e-learning and classroom learning are blending together rather than replacing each other, points out Dr. R Srinivasan. N this means that e-learning is an extension, not a replacement for classroom training

"CONVERGENCE", that is the confluence of data, voice and video has made the materials for e-learning very attractive and effective. WRHAMBRECHT+CO in its white paper "Corporate e-learning: Exploring a New Frontier" says that the world of training is converging, seeing convergence from a different perspective. It says that organizations involved in providing training for corporate sectors have started providing the educational/training need through customized contents and services. The report also brings out the trend that while corporate training vendors are turning towards soft skills and management training, those involved in soft skills training are taking up the technical field, but both through the network. It is also said that corporate trainers report that e-learning and classroom learning are blending together rather than replacing each other. This means that e-learning is an extension rather than replacement for classroom training.

This is true in the case of adopting e-learning in formal education sector also. The report of eLearnframe entitled, "Facts, figures and forces behind e-learning" (dated August 2000), stresses that while technology can take American schools into the 21st century, we need to first of all bring the schools to the 20th century, i.e. it means that the so called K-12 schools have been slower to adopt to technology. Maybe that view has changed now in 2001 because we see in our own country e-learning is picking up very well even at middle school and high school levels. A clear example of this is as per the report of Times of India, dated April 9, 2001. It talks about the programme with a web site address www.classteacher.com.

Whether it is to meet the requirements of a corporate or a student, the most important aspect of the e-learning package is the way the courses are organized. In this competitive world where people want to have a short learning time through the Internet, the designers must be able to provide frequent updates, illustrations and case studies. Because learning is online, the users must also be able to assess themselves about their progress for which an exhaustive set of examples, questions and exercises are a must at the end of every chapter. To quote again from www.classteacher.com, following is a very impressive statement of youngster Ayush Pant, Class VI of Sanskrit School, New Delhi. It reads this, "I take a quiz on classteacher.com after each chapter I study its so much fun and that way I almost never forget what I've learnt". These words and also his eagerness and enthusiasm to learn through e-learning must be an inspiration for all at all levels.

(The author is Chief Technology Officer, Internet Component Management Group, Bangalore and can be contacted at: r.srinivasan@iCMGworld.com)