Web-based learning

It refers to the type of learning that uses the Internet as an instructional delivery tool to carry out variouslearning activities. Web based learning is often called online learning or e- learning because it includes online course content. Discussion forums via email, videoconferencing, and live lectures (video streaming) are all possible through the web. Web based courses may also provide static pages such as printed course materials.
Major benefits of web-based training
Learners can participate (access, modify, and evaluate) anytime, from anywhere
Web-based training provides the ultimate in flexibility--learners can login and take their courses anytime, from anywhere. This means that employees can decide when they are best able to focus on their learning, rather than having to interrupt other important activities. It also means that employees can get the training they need, exactly when they need it.
It provides consistency
One of the major challenges most training and development departments face is how to provide consistent training across the organization. Every trainer presents the material a little differently, and even the same trainer doesn’t do it the same way every time. For some training courses, this may not matter, but for others, like compliance training, it matters a great deal. Because all of the materials are online, web-based training allows trainers to deliver a course the same way every time.
It saves both time and money
Web-based training translates into significant savings of both time and money. Research has shown that web-based courses can be delivered in about half the time as instructor-led courses, and that people retain the information better, so there is less need for retraining in the future. The course resources can also easily be reused, so running more sessions of a course is simple. In addition, while instructor-led training courses are usually capped at 20 or 25 people, web-based courses can be much larger than that. In the case of massive open online courses (MOOCs), the number of learners is potentially infinite.
But there’s even more to it. Traditional training courses take employees away from their jobs for significant amounts of time. Thus, the real cost of traditional training is much more than most people realize. In addition to paying the instructor and the costs of travel and entertainment, there is also a large cost associated with employees not engaging in revenue-producing work. For example, if your sales team is required to undergo one week of training per year, the real cost of that training also includes the sales they would have made during that week. Web-based training integrates learning into employees’ daily activities, rather than taking employees away from those activities.
It gives learners the opportunity to network
Traditional computer-based training is an isolated activity. Even instructor-led training doesn’t provide much opportunity for learners to interact--often there is so much material to get through that there is no class time left for questions, much less discussions.
But web-based training is excellent for networking. Because the learning takes place online, employees from different departments and different geographical locations can all participate at the same time. Via discussion forums, employees often have the opportunity to interact with experts within, and sometimes outside of, the company using employee training software. The knowledge-sharing aspect of web-based training is one of the aspects that makes it truly unique.
It uses real-world problems and examples
Whereas instructor-led training often involves learning from lectures, web-based training usually focuses on practical applications. Rather than just listening to someone talk about a topic, learners have a chance to apply their new knowledge and practice their new skills by working through case studies and other real-world problems and examples. This experience is invaluable when employees encounter similar problems in the course of their work.
Many companies are nervous about moving to a web-based training format because it is unfamiliar. But the Internet is just as powerful a tool for learning as it is for business. If your company isn’t yet using web-based training, you are missing out on the opportunity to both save time and money and provide better training experiences for your employees.
Different forms of e learning
Web-based learning.
This form of training is accessed via web browsers or through the corporate Intranet. The best part of this training is that, learners can access it at their own pace, within the set time. In addition, they do not need to travel to the training centers to attend the training. The compatibility of web browsers with videos, audios, animation, and other media elements, make it a user-friendly medium to deliver the training. On the flip side, to embrace this learning, the learner needs to meet a certain set of system requirements (additional bandwidth and software).
Computer-based training
It is training accessed offline on computers. This type of interactive training worked wonders before the advent of the Internet. It allows learners learn at their pace and the training progress is tracked by the computer, hence assigning grades instantly. In addition, instructors can also track the training progress. It uses various multimedia elements to engage the learner.
CD-ROM based learning
This is an obsolete training model where the training material was recorded onto compact disks and accessed on the system without Internet connection. Today, eLearning has come a long way from CD-ROM to mobile-based learning. However, a few organizations are still using this outdated form of learning to distribute training material.
Webinars
A webinar is a training or a workshop delivered over the web using videoconferencing software. The best part of this form of training is that, you can host a large group, interact and brainstorm, and share applications and documents with the other participants. In simple terms, it mimics the traditional classroom, where you can interact with the instructor and other learners. You can deliver all kinds of trainings through this form of eLearning. A few of them include product sales training and HR training.
Virtual Classroom
It is an online portal through which learners can attend the training right from the comfort of their own place. This is similar to a traditional classroom, but the instructor and learners’ login from different places, virtually. This uses various synchronous technologies such as web conferencing, video conferencing, etc. to enable global learners attend the training, communicate with each other, and view videos at the same time. Learners do not need to travel to attend the session, thus saving their money and time.
Mobile Learning
Mobile learning is a breakthrough in the e-learning world. In this form of learning, the training material is accessed by learners via mobile devices, anywhere anytime with just a few taps. Now, sales reps are able to go through the training material before meeting customers to refresh product knowledge at their pace. Mobile learning also allows employees collaborate, discuss, and learn with their peers and managers across the globe. Collaborative learning
In this type of training, both the instructor and learners interact and share knowledge, either offline or online. In simple terms, it is a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning. Employees can gain knowledge and acquire new skills by interactions and employees who could not make it to the online session can participate in online forums, live chats, instant messaging, and use message boards.
Video-based Learning
In this mode, training is imparted to end-users via engaging videos. This is ideal to grab the attention of unmotivated learners. Basically, videos with less content and more images glue the audience to their seats throughout the training. This video-based training material can be accessed round the clock from anywhere, thus allowing learners watch the video as many times as they want and learn at their own pace. A plethora of studies has proven that 80% of people grasp things by seeing them. In fact, it gives a feel of someone guiding the learners. This medium is interactive, engaging, and yields positive learning outcomes.
Custom ELearning
In this form of e-learning, you can develop courses to suit your content and business requirements. You do not need any license, access the courses with limited system requirements, and gain personalized learning experiences. In simple words, custom e-learning courses are not generic; rather they deliver what learners expect. This addresses the organization’s goals and delivers content you want your learners to assimilate and retain.
Off the shell elearning
This comprises training material that is already developed and ready to be used by the end-users. The best part of catalog eLearning courses is that, they fulfill the urgent training requirement, deliver content in multiple languages, and are cost-effective to train small departments.
e-Learning is a computer network-facilitated training format independent from spatial and temporal limits. The program utilizing effective and optimal knowledge acquisition and learning methods integrates educational materials, learning resources, tutor-student communication, and computerised interactive software into a unified framework system accessible for learners.
The components of the e-Learning process
e-Learning texts
Traditional paper based educational materials are not ideal for continuous further training since the printing and selling of the given text is time consuming and the respective knowledge can become obsolete by the time it reaches the students. Off-line technology based information carriers have similar limitations as an educational material stored on a CD-ROM cannot be modified after completion. New information can only be conveyed by making a new CD, which is faster than book printing, but its dissemination is expensive and requires considerable time.
The emergence of the Internet and the increasing prevalence of electronic network applications contribute to the fulfilment of the technological and methodological needs of distance education.
Framework systems and instruction software
Electronic learning environments require the application of software and server making the transmission and registration of the given text possible. Let’s explain the respective concepts!
The e-Learning framework system is a computerised software facilitating the performance and organisation of personalized learning efforts via local and global services integrated into a computerised network. Framework systems provide help in the dissemination of the educational materials, the management of the students and the learning process and the fulfilment of support and complementary tasks.
Actors in the e-Learning process
Apart from the most essential component, the learner, comprehensive e-Learning schemes include:
System managers – responsible for the operation and maintenance of the e-Learning infrastructure
Instructional administrators  – responsible for the continuous monitoring of the instruction process, the enrolment of students, the compilation of training programs, and the identification of new training needs 
Instructors – responsible for the handling of problems, questions pertaining to students, the compilation and updating of the content of educational materials.
Text developers – responsible for the conversion of traditional texts into electronic educational materials and the respective maintenance tasks.
The components of e-Learning
One of the most important functions of standardisation is the facilitation of harmonius cooperation of the components of Internet-based instruction schemes. The components are not necessarily provided by one firm, and it is possible that an e-Learning program integrates the products of various firms. In this case the smooth communication and data exchange between the elements are assured by standards. Standards are regulations entailing rationalization, quality assurance, safety, environmental protection, and communication development requirements in the field of industry, technology, science, and public administration.
The most important components or e-Learning schemes are:
Learning Management System. This system provides the instruction surface indispensable for Internet-based education.
Text. CBT instruction unit whose structure and components are regulated by standards. 
Meta data. Data facilitating data base search.
Author software. It is responsible for the production of educational materials, the sequencing of components according to standardized patterns, and the grouping of components optimalising the learning process. Author software can inlude integrated test preparation components.
General components
a) Browser. It allows anytime, anywhere access to the learning material.
b) Connection point. Learning management systems have connection points facilitating data exchange and the data processing with other systems, the web page of a different service provider, and with another data base or ERP system.