E-learning has come a long way since the early days of basic, text-heavy online courses. Today, learners can access a wealth of interactive multimedia content delivered through a variety of devices and platforms. As we look to the future of eLearning, several new technologies and trends are emerging that are set to change the way we learn online.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have already made their mark on eLearning, and this trend will continue in the coming years. With AI-powered tools, learners can receive personalized course and content recommendations, as well as real-time feedback and support. Machine learning algorithms can also help identify knowledge gaps and tailor learning experiences to the needs of individual learners.

Virtual and augmented reality

Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies are also set to revolutionize eLearning. VR/AR can be used to create immersive simulations and scenarios that allow learners to practice real-world skills in a safe, controlled environment. For example, medical students can use VR to perform complex surgical procedures, while engineering students can use AR to visualize and control 3D models.

Microlearning and mobile learning

Microlearning and mobile learning are two trends that have already gained significant traction in the eLearning space. Microlearning involves dividing learning content into small, easily digestible chunks, while mobile learning allows learners to access content on the go using their smartphones or tablets. As attention spans continue to shrink and learners become more mobile, these trends are likely to grow in popularity.

Gamification and game-based learning

Gamification and game-based learning involve using game design principles to make learning more engaging and interactive. By adding elements such as points, badges, and leaderboards, instructors can incentivize learners to complete courses and achieve their learning goals. Game-based learning takes this a step further by using real-life games as a learning tool. This approach can be particularly effective for teaching complex concepts or soft skills.

Social learning and collaboration

Finally, social learning and collaboration are becoming increasingly important in eLearning. By creating online communities and collaborative learning environments, instructors can encourage learners to share their knowledge and experiences and learn from their peers. This approach can be particularly effective for soft skills such as communication and leadership.

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We are in the 21st century where anything is possible and acceptable. For example, students are learning at home/at work using a computer, which is called online learning/education.

There are several factors contributing to the growing popularity of online learning:

• Young people are choosing non-traditional education to start and advance their careers while complementing and continuing their education.
• The economic crisis of 2008 led to a worsening economic situation. After it, people started to upgrade and change their skills through online training programs.
• Online learning method can be a very effective alternative learning method for mature, self-disciplined and motivated students who are well organized and can manage their time well. But this learning environment is inappropriate for dependents and non-self-directed individuals. Online courses require independence.

There are different types of online learning, but prospective students should consider some factors common to all types before enrolling in any course, program. Generally, all these factors are not applicable to every online learning situation, but they are applicable to most of them.

If you are a teacher, you may approach this new learning paradigm with varying degrees of enthusiasm and interest. Ask yourself a few questions:

Are you optimistic or skeptical about online learning?
Are you interested in learning how taking online courses can improve your education and provide excellent learning opportunities for your students?
Do you want to know what you will encounter when planning and delivering online classes?
It is crucial to consider both the pros and cons of online learning so that you can better prepare yourself to work in this new environment and take advantage of the new opportunities it has to offer.

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Asynchronous mode refers to the interaction between the subjects of distance learning, in which participants interact with each other with a time delay, using interactive educational platforms, e-mail, forums, social networks, etc. We can say that this is a mode of more independent learning, which, at the same time, is supported by a teacher using appropriate digital tools.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of these learning formats?

Synchronous learning means quick and direct feedback from both the teacher and the students. Answers and reactions are provided in real time, much like in a regular classroom. Of course, there are technological limitations that mean that only one person can speak at a time, and not all participants can be seen on the screen at once if there are many. Only in a synchronous format can you organize direct interaction between students in small groups, quickly discuss issues and make decisions.

However, synchronous learning requires an online presence at a clearly defined time. This can be a challenge, especially when there are multiple people at home with overlapping schedules. A certain part of a synchronous class is spent on negotiating technical obstacles, asking questions and clarifying due to unexpected connection interruptions and other organizational issues.

Instead, asynchronous mode allows you to work on your own schedule and at your own pace and maximizes the benefits of blended learning. This allows you to master the material based on your own understanding, not the pace of the rest of the group. At the same time, asynchronous mode can create a sense of isolation, as it reduces the sense of learning community if it is not specifically supported. In addition, it requires students to have a fairly high level of self-discipline and developed time management skills, which can be quite difficult, particularly if they have no previous experience of such work.

Thus, having considered the peculiarities of these learning formats, it is possible to identify the types and forms of activities that will allow for the most effective use of each of these modes.

Organizational issues and consultations

A synchronous class should be used to organize the learning process, answer questions about the content, or solve problems with access to digital services that students have, possibly by offering alternative ways to complete assignments.

At the same time, it works well to set aside certain periods of the school day for consultations – students know that they can ask at this time and get a direct answer. If a question arises at another time, it is worth establishing rules for answering outside of these consultations. For example, a question received by email or messenger between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. can be answered within one hour.

In the asynchronous organization of the learning process, the systematic content of the digital learning platform chosen by the educational institution is of particular importance. It is necessary to provide clear instructions and provide for different communication channels (e-mail, accessible feedback form, messenger, phone, etc.) in case of technical problems.

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In the virtual world, external reflection is reflected not only on the screen, but also in knowledge and experience. After all, visitors to virtual reality can use audiovisual methods to communicate with other online travelers, learn new information, etc.

Virtual tourism is quite versatile and includes the following: visiting websites with photos, articles, and videos, following online diaries, participating in virtual tours (walking around a city or museum), or immersing themselves in virtual worlds (“virtual realities”).

Virtual tourism is characterized by the following features:

• overcoming the boundaries of time and space (the world is presented outside of time and space, virtual tourism makes it possible for visitors to appear in one part of the world while actually being in another)
• interactivity (it means communication between people and computers. Virtual tourism uses various sensors to interact with a multidimensional information space);
• high technologies (virtual tourism is the result of combining tourism with information and virtual reality technologies, and therefore this type of tourism cannot exist without high technologies);
• savings (virtual tourism makes traveling cheaper);
• versatile sensations (the ability of visitors to virtual tours, worlds to perceive images, sounds, gain experience and other components of perception).
• Virtual tourism has strengths as well as limitations. Virtual tourism makes traveling easier and more affordable. It is much cheaper to take a virtual tour than to buy a ticket (for a plane, train, bus, etc.) and pay for a hotel. Moreover, tourists don’t have to spend any more money or time on getting a visa. In addition, virtual travel is safer: for the tourist, if he wants to visit a dangerous place (war zones, emergency situations, etc.), and for the environment (virtual tourists do not pollute the natural environment).

Another positive aspect of virtual tourism is comfort: it is much more convenient to travel sitting in a chair than to spend 15 hours on an airplane. Tourists can also control the time when it is more convenient for them to connect to the virtual world, pause, or rewatch. But the biggest advantage is that people who would never be able to travel in the real world (people with disabilities, the elderly, the seriously ill, the poor) can travel through virtual tourism. The question arises as to why this type of tourism will not completely replace traditional tourism.

First, virtual tourism is not able to provide all five senses (smell, touch, taste, sound, and visual perception) simultaneously, as traditional tourism does. In virtual tourism, the emphasis is on visual perception, while for many people, touch is important. Moreover, the “picture” in the virtual space (even if it is a 3D image, where not only color but also volume is transmitted) is not completely identical to what people actually see when they are in a particular travel destination. In addition, there is a difference between virtual and traditional tourism in terms of emotional perception. Of course, emotions (joy, surprise, etc.) are present in both cases, but the emotional level is different. An example is a safari tour in Africa or a hot air balloon flight, where a real tourist, in addition to positive emotions, may experience fear of heights, death or injury.

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Historical places that offer free online tours:

Stonehenge
The iconic historical site of England in Wiltshire consists of a ring of stones. Each stone weighs 25 tons, is 4.1 meters high and 2.1 meters wide. This place probably dates back to 3000 BC and is believed to be a burial ground.

The Stonehenge website offers its visitors a 360 virtual tour with an added bonus. If you click on any of these shimmering circles (hotspots) around the site, a video will play with a historian telling you more about the site. So, it’s like a guided tour!

The Taj Mahal
If you are more into oriental culture and architecture, this will be your cup of tea. The Taj Mahal was built in the Indian city of Agra in the mid-17th century as a mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The 42-acre site includes a tomb, a mosque, a guest house and formal gardens.

The Taj Mahal online site also offers you virtual tours inside and outside the mausoleum, mosque and gatehouse, as well as the official gardens. All you have to do is choose between Indoor/Outdoor and select one of the yellow circles in the illustrative picture.

Machu Picchu
From the west to the east and then to the extreme southwest, let’s visit the majestic Inca Empire. Machu Picchu is an Inca castle that is believed to have been built in the 15th century. It is located on the ridge of a mountain in Peru, at an altitude of 2340 meters above sea level. The remains showcase the classic Inca architectural style and contain two temples and an intihuatana, a ritual stone associated with the Inca calendar.

The Peru Machu Pichu website contains a list of attractions of this historic site that can be virtually toured through Destination 360.

Acropolis of Athens
The ancient Greek site is located on top of a 150-meter-high hill south of Athens. It is home to numerous historical monuments built in the 5th century BC, such as the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, the Propylaea and, of course, the Parthenon, the temple of the Greek goddess of wisdom Athena.

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It is worth using what I call “constant audience tugging”. Technically, it looks like this: the teacher gives a certain amount of material and asks if everyone understands. If the students have turned on their cameras, you can ask, for example, “move something to show that you understand everything.” However, there is a part of the audience that will never turn on the cameras, no matter how much you persuade them. In addition, sometimes the connection does not allow you to turn on the video. In such cases, you can use chat – formulate questions with a plus or minus, one or zero answer, etc. For example: “Who has experienced this, put a plus,” “Who has not experienced this, put a minus.”

You definitely don’t need to turn the class into a continuous lecture. Some teachers are so good with questions and answers that they put three slides on the screen and tell the rest in words. Still, in an online course, a lot of information should be on the screen. You should not rely solely on your own skills and the responsibility of the students, who will write down everything from the teacher’s words. And, of course, we shouldn’t give up on interactive activities.

Lastly, some people say that online education is just a crutch that we use until we can go offline. But for the third year in a row, we have actually been living in an environment where distance education is almost the only way out. And it is not known how much longer we will be forced to study online.

Therefore, in my opinion, it is wrong to say, “If we were in the classroom with you, I would show you now” or “This is online, it’s not really learning, but if we were offline, it would be better.” Imagine a theater actor playing in a TV show and saying: “Of course, I’m not playing well here – but if we were in a theater, on stage, I would really play for you, but this way – well, you know, it’s a screen, it’s not the same.”

You shouldn’t make excuses for yourself if you can’t master a certain technology: we, as teachers, must show by our own example flexibility and self-development, the ability to achieve results in any environment.

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