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Singapore, 19 July 2002
Online learning - preparation for today’s working environment |
In many ways, online education mirrors what already exists in the workplace. Increasingly, technical professionals work in teams whose members often are scattered throughout the world.
Since virtual teamwork is the way engineers in the workplace work together, online courses prepare students to work in that environment. Even students attending classes on campus are realising the benefits of online technology to communicate. Campus-based students collaborate online in the context of groupware and threaded discussions almost as much as the distance students. It removes the logistics of having to arrange busy schedules for students to meet. What's more, a professor can check into what the group is doing and, if necessary, provide guidance without waiting for the next class meeting. This mode of learning is alive and well at PurpleTrain.com where online facilitators enable groups of students to discuss issues with each other without worrying about the physical limits.
Incorporating industry experience
Other benefits of online communication are surfacing as well. At US Ivy League universities, the e-learning environment allows teams of professional and inexperienced engineers to work together in courses targeted to both. A project-based class puts teams together that log in from around the world and from different experience levels. The manufacturing design course allows on-campus students to work with professional engineers in the workplace. This form of instruction allows a strong benefit of online interaction.
At Georgia Tech, the same kind of communication between real-world engineers and students is facilitated by the use of industry experts who teach graduate classes from the workplace. Without an online learning environment, this kind of partnership between industry and academia would be difficult and not always practical.
You'll get it your way
Although asynchronous learning networks are not new to e-learning providers, other modes of education are still very much in use. Most e-learning providers use combinations of asynchronous delivery, such as textbooks, audio and videos, with synchronous methods such as real time chat rooms, real time discussion rooms and video conferencing. Some e-learning providers like PurpleTrain.com use Learning Management Systems that allow students to use chat rooms, discussion rooms and private email to discuss questions with the facilitator.
University of Portsmouth’s Head of Technology (Extended Campus) Dr Jonathan Britt commented, "To do well in an online environment requires a high level of motivation and discipline, much more than in a traditional classroom setting. The facilitation provided by PurpleTrain.com has been fantastic, and you can see the students have really benefited tremendously. I am sure the scepticism surrounding online learning will disappear in no time and we will see more students willing to take up online learning as a means to achieve their academic and career aspirations."
Hands on the future
What's happening in e-learning can be compared to wing walkers, the daring barnstormers who cautiously stepped from one airplane wing to another while in flight. Many traditional educators today are holding on to the old delivery technologies and have their hands on the new, but they're not ready to give up the old way of delivery. Over time, the older technologies will be replaced by asynchronous and non-mechanical transfer of courses and course materials. Newer universities and education providers, with no ties to past modes of delivery, have caught on to the new "wing" and are already flying with it. It's just a matter of time before traditional education providers let go.
For more information on how to get on the e-learning pathway, visit www.purpletrain.com
or send an email to enquiry@purpletrain.com
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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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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