I also had a look in the blogs of the others. It is funny to see, that many of us prefere to work at home.

This is a picture of my preferred non e-learning enviroment.

This is my couch table in my living room. I usually need a lot of space to bring all my papers in oder, so I can learn best.

At least most of the time there is enough space

My preferred e-learning enviroment is on the next picture.

It is not the biggest enviroment, but I have everything what I need (Computer, printer, scanner, internet,…) and it is at home. So it is not loud and crowded like internet-cafes or e-learning centers.

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I think that e-learning is great for people, which can´t go to classes, courses, seminars, …. Maybe you are a parent of a small child and can´t leave home, maybe you have a handycab and the classroom is not equipped for your special needs or maybe you life in an area  where there are no courses you want to take, you can still do e-learning.

I also see e-learning as great way for students, trainees and pupil to get coaching. Coaching courses are often expencive and sometimes people don´t want to make it public that he/she needs coaching. E-learning can be an inexpencive and privat way to get this extra training.

This part of the task I find difficult. How should I write about my expectations? I´m still not quit sure, which of the definitions is the right one.

Advantage of web based training, of the virtual classroom and the computer based training could be for example, that you don´t need to leave your home. You can learn where ever you have the right equipment. 

A dissadvantage espesially of web based training and computer based training can be, that you could become lonely.

Another advantage/dissadvantage is that the learner has to be very honest to himself/herself. Many times there is nobody who controlles the progress. And even, when there is a teacher in the net, who reads your posted web based training work, there is no way to see who really did do the work. (In presence learning the teacher can at least guess (handwritting) who did do the job )

One definition I find quite helpfull comes from “Regionalen Rechenzentrum Hamburg”:

“What is E-Learning?

 With the term E-Learning is described a broad spectrum at learning and training forms. Generally E-Learning is used as generic term for electronically supported learning. 

Within the range E-Learning emerge again and again some terms, which we would like to describe here briefly:

- Blended Learning – here a combination of E-Learning methods and classical presence  teachings is used. Apart from the E-Learning-activities the involved ones meet often regularly. Thus the E-Learning-range is e.g. used to compile or around tasks organize in order to make material available to communicate between the meetings contents together and tests available make.

Web Based training (WBT) – here teaching programs are meant, which are offered over Internet technology. , Depending upon assigned software different tools are available for the switching of learning contents and for communication. Usually the WBT in the Internet, Intranet or Extranet is used and called over a Webbrowser.

Computer Based training (CBT) – these teaching programs are transported over CD-ROM, disk or other storage media and find usually on the domestic computer learning application.

Virtual Classroom (VC) – a form of on-line teachings, with which participants and coaches are simultaneously connected into a virtual area and can communicate. VCs offer frequently a set of tools like e.g. application sharing.”

original written in German:

“Was ist E-Learning?

Mit dem Begriff E-Learning wird ein breites Spektrum an Lern- und Lehrformen beschrieben. Allgemein wird E-Learning als Oberbegriff für elektronisch unterstütztes Lernen verwendet.

• Blended Learning – Hier wird eine Kombination von E-Learning Methoden und klassischer Präsenzlehre genutzt. Neben den E-Learning-Aktivitäten treffen sich die Beteiligten oft regelmäßig. So wird z.B. der E-Learning-Bereich genutzt, um Material bereitzustellen, zwischen den Treffen zu kommunizieren , Inhalte gemeinsam zu erarbeiten oder um Aufgaben zu organisieren und Tests bereitzustellen.
• Web Based Training (WBT) – hier sind Lernprogramme gemeint, die über Internettechnologie angeboten werden. Dabei stehen, je nach eingesetzter Software verschiedene Werkzeuge zur Vermittlung von Lerninhalten und zur Kommunikation zur Verfügung. In der Regel wird das WBT im Internet, Intranet oder Extranet genutzt und über einen Webbrowser aufgerufen.
• Computer Based Training (CBT) – Diese Lernprogramme werden über CD-ROM, Diskette oder andere Speichermedien transportiert und finden meist auf dem heimischen Computer des Lernenden Anwendung.
• Virtual Classroom (VC) — Eine Form der Online-Lehre, bei der Teilnehmer und Trainer in einen virtuellen Raum simultan zugeschaltet sind und kommunizieren können.  Dabei bieten VCs häufig eine Reihe von Werkzeugen wie z.B. Applikation sharing.”

You can find this definition over the link: http://www.rrz.uni-hamburg.de/lls/michel/e-learning-haupt/elearn-start/elearn-was-ist.html

Today our seminar “premesis of elearning” started. We spoke about our experiences in el-earning. Our first task was to create this blog.

I don´t have much experience with e-learning, but i´m willing to learn I believe that e-learning is a great way especially for trainees to study next to school and business.