By Beth Archibald Tang

E-learning is known by a variety of terms, such as distance education, online learning, and web-based training. (There is an alphabet soup of acronyms as well: WBT, OLL, CBT, CMI.) E-learning could be an online class for credit at a high school or university, or it could be self-paced training for certification in the new company accounting system.

E-learning provides advantages, and more and more people are discovering the benefits of taking online classes. For example, online learning reduces commuting time, such as when hectic school or work schedules complicate physical class attendance. The class or training can occur at the student's convenience, which may be late at night or early in the morning.

One adjective that describes an e-learner is "motivated"; degree-seeking college students, professionals wanting specific certifications, and the curious just wanting to learn more realize that it takes dedication to attend an online class, just as it does for a "regular" one. It has been said that for every hour of online instruction, learners should plan on three hours of study.

There is a casualty rate for drop-outs when excitement of the new medium wanes. Online learning may not be for everyone, but sometimes it's the course and not the learner. Many courses labeled interactive are really just slideshow page-turners. As a result, poorly designed interface gives online learning a bad rap.

It's sometimes hard to keep work and life circumstances from overtaking the time set aside for learning. It's also important to make sure that you're getting a quality learning experience. When you decide to sign up for e-learning, consider these questions:

• Do I like computers enough to learn this way?
• Do I have space for learning, away from distractions?
• Am I comfortable that interaction with peers and the instructor will all be online?
• Am I self-motivating? Will I be able to make the time to study?
• What do others think about this company/instructor/class?

As suggested earlier, learners should know their comfort level or readiness with the online learning environment. If you're not sure, check out these self-assessment "tests" to see if you're ready.

If computer time is not a problem, then also make sure that your computer is in a place where quiet is respected by family, friends, roommates, or office mates. Some offices even provide a learning laboratory. If you're able to, shut the door to your office; you can also hang or post a "do not disturb" sign or even wear headphones to help keep you on task.

If you like interaction with other classmates, be sure to keep an eye out for the type of class you're signing up for. Some classes are simply web pages with a class mailing list or threaded discussion board. That may be your cup of tea, or not. Some other classes may be completely synchronous (everyone attends at the same time) and use whiteboards (e.g., Microsoft's NetMeeting), voice or IRC chat (e.g., AOL's Instant Messenger), and video. Other classes may be a mix of web pages, PowerPoint slides, textbook readings (yes, real books from the bookstore!), downloaded videos, journal postings in a common or private area, and email.

You'll need to be able to set a schedule and stick to it. Reread the line about the learning-to-study time ratio. Make sure that you do your assignments before class starts because you can't fake required class participation. Some classes also require that assignments be turned in or posted by a certain date, just like in real life. The neat thing, however, is that you can do group work with classmates in Australia and Spain, and communicate with the instructor in California.

Finally, before jumping headfirst into the e-learning pool, check with those in the know if the course is worth what they're charging. Is it a diploma mill or are you getting a quality product? Take what they say in the promotional materials with a grain of salt, and consult peers and publications such as the Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees Nontraditionally or Peterson's Guide to Distance Learning Programs for details. There are also online resources such as DEOS (Distance Education Online Symposium) and the American Learning Exchange. Search the archives or databases for helpful comments and resources.

If you're new to e-learning, check out these sites to learn more and maybe sign up for a free or inexpensive course or seminar:

• Blackboard.com, for courses and resources
• Training Supersite, for courses and more
• The HTML Writer's Guild, for good examples of well-designed, inexpensive online seminars

These resources provide more information about the business of e-learning:

• The Masie Center, e-learning trends and hot topics
• Interwise, for nifty live and pre-recorded seminars about the business of e-learning (requires free plug-in)

Certain types of classes lend themselves more or less readily to the online learning environment. The subject of how to tap dance may not ideal for e-learning, but a dance history class may be just the ticket. If you're interested in developing e-learning, consider these resources:

• Web-Based Training Online Learning Discussion (WBTOLL) archives
• Driscoll's Web-Based Training: Using Technology to Design Adult Learning Experiences
• Harrison's How to Design Self-Directed and Distance Learning Programs

E-learning is a growing business. Universities are getting into the act, along with the Federal government, and of course businesses. You can get college degrees online; the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) offers well-respected programs, which are completely online. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers an (unaccredited) graduate school with some distance-learning courses. Vendors such as Blackboard.com offer several tiers of e-learning services. You can even design your own e-learning and post it there for free.

This is a special article written just for DC Web Women. For related links on the topic of e-learning, visit my compilation.