Elearning in language needs.

Hello again...this time i want to share with you something about online jurnal. Yesterday I went to Tun Sri Lanang Library to search some material and information on E- learning. Unfortunately, I found it was not very interesting with the server always up and down like roller coaster and I did not have enough time to finish everything. I managed to get informations from 3 sources of online journal but i did it from only 2 sources which is the Emerald Fulltext and LexisNexis TM Fulltext article. I felt frustrated but never mind I have found another websites that gave me more on Elearning.

Electronic learning or E-learning is a general term used to refer to computer-enhanced learning. It is used differently in so many contexts that it is critical to be clear what one means when one speaks of "e-Learning".Many technologies can, and are, used in e-Learning such as screencasts, Palm pilots, MP3 Players, the use of web-based teaching materials, hypermedia in general multimedia, CD-ROMs, web sites, discussion boards, collaborative software, e-mail, blogs, wikis, text chat, computer aided assessment, educational animation, simulations, games
learning, management software, electronic voting systems ... and many more, and possibly a combination of different methods being used.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-learning)

Elearning is one of the famoust type of learning or teaching in language.In the era of learning technology and Educational Technology, the electronic learning is used generally to refer to the use of technology in learning or some sense of computer-based training.It is also more than On-line Learning or Online Education which generally refer to purely web-based learning. In cases where mobile technologies are used, the term M-learning has become more common to the people in technology communities.


Online language learning and teaching is multifaceted and can take many shapes. Components can be categorized in three areas: 1) Computer mediated communication (CMC), 2) presentation of authentic materials and 3) online interactive exercises. CMC can be further broken down into asynchronous (e-mail, listserv, bulletin board) or synchronous communication (chat rooms, whiteboard, Internet video conferencing) between two or multiple users. Different kinds of authentic materials are available on the Internet. Students can search for particular topics using search engines or sites recommended by the instructor. In addition to text and images, many Internet sites also include video and audio files. By sending students out on their own, they have access to pages created in the target culture, not by the instructor; consequently they are usually more up-to-date and culturally genuine. However, the instructor can also create a learning website, incorporating selected material, which are still authentic, but are more controlled for appropriateness in language and content.
In creating Online exercises, drills including fill-in-the blank, multiple choice, and matching are easiest to achieve by language teachers. There are a lot of already existing sites that allow for this kind of practice, but instructors can also learn how to create their own course specific Internet exercises, if they use a course management system like WebCT. However, interactive activities and exercises can also go beyond those drills to include pair activities, problem solving, and critical thinking.
Computer Mediated Communication has received a lot of attention in the field of Computer Assisted Language Learning, since it fits in well with a communicative approach to language learning. For our research we were looking for more complete uses of all three components in integrated online learning environments. However, articles about online learning in general, and those pertaining to more specialized uses are nonetheless included for an overall review of the literature and practice. (http://www.coedu.usf.edu/slaitcohort99/online.htm#whatis)

There are some examples of web sites that offer descriptions of the online learning:
1.http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/LanguageLearningResources/default.htm
2. http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/LanguageLearningResources/default.htm
3. http://www.sloan-c.org/publications/jaln/index.asp
4. http://www.dutchgrammar.com/

There are some advantages of electronic learning:

The A4 of eLearning - Anytime, Any Place, Any Pace, Any Subject: elearning materials can be accessed at the most convenient time for the learning, if the course material is well constructed then learning can take place in short segments and can be customised to suit the learner's needs.
Empowerment: Students are in charge of their own learning.
Flexibility: elearning material can be accessed in a non-sequential way, enabling students to navigate content in different ways, or obtain a global view before tackling the details of individual units.
Cost Effective: large numbers of students can have access to the same materials but can be supported by peer-to-peer or student-to-tutor support services thus reducing the cost of delivery.
Up-to-date Content: Course content is located in one place so it can be easily updated and can provide direct links to supporting materials such as Internet and library resources.
Tailored Learning: the time needed to learn a particular topic or skill is reduced or "compressed" as learning can be modified to suit the users needs and requirements. Elearning can provide a variety of learning experiences including interactive elements.
Retainable: the smaller and more relevant the learning is the easier it is to capture and remember.
Socio-inclusive: students can learn in a relatively anonymous environment without the embarrassment of failure and/or socio-cultural bias from personal contact.
Consistent: all students get the same standardised set of materials from elearning.
Interactive: well constructed materials will have elements of interactivity through simulations etc. which will underpin and enforce the learning.
Collaborative: The use of groups and teams working together in collaborative learning and learner-learner interaction enforces employability skills.
Used To Track Student Performance: student usage of the materials can be monitored and early potential drop-out can be detected and given remedial support.
Used to Facilitate understanding: of concepts by offering alternative ways of visualising materials and alternative explanations to those given in a single delivery mode such as a lecture, seminar or tutorial (for example, multimedia and hypermedia).
Used to Give Instant feedback: from online self-assessment or formative assessment particularly through multiple choice question formats.
Used for Self Assessment: students can be offered automatically-marked self-assessment exercises to identify skill/knowledge levels and learning needs before engaging with course content.
Used to assist students with certain Disabilities: Access for students with hearing and some physical disabilities may be enhanced.
(http://www2.le.ac.uk/institution/merlin/AdvantagesOfELearning)