Online Learning: 
aka Distance Learning

First Published: February 2000
Last Update: September 2004
Author: Computer Partners

Prologue:

The following article is still current, however while it talks almost exclusively about the corporate use of online learning, the current phenomenon is the individual use of distance learning. Universities and schools of all types are offering training, degrees and ceretification across the internet.

We plan to update this article shortly to more closely reflect today's online learning environment. If this subject interests you check back soon to read the latest information.

The original article follows:

The inability of business to keep employees' skills up to speed has driven the online educational market.

John Chambers, the president and CEO of Cisco Systems Inc., was reported in Online News in November as saying that, electronic learning will become so important in corporations that it will actually surpass electronic commerce as a priority.

In the same article he was quoted as saying that, `"the thing that's slowing down our momentum in any market right now is our ability to educate our employees quickly... technology is moving too fast for companies' traditional hire-and-train methods to work.... Electronic learning is too important, the payback too large, for corporations to ignore it."'

Earlier this month Judith Mottl reported the results of an InformationWeek Research survey that included the participation of 300 Information Technology executives. The survey concluded that over 50 per cent had ranked distance learning as the key business priority this year.

She said that businesses have done their homework and know "that conventional classroom instruction costs hover at about $75 an hour, with full-week programs costing $3,000 to $5,000." Online training costs about half that amount. More importantly, as she points out, training via the Web provides a global distribution.

She also quoted Robert Vicek, project manager of Lockheed Martin Corp.'s corporate university as saying that, `"The main reason we're heading [to distance learning] is that it's extremely hard to find the right person today. You just can't hire them, so you have to do something radical to get those skills in(house)." ' Vicket trains 1,300 employees at 110 sites nationwide.

In the November issue of Internet Week, John Berry quoted Gartner Group's Clark Aldrich as saying that, "companies pursue the e-learning path today for the same reasons they pursued outsourcing 10 years ago...not because it's better, but because it's cheaper and more measurable."

Training employees through e-learning has inspired developers to create programs to act as front ends for business training courses.

Jeff Walsh reported in InfoWorld Electric in May that Macromedia had launched its latest generation of Pathware4. The program helps companies like Compaq, MCI, Boeing and US West train employees more efficiently using the Internet.

Walsh reported that Pathware supports thousands of users across virtual corporations and enables remote users to access the content securely. The product can also deliver and administer learning content created in other courseware applications.

Delivering Pathware to corporate clients requires Microsoft or Netscape browsers of at least version 3 and up. Pathware 4 is designed to guide IT managers through the entire online learning process, from planning and producing curriculum, to administering and delivering courses, to reporting on progress, he said.

In Computer World in August, Dominque Deckmyn reported that when Charles Schwab & Co. was creating its intranet to deliver training to its 130,000 employees, it considered Pathware but ended up using a different educational package called, Teamscape Learning Portal 2.5.

The online educational project demanded considerable customization and they ended up integrating their own Web-based applications with the program. Deckmyn further reported that to develop their courses, the company used various authoring packages including Dreamweaver from Macromedia. The company was also planning to use other packages such as PlaceWare Inc.'s Conference Center software.

Duke University and online training provider Pensare Inc. disclosed plans in October to begin offering companies a master's of business administration program for their employees. The information, which was reported by Ramim P Jaleshgari in Information Week Online, said that Pensare would offer its Open MBA toolkit to companies who wanted to customize their own program.

In September, InternetNews.com reported that USA Video Interactive and LEARN had signed a contract to jointly develop and offer distance education programs that would use a combination of the Internet, intranets and networked multi-media platforms.

Edwin Molina, President of USA Video Interactive was quoted as saying that, "The distance education model we have developed for this project will revolutionize the way classes and courses are traditionally taught... Any enrolled individual will have access to course content and lesson plans at their convenience, thereby allowing a user-friendly approach to learning that can now be deployed and utilized with virtually unlimited applications."

As Judith N. Mottl reported in her article, online learning can be difficult for some companies who just don't have the technology to implement it. She said one big obstacle is the huge bandwidth required for audio and videoconferencing which allows students and instructors to interact during a class. Without the interaction, she said, effective training is compromised.

She reported that training director Dave Blair of Aetna US. Healthcare, said that in 1997, Aetna had incorporated LearnLinc Virtual Classroom from LearnLinc Corp. The software allows online instructors total control using synchronized multimedia and content available over the Internet. Through the application they were able to screen capture any student's desktop. They were able to use one-way streaming video or audio for a live or prerecorded presentation, or use two-way multicast audio conferencing.

Aetna apparently uses the audio conferencing tool to allow students to hear the instructors via a phone line while attending the online class delivered over the Web. Students are then given an opportunity to verbally or electronically contribute only when the instructor is ready for their input.

Another company that provides education systems for businesses is Ninth House. Kim Girard of CNET reported that the company provides a broadband learning network with "cinema-style" training. In early January the company had plans to announce a $40 million second round of funding.

Girard also reported that In August, another player, Click2learn.com had received $10 million in private equity funding. Rival Saba had raised $30 million in December.

Erich Luening of CNET reported in May that 7th Street.com, another online training company was improving its product and services line with the acquisition of Panmedia, who is also an Internet learning company. He further reported that IBM had agreed to license 7th Street.com's streaming technology for delivering its courses over the Internet.

In March CNET reported that 7thStreet.com and America Online had joined forces to provide AOL members with a range of online tutorials and courses ranging from leadership skills to programming.

While all this money and energy is being pumped into online education the real question remains. Is anybody learning anything from online courses?

In the September issue of Infoworld.com, Reena Jana quoted Cindy Yager, chief technology officer of geteducated.com as saying that. "Those who thrive on the social aspects of the classroom might find online learning a challenge."

In the same article Andy DiPaolo, executive director of Stanford University's Center for Professional Development said that, "The highest demand for our online classes comes from the technology industry, because if you're in the computer science field, you require constant education. And commuting to a university campus takes away precious time from work. You've got to be extraordinarily focused and motivated... People often don't realize that online classes are just as intellectually demanding as live classes."

She also quoted Frank Connolly, a professor of computer science and information at American University, in Washington, who said, "When the content is factual, as many technical courses are, then I think online classes stack up well with in-person classes... But when the content is more subjective or is enhanced by discussion, it becomes more difficult to do online."

And then of course there are people like Clifford Stoll author of the "High-Tech Heretic: Why Computers Don't Belong in the Classroom and Other Reflections by a Computer Contrarian."

Daniel Akst quoted Stoll in an article in the Industry Standard in November as saying, `"His arguments, like those of Yale computer scientist David Gelernter before him, are convincing. "Computer literacy" is an empty cliché that, for most people, means knowing how to type, backspace and click a mouse.... He sees "distance learning" as a joke.... Stoll is convinced the Internet isolates us (in part by enfolding us in useless data while real life is going on outside)...."'

Having read all that... if you are still interested in online education, here are a few links that you may find useful.

Below are some Books You May Find Interesting. Click on the title to learn more about them.

• Building Learning Communities in Cyberspace : Effective Strategies for the Online Classroom (The Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series) by Rena M. Palloff, Keith Pratt
• Learning Networks : A Field Guide to Teaching and Learning Online by Linda M. Harasim, Starr Roxanne Hiltz, Lucio Teles, Murray Turoff
• Language Learning Online: Theory and Practice in the ESL and L2 Computer Classroom by Janet K. Swaffar (Editor), Romano (Editor), Markley (Editor),Arens (Editor), Susan Romano, Phillip Markley, Katherine Arens, eds. Janet Swaffar, Susan Romano, Phillip Markley, Katherine Arens