What is eLearning?
eLearning is a canopy term that encompasses all kinds of learning done through a computer or a mobile device (mLearning), usually connected to a network. Other terms which are frequently interchanged with eLearning include: online learning, online education, technology enabled learning, web based learning or computer based learning (usually associated with learning from CD-ROM). It has been now widely accepted that eLearning can be as rich and valuable as any learning or even better. Instructional Design for eLearning has evolved and has now achieved new heights of perfection using established teaching principles, with many benefits to students. As a result, universities, businesses and organisations worldwide now offer their students fully accredited online degrees, vocational courses and continuance educational programme in abundance.
Are the online degrees accredited?
Yes, very much. Online degrees are also accredited in the same way as degrees granted out of classroom learning. In fact, eLearning provides equal if not better learning experience, as has been elaborated above, and hence, quality of students are equal to if not better than that of classroom learning. Any bias that may exist against eLearning presently, will wear out over a period of time.
Will eLearning make faculties redundant?
Not at all, in fact eLearning will substantially expand the education market, hence, need for faculties will increase. eLearning requires substantial faculties involvement in making digital content, preparing Video lectures, conducting Live Virtual Classroom, Chat and support on Discussion board. In fact good faculties can see their scope increasing and demands shooting up.
Is eLearning applicable for all types of learning?
eLearning is suitable for all types of learning, excepting cases where face-to-face interface is a must or which requires practical training in the workshop or real life environment e.g. public speaking, swimming, yoga, training in a workshop/garage etc. Here again, all the theoretical knowledge can be imparted online and such practical training can be taken offline. Remember, here too, simulation is a great way to train on any products / processes / machines. Aircraft simulation is a well known example, and now even surgery training is also imparted via simulation. Needless to add, practical training is necessary in cases listed above; however, this may be restricted to 10-15% of the course duration, thus, enabling training many more students at the least possible cost.
Can eLearning substitute classroom learning?
Presently, eLearning is mainly applied for continuing, vocational and distance education. This is due to the impracticality of serving these learners with classroom learning. Presently in the USA, over 500,000 primary / secondary students are learning through eLearning as an alternative to classroom learning. Hence, due to its inherent advantage, eLearning will provide a cost effective and convenient alternative to classroom learning in not-too distant future.
What are the types of eLearning?
- Self-Paced Learning: Means learning at your own pace. Lessons can be delivered through HTML pages, PDF pages or Video Based Training (VBT™), Audio Based Training (ABT™), Web Based Training (WBT), which is explained in detail below.
- Synchronous: Means live or learning at the same time, e.g. a Live Virtual Classroom (defined below) or a live Chat.
- Asynchronous: Means not live or offline e.g. Discussion board.
- Virtual Lab or Simulation: Means digital reproduction of essential features of any product or process or machine for the purpose of training or demo.
What is an online varsity?
An online varsity is a virtual university (Varsity) in cyberspace offering courses that can be pursued by the learners at their own time and pace. You can access the site from anywhere in the world and at any time and learn at your convenience.
Also, you need not wait for a particular time of the year to enroll. An online varsity allows you to enroll at any time of your convenience and from anywhere in the world. However, in cases, where the courses are recognised by regulatory authorities, they may insist fixed duration courses, in which case admission may remain open during limited period only.
However, in all cases there is no need for your physical presence at the time of admission or for attending classes. All you need is an internet connection and you are on.
Why choose online training over traditional classroom model?
Online training is anywhere anytime education. It follows a flexi-learning model that has found millions of takers among busy professionals and multi-tasking students. It is very effective for those who have to tour frequently and are constantly on the move. It is cost effective since you save on travel expenses and your organization saves in terms of breaks or leaves from work.
A great advantage is that you set your own learning pace. It could be faster or slower than the average trainer’s. You can spend more time in understanding something that you find difficult and fly through the parts you are familiar with.
It also allows back and forth facility to permit quick and fast recap. You can revisit or replay sections of the training that may not be clear to you as many times as you wish. This is impossible in a traditional classroom.
It has been discovered that eLearning allows increased retention and a stronger grasp on the subject. It follows the principle that we all respond to different stimuli for retention. For example some people have visual memory, so they retain by watching, reading or through visuals. Some others have auditory memory they remember what they hear.
Similarly, there are many other ways in which people learn. All these methods and more are used in eLearning making it the ideal way to learn. It presents students with many elements that are combined to reinforce learning, like, video, audio, quizzes, and interactivity.
Finally, you can always get the very latest in eLearning courses as they can be updated easily. Online eLearning sessions are especially easy to keep up-to-date because updated content is simply uploaded on the LMS or the server. In the traditional mode this is extremely difficult. A book that needs reprinting in the light of new discoveries takes ages to reach bookstores. Whereas online, changes and updates can be effected overnight.
It is the perfect solution to meet the training needs of life-long learners because it is available on demand, does not require travel, and is cost-efficient.
What is Web Based Training (WBT)?
WBT is a course delivered through the internet and may use one or more multimedia features like Audio, Image, Flow charts, Illustrations, Animations, Video etc. A WBT course is plugged into the Learning Management System (LMS).
What is Video Based Training (VBT™)?
VBT™ (Patent Pending USPTO 20080206730, USA) - is a course delivered in video format through the internet. It acts like personal tutor and mimics physical classroom delivered in self paced manner, a truly anytime, anywhere learning. A VBT™ course is also plugged into LMS providing features like tracking and assessment.
What is Audio Based Training (ABT™)?
Audio Based Training™ (ABT™): ABT™ is also patented by GOLS. ABT™ is replica of VBT™ excepting that ABT™ contains PPT slide / instructions / flow charts / process diagrams, animation and voice over of faculty (as against video of faculty in VBT™). ABT™ is meant for narrow bandwidth connections like dial-up, cable, Wi-Fi connections, where VBT™ will take very long time to download.
What is Simulation? How does it help?
Simulation is the digital reproduction of a product or process or machine for the purpose of training or demo. Everyone is aware about aircraft simulation. These days even surgery training is provided through simulation. Simulation helps training in the following ways:
- Show me-how it is done
- Let me-do on my own
- Allow me- to make mistakes because we learn from mistakes
What is a CBT?
Computer Based Training (CBT) is any training or instruction that is delivered on your computer. The courseware may be delivered via a CD-ROM or DVD installed on your computer, or can be housed and delivered on an organization’s intranet, or over internet.
What is the difference between WBT and CBT?
The difference between WBT and CBT is the delivery platform. Training delivered over the internet is WBT and those delivered via an intranet or CD-ROM is called CBT. Many use the terms interchangeably and that often causes confusion.
What is ILT?
Instructor-Led Training or ILT is the term used to describe traditional classroom-based training. This method is teacher-centric where the teacher leads the class and sets the pace of learning. The students have to learn by following the tutor’s delivery style and pace.
What’s Blended Learning?
Blended learning permits a mix and match of Instructor Led Training (ILT) (or also known as traditional Classroom Based training) and eLearning methods to deliver training modules. For example, a science class can be facilitated by a simulated laboratory where students create projects or carry out experiments in their free time. Similarly, a VBT™ by a world-renowned expert can be a huge value addition to a traditionally delivered course. Sometimes an eLearning course can also be enhanced immensely by a face-to-face interaction with a specialist.
What’s Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM)?
SCORM guidelines promote standardization in e-learning. It is a framework that is used to define and access information about learning objects so they can be easily shared among different LMS. Simply put, if your organization wants to host the courses on your intranet or on a different LMS the design of the content is such that they can be easily used within any LMS and an LCMS.
Are your courses government or university recognised?
Excepting where it is mentioned specifically (e.g. AMITY University, a recognised university under University Grants Commission (UGC) Act or preparatory courses for CFPCM, AFPCM for which GOLS is an authorised education partner of FPSBI). Our courses are not recognised by AICTE, DEC or government. What we offer are courses from Industry bodies or training institutions (e.g. Certified Retail Professional is offered jointly with Retailers Association of India or Travel Varsity courses are jointly offered with KUONI | Academy). Our courses are developed by experts with decades of industry experience and they are meant to develop skills which will not only lead to skills enhancement but also make students industry ready and significantly enhance industry employability.
Do you provide any hard copy material? Will you provide me books?
We are an online education and training organisation and our courses can be taken anywhere in the world. This makes dispatch of the hard copy unviable. However, we do offer downloadable study material in a few courses and it is our endeavour to offer this facility progressively for all our courses.
Do you have instalment facility?
Our courses offer great value at affordable prices and hence in most cases instalment facility is not necessary. However, in a few cases of high end courses, we do offer easy instalment facility. Please check our catalogue for details of instalment facility offered in a particular case.
Will your certificate help the candidate in getting a job?
We do not guarantee a job. Due to the very nature of internet, our courses can be taken from anywhere in the world. What we offer are courses from the Industry bodies or training institutions (e.g. Travel Varsity courses are jointly offered with KUONI | Academy). Our courses are developed by experts with decades of industry experience and they are meant to develop skills which will not only lead to skills enhancement but make students industry ready and significantly enhance industry employability.
If I have already enrolled for a particular course, can I get a concession for another course?
There is no such scheme available currently. However, the same is under our consideration and decision to this effect will be communicated on the website. Hence, please do visit the website regularly.
Do I have to give any exam after the completion of the course?
Course end exams are present in degree / PG Diploma and diploma programs. There are mastery tests within the course for short term / certificate level courses. Besides, in case of preparatory courses like ICSI, FPSB and AMFI we offer Mock Test, Mock Question Papers and assignments which will help you do very well in these examinations.
Do I get certification at successful course completion?
Yes, upon successful completion of a course you will be awarded a certificate.
To complete a course, you need to complete the following:
- All the modules and lessons in the course
- Course-end assessments
- Assignments or projects
A digital certificate is awarded only upon course completion. A physical certificate can be obtained on payment of a nominal fee.
In case of failure to pass the course-end assessment, you can seek re-examination upon payment of nominal fees for each subsequent attempt. Also, if your access to the course has expired and you wish to go through the course again, then you can do so upon payment of 50 percent of the course fee.
How can I prevent unauthorized access to the course?
Each student is given a unique username and password. This prevents unauthorized use of the course without. No one can use your username and password unless you make it available to them.
Most online training services provide a user agreement document. This sets forth the Terms and Conditions for taking Web Based Training. This comes with a clause that discourages authorized users from providing anybody with their unique username and password. However, it is finally up to the students to keep their passwords safe.
When can I enrol for a course?
You can enrol for the courses anytime during the year.
How can I register and pay for a course?
Please click here to read a PDF document on “Registration and Payment procedure”.
What’s the fee structure?
Each course is unique and therefore uniquely priced. Please visit the online courses section for the latest course fees.
What should be the configuration of my PC?
Technical requirement for your personal computer:
Hardware: Pentium IV processor
128 MB RAM
Software: Operating System – Windows 2000 or higher version
Web browser - Microsoft internet Explorer 5.5 (or higher version) or Netscape Navigator 4.08 (or higher version) Many of the courses require some free plug-ins that is typically included in your browser already. In addition, you need to allow pop-ups from this site.
What software do I require to install on my PC? How do I download the software?
VBT does not require installation of any special software on end-user's computer, except for some multimedia plug-ins that are either already installed on most computers or can be installed for free from the internet. Just in case, if you don't have the plug-ins, please download it from the following link: Macromedia Flash player (version 6.0 or later) – Click here to install.
You require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view certain documents.
The Browser (internet Explorer 6) should have the following properties:
- JavaScript enabled
- Pop-up blocker disabled
- Cookies enabled
Do I require broadband connection for viewing the courses?
- Broadband connection (128 kbps) to internet is preferable.
- You may avail our service through the dial-up internet connection as well. Though, broadband connection ensures superior results.
- Access is also available at over 2,000 locations in over 125 cities across India via any cybercafé offering broadband connection.
- To run the LVC, a client (plug-in) has to be installed on your machine. This will be provided to you when you register for the course.
Important Notes for Students (Please read this carefully):
- Certification: A course completion certificate will be awarded based on marks scored by the learner in the mastery test which appears at the end of course. In most cases, a copy of certificate will be generated in PDF by the systems after successful completion of the course except in cases of Degree/Diploma/PG Diploma courses where separate exams are conducted. A PDF certificate will be generated automatically and available for download at no extra cost. If a learner requires paper certificate then the same will be charged extra @ Rs.250/ per certificate and will be sent by courier / registered post at the address given by the learner. In case of the learner having registered address outside of India, a payment of Rs.1000/- will be charged. It is important that learner fill up the form details correctly as the data made available will be used to generate PDF certificate and in case ‘Paper Certificate’ is ordered, the same will be sent to the address given in the online form. GOLS shall not be responsible for wrong name / address (for any reasons) or un-delivered certificate in case of wrong address or due to non-availability of person for acceptance of courier / registered post. GOLS responsibility shall cease once certificate is dispatched by courier / registered post and proof of dispatch is available with GOLS. Please note option of ordering physical certificate is solely at your discretion and you can make do with the PDF certificate, too.
- Courses: All courses require basic knowledge of English, Computer, internet and Typing skills. GOLS shall make available basic courses on all of above and learners are advised to buy such courses before beginning to study courses offered by GOLS. It is expressly understood that GOLS shall not entertain any claim to this effect. Some courses may require special plug in like flash and shockwave. Learners will be guided to download such plug-ins. Besides, learners are also required to view the course in IE 6+ which is available from Microsoft site.
- internet connection: Certain features like ‘Live Virtual Classroom’ and ‘Video Based Training™’ (VBT™) require broadband internet connections like DSL, Leased Line, Wi-Max. However other features like Web Based Training, Discussion, Board, and Chat etc can also be accessed from normal dial-up, cable and Wi-Fi connection (referred to as narrow bandwidth connection). Accessing LVC and or VBT from narrow bandwidth connection. In which case you have to allow some time (about 5-10 minutes depending on the speed) for caching before you begin VBT.
- THE USE OF THE TERM “VARSITY” IS FOR CONVENIENCE PURPOSE ONLY AND IS NOT TO MEAN OR INTERPRET AS A UNIVERSTIY UNDER UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION (UGC) ACT OR ANY OTHER RELEVANT ACT/S.
- Service tax applicable extra at prevailing rate
- All prices are subject to change without notice
- Course List and prices updated as of September 2009
- Refer respective website for updated course list and fees
- Course access shall be valid for the declared course duration only and will start from the date of first login. Except in cases, where courses start and end on fixed duration and as a measure of good will to our esteemed learners, we shall extend the course duration up to 25% of duration of the course, on receiving an email request and at our sole discretion. However, any further extension of duration of the course will be allowed only on payment of 50% of fees, for course duration extension up to 50% and beyond that 100% of fees will be levied. For example a course with a duration of One month, duration of 7 days may be allowed free and beyond this period extension up to 15 days will be charged @50% of the course fees and 100% of course fees if the course duration request is more that 15 days beyond this extended period of 7 days. No further appeals will be allowed on this count.
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