Digital Learning Landscape

The terms eLearning and online learning are too narrow in scope to cover the extent of new technologies and deliver models as we head toward 2020. 

Online: self-Paced learning

Web based lessons usually delivered vis LMS (learning Management System) like Moodle or Blackboard. Self-paced because learners work through all contents, activities, assignments and instructions by themselves.

• Advantage: Easy to scale. Easy to modify for each new batch.
• Challenge: Requires a complete rewrite of in-class lessons to adapt for online
• Design Tip: All lesson instructions must be laid out in a logical, easy to follow, order
• FYI: Carter Education has developed over 500 hours of self-paced content

Online: Blended Learning

Web based lessons, delivered via LMS or web sites that require teacher guidance and direction. Some activities are self-paced, and others are teacher led.

•  Advantage: Scalable, easy to modify, can be adapted for different learners.
• Challenge: Teacher needs to be trained to act as a curator/facilitator
• Design Tip: Make sure instructions are easy for the teacher to follow
• FYI: Carter Education has created over 1000 hours of Blended Learning content

Online: Teacher led

Web based lessons that are teacher led. Usually 1-1 tutoring or language learning with a set curriculum.

• Advantage: Easy to scale and give access to foreign teachers without being in country.
• Challenge: Hard to individualize and scale number of qualified teachers
• Design Tip: Depending on age, shorter lessons are better

Mobile: web adapted

Many new learning sites are being developed to easily adapt to mobile viewing, regardless of the smartphone or tablet

• Advantage; easy access, easy to prompt/ push participation
•  Challenge: Functionality of web embedded or linked media may not work on all phones
• Design Tip: Make sure your web site is as compatible as possible

Mobile: APPs

This varies from everything from math & language flash cards to dynamic APPs that adjust content for each learner.

• Advantage: Fairly inexpensive and easy to roll out
• Challenge: Adaptive is much better, but needs much deeper developer skills
•  Design Tip: Make it as user friendly and simple to use as possible

Digital Publishing: EPUB3 - Interactive Digital Books

Stories or lessons that embed all media and resources into the digital document. Once downloaded, net access is no longer necessary.

• Advantage: Great for countries or rural areas with limited access. Works on most devices by digital e-readers
• Challenge: Large file size because it embeds all media. Requires advanced software techniques
• Design Tip: Plan EVERYTHING out beforehand and get a graphic designer to help
• FYI: Carter Education is now focusing on this medium and will soon develop some ‘how to’ videos

Digital Publishing: Interactive PDFs

Similar to EPUB3, but can be read without an e-reader.

• Advantage: Easily distributed and downloaded
• Challenge: Still requires some technical skill to develop even though not as fully interactive as EPUB3
• Design Tip: PDFs are easily unlocked, EPUB3 is better to monetize

Digital Publishing: Digital Textbooks

Most major education publishers have had digital textbooks available for many years now.

• Advantage: less weight to carry for learners
• Challenge: May need to access interactive material through an external web site
• Design Tip: Publishers should start to include more embedded resources

AR (Augmented reality):

The process whereby specific software overlays digital information over real life live photos or video. From a learning perspective, museums are currently making best of use of this medium by providing as much or little information the user wants about specific exhibits.

• Advantages: An amazing way to enhance anything that is visible. Plays on most smartphones/tablets
• Challenge: Extensive skill and specific software needed to set it up
• Design Tip: This is the real future of education so start playing with free software
• FYI: In 2019, Carter Education is now focusing on this medium 

VR (Virtual reality):

The process whereby information is ‘lived’ in a real time in a completely simulated environment.

• Advantages: Excellent replacement for high cost simulations (pilots) or life threatening (medical etc.) situations
• Challenges: incredibly costly and highly technical.
• Design Tip:  Leave it to the big companies till the price comes down

FINAL THOUGHT: Comments, suggestions and case studies are appreciated