by Umar Farouk Kabir | Jun 21, 2022 | Tech & Innovation
Anyone who has used eLearning will undoubtedly tell you how effective and handy it is. Both learners and companies benefit from eLearning in today’s “always-on” era. But what is eLearning precisely?
Whether you’re an expert or a novice when it comes to eLearning, there’s no doubting its popularity has soared in the last decade. It provides organizations with a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to teaching their personnel. Employees receive easy training that improves their skills and knowledge in exchange. Organizations also use it to teach their partners and consumers in order to enhance adoption, retention, and revenue.
Let’s take a deeper look at what is eLearning, the many types and technologies available, and the benefits it may provide to your company.
What Is E-Learning All About?
Let’s begin by establishing an eLearning definition. What exactly is eLearning? The delivery of learning and training using digital resources is referred to as eLearning. Although eLearning is based on institutionalized learning, it is delivered via internet-connected electronic devices such as PCs, tablets, and even mobile phones.
This allows users to learn whenever and wherever they want, with few, if any, limitations. eLearning is a type of online training, learning, or education that is given via a computer or other digital device.
The Evolution of E-Learning
It’s essential to look back on the history of eLearning to better appreciate how it serves companies now. In 1999, Elliott Maisie invented the word “eLearning,” which was the first time it was used professionally. In the years afterward, the reputation of eLearning has become stronger.
But what reasons have aided eLearning’s rise to prominence as the most popular method of training delivery today? These elements are:
Elements that Aided the Rise of E-Learning
1. The World Wide Web
Prior to the internet, many people depended on printed manuals, CD-ROMS, and other limited learning and training techniques. With the advent of the internet, businesses were able to move away from one-dimensional approaches and embrace the flexibility of eLearning.
2. Multimedia Development
As eLearning evolved, the ability to incorporate components like photos, videos, music, and graphics proved to be a more dependable technique for keeping learners interested than traditional learning.
3. Accessible Digital Devices
Given that the first IBM computer cost about $5000 in today’s dollars, it’s easy to see how eLearning’s popularity grew as digital devices got more affordable. Mobile learning has also aided the expansion of eLearning.
4. Learning Management Systems (LMS) that are well-built
LMSs have evolved, shifting from locally installed to cloud-based systems, and enterprises are increasingly using them to deliver a variety of training. There are several factors to consider when selecting an LMS; at the very least, be sure it offers the functionality and support you’ll need to accomplish your goals and those of your students.
Advantages of E-Learning
What is eLearning all about? We need to understand its advantages as well as its types. Unlike the conventional way of teaching using a board and chalk, E-learning allows students to study at their own pace and according to their preferences.
Let’s have a look at some of the benefits of E-Learning for students:
- You have unlimited access to the study materials.
- You may study your Courses whenever and wherever you choose.
- Students get access to the most recent material whenever they choose.
- Unlike traditional instructional methods, e-learning may be delivered quickly.
- This means that the amount of time spent studying has decreased.
- E-Learning allows for scalability, which aids in the delivery of instruction.
- Through E-Learning, all students may receive the same sort of curriculum, study materials, and training.
- You may save time, money, and travel costs by using E-Learning. As a result, E-Learning is more cost-effective than traditional classroom instruction.
Types of E-Learning
At the required places, digital and self-initiated learning may be obtained. E-learning education is diverse and well-equipped to accommodate various learning styles, so there’s no need to go looking for it.
Broadly, e-learning falls into two main categories: asynchronous and synchronous.
1. Asynchronous E-Learning:
Asynchronous eLearning encompasses more than just the online course. It also refers to any offline materials that a student could utilize in addition to the eLearning course.
What are the benefits of asynchronous eLearning? Because it is not reliant on place or time, it provides learners with a great lot of freedom. The material of the course may be accessed early in the morning, late at night, at the airport, or while lying in bed.
The focus of asynchronous eLearning is on content understanding rather than on how quickly the material is digested. Because the student sets the pace, they may devote as much (or as little) time to key subjects as they like.
2. Synchronous E-Learning
Synchronous learning is a broad phrase that refers to modes of education, instruction, and learning that take place at the same time but in different locations. The word is most generally used to describe different types of televisual, digital, and online learning in which students learn in real-time from instructors, coworkers, or peers but not in person. For example, synchronous learning includes instructional video conferences, interactive webinars, chat-based online conversations, and lectures that are aired at the same time they are delivered.
Conclusion
E-Learning will assist you in creating a user-friendly and understandable learning platform. It is well-known for providing the best of both worlds: lecture and hands-on training. You can certainly increase student happiness by using eLearning to provide more dynamic and interesting courses. Now that you know what eLearning is all about, let us know what you think about eLearning and the direction it’s going down in the comment section.
FAQs
How can e-learning help students?
E-Learning allows for scalability, which aids in the delivery of instruction. Through E-Learning, all students may receive the same sort of curriculum, study materials, and training. You may save time, money, and travel costs by using E-Learning. As a result, E-Learning is more cost-effective than conventional learning.
What are the 3 main advantages of eLearning?
E-Learning saves time and money
E-learning is consistent
E-learning improves information retention is students
What are the disadvantages of E-Learning?
- Social interaction is lacking.
- Cheating is an inescapable part of life.
- Self-motivation and time management abilities are required.
- It focuses on theory rather than practice.
How might eLearning be made better?
Remove any unnecessary visuals, photos, and text from your online learning materials, reducing them to only a few elements that are well-structured, relevant, high-quality, and cleanly placed. When courses become difficult, visual aids like graphs and charts provide the opportunity to select more over less.
Must-Read: Reality As You Know It Is About To Change!
by Musa Bala | Feb 16, 2022 | Health & Wellness
Sexual Transmitted Diseases popularly abbreviated as STDs are diseases transmitted through sexual contact, caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. STDs are often confused with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), however, they aren’t actually the same thing.
An infection is when bacteria, viruses, or parasites attack the body comes before a disease. And while an infection may result in zero symptoms, a disease usually always comes with clear signs. Now that you know what STDs are, here is everything to know about STDs.
What Causes STDs?
All STDs develop from Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). STIs are often transmitted through sexual contact, including through bodily fluids or skin contact via vaginal, oral, and anal sex.
There’s a good chance you can get an STD if you are sexually active. That chance can be high if you:
- Have unprotected sex
- Don’t use condoms or use them incorrectly
- Keep multiple sex partners
What Are The Symptoms of STDs?
STDs aren’t always asymptomatic or may only develop mild symptoms. It is possible to not know you have it, but still pass it on to others. If there are symptoms, they are not limited to but may include:
- Pain or discomfort during sexual activity or urination
- Sores or rashes in or around the mouth, vagina, penis, testicle, anus, or buttocks
- Unusual discharge or bleeding from the penis or vagina
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
What Are the Types Of STDs?
STDs are serious illnesses to which treatment is utmost. STDs such as HIV can’t be cured and are deadly. By learning everything to know about STDs, you’ll be able to protect yourself from the many types of STDs.
There are over 20 types of STDs, including:
- Chlamydia
- Genital herpes
- Gonorrhea
- HIV/AIDS
- HPV
- Pubic lice
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Syphilis
- Trichomoniasis
How Do You Prevent STDs?
Since all STDs develop from STIs, the best way to prevent contracting an STD will be to avoid STIs. And the most effective way to do that will be to avoid sexual contact.
However, they are other ways to make sexual contacts safer, thereby reducing the chances of getting an STI. They are:
- Get tested for STIs often; It is very important when you have new or multiple sex partners.
- Always use condoms, and make use of them properly.
- Talk about sexual health with your sex partner(s) and decide what is comfortable for you.
How Are STDs Treated?
As stated earlier, STDs are caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. STDs caused by bacteria or parasites can be treated with antibiotics. Unfortunately, there is no cure for STDs caused by viruses, but the symptoms can be managed with drugs, thereby lowering the risk of spreading the infection.
Some STDs such as HPV and hepatitis B can also be prevented with the use of vaccines.
Common Myths about STDs You Should Avoid
So much misinformation gets passed around STDs. You do need to stay informed and learn what’s true and what’s not. Here is some of the most common misinformation around STDs:
1. Only “Trashy” People Get STDs
The first thing to know about STDs is that they do not discriminate. Anyone can get them, whether you are poor, rich, a professor, a religious scholar, even someone just having sex for the first time. The best way to prevent STDs is to stay away from any sexual contact.
When you decide to have sex, always use a condom.
2. STDs Have a Certain Look
STDs don’t always develop symptoms. But it is possible to carry and spread an infection even if you feel completely healthy. People with STDs might not know they have them. Even professional medical doctors can’t tell if someone has an STD by just looking, they have to carry out tests to ascertain that.
Read: This Is What You Need to Know About Rh Factor.
In addition, even when you and your partner feel healthy, you should go for a medical check-up before having sexual relations.
3. STDs Can’t Be Transmitted through Oral and Anal Sex
This is likely the most shared misinformation around STDs. The same bacteria or viruses that cause STDs can get into the body through tiny cuts in the mouth and the anus, as well as the penis and vagina. Some STDs can spread through just skin contact with an infected area such as herpes or genital warts.
4. You Can’t Get STD More Than Once
Most people think that once they’ve had an STD and treated it, there’s no chance they’ll get infected by that same STD again. This is so not true. Some STDs such as herpes and HIV are yours for life.
Some like gonorrhoea and chlamydia can be treated but you may get infected again when you have sexual relations with someone infected.
5. If You’ve Been Tested STD-Free, Your Partner Is STD-Free Too
Just as stated earlier, STDs can be asymptomatic, people might have an STD and do not know it. It is advised that when you get tested as STD-free, encourage your partner to guttered too. Or better still, get tested together. No one will want to be tested free from STD only to get it from their partner.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About STDs
Q: Am I at risk of an STD?
A: If you’re or you’ve had vaginal, anal, or oral sex you are at risk of being infected by an STD. Some STDs can be passed through sexual interactions and plays that do not involve intercourse. STDs affect people of all backgrounds, races, and economic levels.
Q: Shouldn’t I only get tested when I have a new sex partner?
A: No! You should get tested for STDs at least once a year. However, if you engage in high-risk sexual activities such as frequent change of sex partners, sex with multiple people, or unprotected sex, it is advised you get tested every three to six months.
Q: I have been diagnosed with an STD, what should I do?
A: Once you’ve been diagnosed with an STD, the first thing to do is not to panic, as it doesn’t help in any way. Contact your health care provider immediately for treatment. It is strongly advised that you notify your sex partner(s) so they could get tested also. This will reduce the risk of you being re-infected after successful treatment. You and all of your sex partners must avoid sex until treatment is complete and all symptoms have disappeared.
In the case of STDs caused by viruses such as HIV, genital herpes, and hepatitis which have no cure, special care and measures can help control the infection and maximize health.
Q: Can an STD lead to cancer?
A: STDs increase a person’s risk for several types of cancer. Some high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) are known to be cervical cancer in women and penile cancers in men. HPV can also cause cancers of the mouth, throat, and anus in both men and women.
Viral hepatitis B and C has have been associated with liver cancer, and untreated HIV/AIDS increases might lead to several types of rare cancers, such as lymphomas, sarcomas, and cervical cancer.
Q: Do STDs cause infertility?
A: Infertility is linked to STDs mostly when they are left untreated. Whereas gonorrhoea and chlamydia can be easily cured, however, when left untreated they could lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) which can cause chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside of the uterus), and infertility in women. In men, they might lead to epididymitis, which causes painful urination and fever.
Conclusion
Symptoms of STDs can be mild or severe, either way. STDs are serious illnesses that if left untreated can develop into serious health complications. Many STDs can be treated but not all of them can be cured, although the symptoms can be managed.
After learning everything to know about STDs, it is important to note that the best way to avoid STDs is not to have sex, if you do; use a condom and get tested regularly. Early detection and treatment of STDs are an advantage in maintaining your sexual health.
