to learning. Often students who find work difficult avail of theses online services to comfort them when they cannot achieve. The risk of learning from home is that you do not have someone who will watch over your shoulder and stop you from using these distractions. It has been proven that sites such as Facebook have hugely impacted student’s education in a bad way and often effect exam results and are no way beneficial for life. The lack of self-motivation results in students falling behind and having to pick up. Often this results to people giving up as the work load becomes too big.

(Personal Picture, 2011)

5.2.4 Human interaction and communicationHuman interaction is often an important contributor to a student’s success (Berenson, Boyles, Weaver, 2008). Unfortunately there is not a teacher available 24/7 to show you what to do or answer your questions. Often being instructed is a big help to someone. Often students find this to be intimidating as they are completely alone when stuck in difficult situations and have to avail of information on discussion boards which may not be instant, direct and clear. Students often find it difficult when they cannot copy off a friend and avail of their help.

There are many more pros and cons to ELearning. Technology is continuously improving and is a massive multi billion euro success. Overall I feel that your success of learning with the help of technology depends on the person themselves. If the person is motivated than they will have no problem in reaching their goals.

6 ConclusionFrom our studies we have become even more aware of the values of eLearning! Our report shows where it all started, the ways in which we can use eLearning, the advantages and disadvantages of eLearning and some reviews of popular forms of eLearning. This group project has helped us to discover the importance of eLearning and the huge impact it has had on all students’ lives. Things that we have always taken for granted in our educational lives have only recently been instated. The idea of living without them has never accrued to us until doing this research project. Over all we feel that eLearning is an extremely important part of life today and it shall only ever improve our society!

7 References

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Caitlina Fuller, August 11, 2009, Advantages and Disadvantages to eLearning

Karen L. Jones, June 15, 2007 , The Advantages of eLearning

Vaughn Balchunas, Distance Learning Advantages and Disadvantages - Not everyone is Suited for E-Learning Success

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7.1 Image References

• Adobe(2009) Adobe Logo [image online], available: http://www.adobe.com/ie/ [accessed 13 Apr 2011]

• Adobe(2009) Adobe Apps [image online], available: http://www.adobe.com/ie/ [accessed 13 Apr 2011]

• Moodle(2008) Moodle Logo[image online], available: http://moodle.org/ [accessed 13 Apr 2011]

• Moodle(2011) Moodle Screenshot [image online], available: http://moodle.org/about/ [ accessed 13 Apr 2011]

• Richard .C. Atkinson. (2007). Richard .C. Atkinson [image online], available: http://www.rca.ucsd.edu/images/atkinson.jpg. [accessed 14th April 2011].

• Patrick Suppes, Intellectual Autobiography. (1979). Patrick Suppes [image online] available: http://www.stanford.edu/~psuppes/patricksuppes1.jpg. [accessed 14th April 2011].

• William D. Graziadei III. (2007). William D. Graziadei III [image online], available: http://wgraziadei.home.comcast.net/~wgraziadei/billg6.jpg. [accessed 14th April 2011].

Beginners Computer Training Lessons. (2009). Basic Computer Skills – Learn Computer Basic Skills And Learning How To Use Computers Faster [image online], available: http://www.learncomputerfast.com/articles/basic-computer-skills/. [ accessed 14th April 2011].

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Learning for All Ages (2008) Radius™ Audio Learning System [image online], available: http://www.learningforallages.com/images/LER6910w3.jpg [accessed 07 April 2011].

Bestesoft (2006) Declan's Italian Flashcards [image online], available: http://www.bestesoft.com/imgbest/3/0/italian_flashcards_popup.gif [accessed 07 April 2011].

OnSoftware Blog (2007) Master Key [image online], available:

http://static.sftcdn.net/blog/en/2010/03/masterkey.png [accessed 07 April 2011].

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http://static.sftcdn.net/blog/en/2010/03/masterkey.png [accessed 07 April 2011].

DIR- Department of information Resources(2010) [image online] available at: http://www2.dir.state.tx.us/management/strategy/bpr/Pages/rpt_elearning.aspx

New.com.au(2009) Computer isolation [image online] available at: http://www.news.com.au/technology/technology-doesnt-cause-social-isolation-pew-study/story-e6frfro0-1225794913325

Virtuoso(2010)[image online] available at: http://www.virtuoso.co.uk