Blended Learning, E-Learning and Online

Learning
The evolution of technology and the numerous and varied educational institutions, each providing a
number of courses or degrees, has led to a confusing variety of terms in the field of distance
education - distance learning, e-learning, online learning, virtual education, blended learning,
flexible learning, etc.

What do they all have in common and in what way they are different? If you’re considering pursuing
an online course or a distance learning degree, you will first need to understand what each type of
learning offers. That way, you can make an informed decision and avoid any mix-up.

Definition of online and distance learning concepts

1. e-learning

e-learning can refer to the situation where the interaction between the students and the teacher is
done online. Basically, the students receive the training and are taught through an online medium,
even though the teacher may be in the same building with them. It is simply students’ and teacher’s
choice for instruction.

2. Online learning

In online learning, the key element is the use of internet and is described as the learning experience
that is realised with the use of some technology. Online learning can encompass both e-learning and
blended learning, as it generally refers to the idea of using online tools for learning.

3. Distance learning

Although distance learning is understood and is often used as a synonym of the online learning term,
it was initially introduced in order to attract students from all over the world. Universities are
offering distance learning degrees dedicated to everyone, as long as they meet entry requirements
and qualifications. So it became possible for students from Europe for instance, to easily attend an
American college without the need to travel.

4. Blended learning

Blended learning is a combination of learning at a distance and the traditional on-site learning (in a
class-room). Basically, students will have a (more or less) fixed schedule where they will have to
attend a part of the classes at the educational institution and for the rest, they can make their own
schedule, attend the rest of the classes and do their coursework and assignments online.

Difference between Distance Courses, Blended Learning and Online Courses

Online courses are not blended learning but simply a part of it. Blended learning is composed of the
different ways that teachers make to keep students interested, stimulated, motivated and driven even after
two weeks of training. It is the type of learning which is done in the traditional techniques and strategies. It
is a fusion of individual lessons, group lessons and phone lessons. The crucial factor in blended learning is
the electronic support coming from e-learning which can be used to introduce a personal workspace for
practice and reviewing online classes.

Online courses are not always a form of interactive of multimedia learning but it should be because the
thought of being held up in a classroom for a number of hours can get pretty boring. This kind of learning
should be more than availability and accessibility; it must also be about interaction. Institutions who offer
this kind of education should be able to provide their students with enough audio as well as visual resources
for learning to be more interactive and attractive. Students should also be given enough opportunity to be
able to interact with each other. Note that e-learning should be more than the two dimensions of a paper.

Online courses should not be a form of self learning. Traditionally, e-learning is often thought off as purely
and electronic manner of learning because the student faces the computer alone armed with only his self
motivation and bravery. A learner can either work on a module in a fast based manner or simply fall behind
schedule knowing the flexibility that e-learning has to offer. E-learning will often lead to boredom or worst
failure if it is considered only to be a tool.

Finally, online courses do not necessarily mean distance courses, but they should be. It must be a fusion of
blended learning without neglecting the traditional manner of learning and not disregarding the need for
interaction among students. Note that e-learning should be a form of close learning making it the key to
being successful in this field. When you want to respond to the needs of your students, propose a pure
distance learning service to allow e-learning to be the only interface of training through video conferencing.

What's the Difference between Online

Essentially, the major difference between online learning and distance learning is geography. But
there's more to both concepts than that.

The big differences include:

1. Location
2. Interaction
3. Intention

Basically, students can still be in a classroom with an instructor and use online learning.

Students are separated from instructors and peers in distance learning.

In addition, online learning requires some degree of in-person teacher interaction.

Distance learning means no in-person interaction at all.

Last, online learning works as a supplement to direct teacher guidance.

Now that we've nailed those down, let's define these terms a little further and talk about their
advantages.

The Definition of Online Learning

Online learning means that your educational tool is based on (and accessible from) the Internet.

You may also hear this as "cloud-based" education solutions.

Regardless of its name, online learning programs are anytime / anywhere tools, which also means
learning from home.

But that's just a bonus of online learning — not its primary function.

Online learning tools are a staple of a blended learning environment. They're most often used in the
classroom during class time.

As part of a blended learning environment, students use online learning for a portion of class time
before transitioning to class discussion, skills practice, lecture, or projects.

There are many reasons that teacher use online learning in the classroom. Here are a few examples
of how online learning has had a positive impact on some of our teachers.

1. Online Learning Tools Save Teachers Time

The #1 complaint we hear from CTE teachers is teaching takes too much time outside the
classroom.

Teachers can quickly lose their free time in the extra work that comes along with teaching. This is
especially true for new teachers who don't have formal training in education.

Plus, every teacher is responsible for a lot of students these days. It's common for teachers to be
responsible for more than 200 students at a time.

With so many learners depending on you, planning can take an eternity outside the classroom.

Then you have to factor in grading, progress reports, one-on-one time, and other teaching
requirements.

How do you even have time to sit down with all that responsibility?

Online learning tools help teachers take control of their lives again.

We're not just saying that because we think it's true. We've heard it straight from our own teachers!

2. Online Tools Engage Students

There's a disturbing trend in education today.

Students don't necessarily fail because they don't understand the material they're learning.
They fail because they're bored.

Online learning eliminates boredom as a factor of failure.

The idea is that students lose interest in class-long lectures and projects.

Online learning gives the teacher more ways to jump among different teaching styles.

So the first portion of class could feature bell work. Then, students can move into online learning
modules, followed by a lecture from the instructor.

This is also known as a blended learning environment. By diversifying the way you teach, you
maximize the advantages of each teaching style while minimizing their disadvantages.

The results are more engaged students who retain information better in the long run.

Her itinerary looks like this:

 Bell work
 HealthCenter21 module work
 Instruction

Luann found that about 90% of her students stay on task with this scheduled approach, which is a
huge improvement using any one teaching style for a full class.

It's even helped her classes hit a 100% pass rate on crucial health science certifications!

With those results, it's clear that online learning is a great way to engage your students.

Now that we've looked at online learning, let's see how distance learning compares.

The Definition of Distance Learning

Often, students learn in the comfort of their own homes or satellite areas set up by their schools.

Regardless, the learning process is almost exclusively individual. There's little interaction among
students outside of projects, and someone in Japan could take a course that's offered in Sweden.

Instructors may use webinars, videos, audio recordings, email, snail mail, or textbooks to teach their
students.

In that respect, distance learning actually relies on online learning.

In fact, it's accurate to say that distance learning is a highly-specific subset of online learning since it
frequently takes place over the Internet.

While that may sound like a difficult learning environment, distance learning has some key
advantages.
1. Distance Learning Is Worldwide

The biggest advantage of distance learning is right in its name.

Students in any part of the world only need Internet access to learn, complete assignments, and earn
credentials in their field.

So like we said earlier, someone i Japan could take a class in Sweden.

There would be a timezone difference and the student would have to meet that challenge, but they
could still complete a course from the other side of the world.

This is perfect for students separated from the school they want to attend, and it also helps students
with packed schedules, social anxiety, and / or health complications.

We can't say it's as effective as online learning. After all, online learning still includes the benefit of
developing a personal relationship with an instructor.

But it's a great way for students to learn in circumstances where they otherwise can't.

2. Distance Learning Is Affordable

While career and technology education is one of the most affordable forms of post-secondary
learning, there are often fees that go along with student enrollment.

Distance learning may have those fees as well.

But because there are no facilities, physical maintenance, or utility associations, enrollment is often
much more affordable for distance learning than other education.

This is ideal for students who may not have a lot of cash or the credit to take out a student loan.

As long as they can foot the bill for the class and materials, they're good to go.

That's a lot easier than paying tuition.

So it may not be the most effective way for students to learn compared to online blended learning.

But it's a terrific option for students on a tight budget.