Communication and Collaboration Tools As eLearning Resources

How the communication and collaboration tools we are considering are valuable as eLearning resources. 

Scott Dempster

Yvonne Francis

Cynthia Gee-Ling

Naushad Jamani

Sylvia Murcia-Jones

Mariam Razvi

• General overview
• Primary tools: synchronous communication
• Primary tools: asynchronous communication
• Other tools
• Individual contributions and tool usage
• Closing comments
• References

General overview

E-learning is often thought of as a learning medium in which the learner works independently and will not be required to interact with others. However, there has been a global shift in thought towards collaborative learning methods. The use of group work, discussions, and interactions through several other online communication and collaboration tools are an important part of the e-learning process and will also enrich the learning experience. There is conscience effort on the instructor’s part to create a classroom where learners may interact with others in a virtual environment. This is usually done from the beginning of any e-learning program where learners are asked to introduce themselves to their peers. This way, the instructor has an opportunity to create a comfortable atmosphere where learners feel inclined to participate and perhaps even stimulate discussions with other learners.

This collaborative paper attempts to describe the benefits of using various communicative and collaborative tools in an e-learning environment; identify how several of these tools will practically be applied to various e-learning programs being created by the authors. We will also indicate the collaborative tools and process used to create this blog.