Assess the relative value of e-learning in meeting the different needs of learners in schools, in full time higher education and in part time and continuing education/training.

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Assess the relative value of e-learning in meeting the different needs of learners in schools, in full time higher education and in part time and continuing education/training.

The Internet is a global network of computers, consisting of millions of smaller networks all around the world. The Internet is not in one place, neither is it owned by anyone. The origins go back to the late 1960s, when the United States government aimed to enable computer networks across the USA to continue to communicate with each other, even if some of the networks were destroyed by Russian attack. They started with four computers linked together using a computer protocol system called Internet Protocol.

Today the Internet is a vast system of intercommunicating networks, funded by businesses, governments and educational bodies. More than one hundred and fifty countries are now linked via the Internet, this number growing almost daily. As well as countries joining the Internet on an almost daily basis so are the UK's schools.

The vast growth of the Internet has had a big impact on education at all levels. This impact has not only affected what is taught in places of education, but the way in which education is delivered, particularly in higher education. Using a computer to learn is referred to as 'e-learning', which takes place in a number of different formats.

The Internet has allowed people to enrol and study courses based at universities anywhere in the world, without ever having to go there. In other words someone from Scarborough could study to gain a degree from the University of Queensland, Australia without ever having to go to Australia, as the materials needed to pass the course are delivered across the internet, similarly work for assessment is sent from the learners computer to moderators in Queensland, this is usually asynchronous and requires motivation and dedication from the learner to manage their time and work successfully. This is a style of e-learning referred to as distance learning.

The National Council for Educational Technology (NCET) has suggested a three-fold classification of e-learning levels:

* Centre-based provision - Use of online learning as part of a strategy of resource based learning in an established educational institution.

* Local provision - Computer and/or Internet based learning made available by a provider within a local area, typically through drop-in learning workshops.

* Distance learning - Organised by a national provider who offer individual study opportunities.
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The actual learning materials and resources that are delivered using ICT usually fit into one of the following categories:

Computer Aided Instruction (CAI) - 'characterised by teaching/instructional software in which the 'locus of control' lies more with the computer' (Williams, 2003). The learner is subject to testing and in cases of error the computer offers remedial material until the learner meets a target performance level.

Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) - 'is characterised by learning software in which the locus of control lies more with the learner' (Williams, 2003). This sort of material provides resources to assist ...

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