E-learning by Blanka Klimova - A Review.

 I was going through the articles in the 'English Teaching Professional' , January 2011 edition. The title E-learning caught my attention. It was an article written by Blanka Klimova , a faculty of Informatics and Management at the University of Hradec Karalove in Czech Republic.Her main field of interest is teaching buisness english. In addition, she runs courses in the culture and history of Britian and the USA, and academic writing.

What is E-learning?
E-learning means using multimedia technology to deliver tuition.
E-learning courses have become an indispensible part of acquring new knowledge.Such courses are attractive to universities as they can be an additional source of income.

The writer finds that online tuition places new demands on online tuitors. The article has divided under various sub-topics like E-learning, self study,tuitorials, tutoring, tutor tasdks, tutor skills, tutor roles, pedagogy and problems.

English E-learning

The faculty of Informatics and Management at the University of Haradec Karalove has been intensely involved in the application of e-learning since 1999, as the teacher sees this as a way of improving the quality of their teaching. Their e-courses are created in a virtual learning environment called WebCT. At present, they offer more than 150 e-courses are offered, with more than 45 of those being English Language courses. Some of them, such as Written Buisness English, can be taught completely online.

Self-Study

Each part of an online course starts with self-study information input and concludes with tasks quizzes or assignments. For many learners, there will never be enough time or money avaliable to attend regular classess, but all learners can find the time and money for self-study.

There is a detailed information about three face to face tutorials - introdutory tuitorial , midcourse tutorial and final tutorial.

New Approach to Learning

Though seem to be attractive and cheaper, the e-learning courses require a new approach to teaching. The traditional role of the teacher is changing. The word 'teacher' itself has altered. For example, coach, leader, moderator,facilitator,mediator or tutor.

In the article Blanka Klimova used used the word tutor. There are various tutor tasks and tutor skills likely good communication, supportive and encouraging attitude etc. are to be achived for effective e-tutoring.

Towards the end of the article the writer speakes of the pedagogy and problems of e-learning.

Conclusion

E-learning is the call of the time. E-tuition hasbeen a fashion in almost all the metropolitan cities in India. Online teaching-learning is part of a contemporary trend towards personalisation and individualisation of learning which hasbeen made possible by advancements in information technology.