Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
platform for the development of distance learning
tools, which directly connect learners with teachers
and relative educational sources (Papanikolaou et
al, 2005). This form of communication involves
the use of simple text as well as the transmission
of voice, image and video. Specifically, the main
advantages of Web-based distance education are:
lions of computers are connected to, one
can easily understand its enormous poten-
tials in distance education and the dissemi-
nation of knowledge as well.
•
Non-isolated learners:
Traditionally in
distance education, learners are considered
isolated from the other members of the
learning community studying the learning
material on their own. On the contrary, in
online education, Web promotes the coop-
eration between learners and teachers as
well as the creation of learners' groups with
common educational objectives. This ca-
pability is possible due to the synchronous
or asynchronous communication (Steiner,
1996) supported by Web technologies.
•
Space independency:
Learners are able
to participate in the learning process from
any place, even from their own home sim-
ply using their personal computers.
•
Time independency:
The simultaneous
participation of teachers and learners is not
a prerequisite in online education. Learners
choose when they are ready to study the
educational material and determine the
time needed to assimilate the learning con-
tent. That is, students can repeat processes
and revise the content of an online applica-
tion without any time limitations, adapting
so the learning process to their personal
needs.
•
Equal opportunities to all participants:
As it has already been mentioned the learn-
ing process is adapted to the personal abili-
ties of each learner. Hence, while in a real
learning process it is a common phenom-
enon some students not to be able to follow
the learning rhythm, in online education
Web provides equal opportunities to all
participants regardless of their abilities, as
they have as much time as they really need
to study the learning material.
•
Low cost:
The total cost required for the
training of a large number of learners at
universities, schools, enterprises and so on
is significantly reduced by the use of Web-
based learning applications. On the other
hand, the cost corresponding to users-
learners is usually limited to the price of a
conventional PC.
•
Simulation of a real learning process:
Web allows the creation of learning con-
ditions that are usually developed in a
real classroom. For this purpose various
pedagogical methods such as behaviorism,
cognitivism, constructivism, collaborative
learning etc can be applied.
•
Easy access:
The main advantage of on-
line learning is free and easy accessibility
via Web. Furthermore, in most cases the
connection with other external educational
sources (e.g. libraries) is also possible.
•
Attractive environment:
The use of mul-
timedia technology (video, sounds, 3D
graphics etc) engages student's attention
and creates a pleasant learning environ-
ment (Kokkos et al, 1999).
•
Simultaneous participation of a large
number of learners:
Web allows the par-
ticipation of a large number of trainees
in the learning process, something that is
hardly achieved with traditional distance
learning methods. Considering also that
Web constitutes the largest and the most
powerful global network, in which mil-
In general, the potentials of Web shift the cen-
tre of learning process from teachers to learners.
This simply means that learners acquire an active
role and determine the development of the learn-
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