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19 June 2002, Singapore
E-learning promotes beneficial
collaboration among students |
E-learning offers many opportunities such as the use of published student work for the benefit of the whole class. The multiple ways in which distant learners can communicate with one another and share documents makes collaboration and the completion of joint projects possible.
Course assignments that encourage collaboration are the best way of encouraging interaction. Students can be assigned to work with one another or they can be encouraged to pick partners or groups themselves. Partners and small groups of three or four generally work best since coordinating too many people in different time zones can be a challenge.
An example of a collaborative project that works well is a book or article review. A group reads and discusses the book then collaborates on a presentation. Students can exchange information privately through email or chat. Software is also available that allows users to connect and collaborate on a document in real time over the Internet. With simple HTML coding, the students can then post their assignment on a web page or on the bulletin board for class viewing and discussion. The group can then lead a discussion and invite the rest of the class to participate.
Other collaborative projects involve assigning groups of students a course topic to research and report on. Once again, they can post their presentation in a public place and lead a discussion on the topic responding to and answering the question of others in the class.
In addition to small group projects, the instructor can involve the whole class in group-problem solving activities using the threaded bulletin board. Students can be presented with a hypothetical problem and asked as a group to discuss ways of solving the problem based on the information presented in the unit.
True education should go beyond the classroom walls and this has been made possible with the new e-learning medium that fosters sharing and discussion of ideas. A dynamic learning environment is one in which learners share and contribute their ideas and experience and learn from one another. Furthermore, it increases the potential to create global communities of learners through the Internet. Technology has made a wide variety of educational programming available to suit the needs and interests of students globally. Those who have a desire to embrace technology and work with and collaborate with other learners around the world can reap the benefits of learning in a new global community.
The physical distance can be great, but with social interaction built in to the learning environment through the use of bulletin board discussions, email and chat, collaboration and camaraderie can be achieved and friendships can be built beyond the class.
One such e-learning lifelong service provider that spares no expense to make e-learning as enjoyable as possible is PurpleTrain.com. The lessons are crafted with the aim of being used online as opposed to lessons that were ‘adapted’ from a taught class curriculum. In addition to dedicated lesson plans, PurpleTrain.com has developed its own Learning Management Centre (LMS) known as Bluefin that boasts of an exciting new visual interface sporting new colours and user-friendly features for everyone.
With Bluefin, PurpleTrain ensures that students get a smooth and friendly e-learning environment. They can login through a centralised login system, that will bring them to a personalised page reflecting the various course modules in which they are enrolled. From there, students can select the class and enter the virtual environment through the newly-designed feature icons. Online interaction tools such as the chat and discussion rooms have also been upgraded, to carry a new cool look, with very user-friendly functions and interfaces.
Besides the current features, the new Learning Management Centre provides an acknowledgement of submission of assignments, through which students can check if their assignments were safely uploaded. Also the course contents will also have a new refreshing and clean look, with drop-down lists for easy selection of subject topics for each module.
Speed-wise, students are able to enjoy an ultra-smooth online session on PurpleTrain, up to almost 5 times the previous speed. So navigation within and through the various interaction tools on PurpleTrain will happen in the blink of an eye!
About Informatics Group
The Informatics Group, established in 1983, is a multinational corporation providing training and educational services in information technology and business management. Through its international franchising program and strategic acquisitions, Informatics presently has a global network of more than 450 centres spanning 42 countries.
The company presently offers five franchise products: Informatics Computer School, Thames Business School, CAL Computer Training Centre, Cambridge Child Development Centre and RACC. For more information, please visit http://www.informaticsgroup.com.
About PurpleTrain.com
PurpleTrain.com is the e-learning service provider which offers a one-stop service for business and IT education programmes, corporate training courses and education-related services. By combining innovative technology with world-class training content, PurpleTrain.com offers companies and individuals a high value, quality and effective online training solution. Over 1000 online courses are available, offering PhDs, masters, degrees, diplomas and certificates in business and IT programmes. Its e-community now stands at over 55,000 users.
PurpleTrain.com is a 100%-owned venture of Informatics Holdings Limited, a leading training and education provider listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange.
For more information, please contact :
Andrew Yap
Marketing & PR Manager
PurpleTrain.com
Email : pr@purpletrain.com
Website : www.purpletrain.com
www.informaticsgroup.com
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All trademarks and registered trademarks are property of
their respective owners. Certain of the statements in this press release
are forward-looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to risks and
uncertainties. The actual results may differ from those described or contemplated.
Copyright © 2002. All Rights Reserved. PurpleTrain.com Pte Ltd.
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