Using
the Web for Learning: Advantages and Disadvantages
by Kevin Kruse
Advantages of Web-based Learning
The general benefits of Web-based training when
compared to traditional instructor-led training
include all those shared by other types of technology-based
training. These benefits are that the training
is usually self-paced, highly interactive, results
in increased retention rates, and has reduced
costs associated with student travel to an instructor-led
workshop.
When compared to CD-ROM training, the benefits
of Web-based training stem from the fact that
access to the content is easy and requires no
distribution of physical materials. This means
that Web-based training yields additional benefits,
among them:
Access is available anytime, anywhere, around
the globe. Students always have access to a potentially
huge library of training and information whether
they are working from home, in the office, or
from a hotel room. As cellular modems become more
popular, students will even be able to access
training in a place that doesn't have a traditional
phone line or network connection.
Per-student equipment costs are affordable. Almost
any computer today equipped with a modem and free
browser software can access the Internet or a
private Intranet. The cost of setup is relatively
low.
Student tracking is made easy. Because students
complete their training while they are connected
to the network, it is easy to implement powerful
student-tracking systems. Unlike with CD-ROMs
that require students to print reports or save
scores to disk, WBT enables the data to be automatically
tracked on the server-computer. This information
can be as simple as who has accessed the courseware
and what are their assessment scores, to detailed
information including how they answered individual
test questions and how much time they spent in
each module.
Possible "learning object" architecture
supports on demand, personalized learning. With
CD-ROM training, students have access only to
the information that can be held by one CD-ROM.
The instructional design for this type of delivery,
therefore, has been to create entire modules and
distinct lessons. But with WBT, there is virtually
no storage limitation and content can be held
on one or more servers. The best WBT is designed
so that content is "chunked" into discrete
knowledge objects to provide greater flexibility.
Students can access these objects through pre-defined
learning paths, use skill assessments to generate
personal study plans, or employ search engines
to find exact topics.
Content is easily updated. This is perhaps the
single biggest benefit to WBT. In today's fast-paced
business environment, training programs frequently
change. With CD-ROM and other forms of training,
the media must be reduplicated and distributed
again to all the students. With WBT it is a simple
matter of copying the updated files from a local
developer's computer onto the server-computer.
The next time students connect to the Web page
for training, they will automatically have the
latest version.
Limitations of Web-based Learning
There are only two real disadvantages to WBT,
and both will be overcome in the next five to
ten years as high bandwidth network connections
become as common as telephones. The first drawback,
when compared to live instruction, is the lack
of human contact, which greatly impacts learning.
WBT is better than CD-ROM learning in this regard.
Students can use their Web connection to e-mail
other students, post comments on message boards,
or use chat rooms and videoconference links to
communicate live. While this type of interaction
is helpful, and an improvement over CD-ROM learning,
it still doesn't have the impact of a live workshop.
With higher speed connections and improved conferencing
software, one day students around the world will
be able to communicate in real time with each
other through full-screen video.
The second major drawback is the lack of multimedia
in many WBT programs. The use of audio and video
are critical to creating compelling metaphors,
realistic job simulations, and accommodating different
learning styles. Full multimedia delivered over
corporate Intranets is possible, and many companies
are doing it (see Case Studies in this book for
examples). But in most cases, even if students
have a high-bandwidth Intranet connection, corporate
information technology departments don't want
large media files used because it slows down the
entire network. The result is that most WBT programs
are still comprised of text and graphics alone.
Once again, the bandwidth problem will be solved
in the near future with advancements in network
protocol standards and software compression.
Using Web-based training, like all other delivery
media, has advantages and disadvantages. Trainers
and designer must carefully weigh these against
the profiles of other options on a case-by-case
basis.
Source: e-Learning
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