Emerging Trends in E-Learning | Crash Course for UGC NET Education PDF Download

Emerging Trends in E-Learning

E-Learning

E-learning or electronic learning is the type of learning carried out, facilitated or supported by some or the other electronic gadgets, media or resources. It facilitates the use of electronic media, like microphones and listening devices, like audio and video tapes.

In this sense, e-learning may call for the services of the advanced electronic information and communication media like CD-ROMs, DVDs, tele-conferencing, video conferencing, computer based conferencing, e-mail, live chat, surfing on the internet and web browsing, online reference libraries, video game-style simulation, customised e-learning courses and web biogs.

According to Rosenberg (2001), "e-learning refers to the use of the internet technologies to deliver a broad array of solutions to enhance knowledge and performance".

According to Santheesh Kumar and Saggy John, "Though computers are used for instruction and learning, the non-web technology does not come under e-learning. The entire computer based instruction, like computer assisted instruction and computer managed instruction, integrated learning systems, multimedia, interactive video, virtual reality, Artificial Intelligence, etc, are not delivered through the internet but are still used for learning and instruction that cannot be included in e-learning. However, when these techniques are delivered via the internet for instruction and learning, it becomes e-learning".

Nature and Characteristics of E-Learning

•

It is used to refer to computer enhanced learning.

•

It is a type of online learning carried out through the internet or web-enabled technology.

•

It conveys broader meaning compared to the terms computer based teaching and computer aid instruction.

•

It should not be taken as synonymous to audio-visual learning. Now a days, multimedia technology and distance education programmes rests heavily on the use of the internet and web services provided through the computers, yet these identical but complementary

•

It is restricted to the type of e-learning carried out, facilitated or supported through web-enhanced instructions and the internet based communication, like e-mail, audio and video conferencing, mail list, live chats and telephone

Emerging Trends in E-Learning

The technological trends of e-learning are enormous and growing at a very rapid pace. Some of the emerging trends of e-learning are mobile learning, micro-learning, adaptive e-learning, Artificial Intelligence, etc. All these trends help people to get access to a world class learning experience.

The technological trends of e-learning are enormous and growing at a very rapid pace. In this competitive world, daily new trends are being emerged to provide good learning techniques to the learner. It helps people to get access to a world class learning experience, when traditional learning may not be possible due to financial, personal or any other constraint.

Some of the emerging trends of e-learning are

Mobile Learning

It is the ability of an individual to obtain or provide educational content on personal pocket devices, such as PDAs, smartphones and mobile phones. Mobile phones are considered to the best platform for e-learning because

•

It has the potential to reach masses

•

Carried all the time

•

Easy to use

•

Just in time learning.

Micro-Learning

It is a way of teaching and delivering content to learners in small, very specific bursts.

The main benefits of this kind of learning are-

•

Rich media

•

Accessible

•

Less time consuming

•

Just in time

•

Learner-centric Less time consuming

•

Learner-centric

Gamification

This type of e-learning is through games and it really depends on the program and the audience desires.

Some of the benefits of gamification in e-learning are-

•

Better learning experience

•

Helps to remember for long time

•

Instant feedback

•

Better learning experience

Adaptive E-Learning

Adaptive e-learning uses computers as interactive teaching devices. These methods arrange the allocation of human and mediated resources according to the unique learning needs of each learner.

Some major benefits of this technological trend in case of e-learning are-

•

Very rich study resources

•

Saves a lot of time of learners

Augmented Reality

This technology superimposes a computer generated image on a user's view of the real world. It is really a great boon technology for the students or learners in general. This technology needs devices, internet and software of augmented reality.

Some benefits of augmented reality in case of e-/earning can be as follows-

•

Easy, instant and deep learning of things

•

Huge collection of information

Internet of Things (IOT)

It refers to the ever growing network of physical things or objects around us which hold IP addresses for internet connectivity and the communication that occurs between these connected objects and other internet enabled devices and systems.

Some major benefits of IOT in case of e-learning are-

•

Learner is part of the learning system as an entity Some of the advantages are

•

Continuous tracking of learner by the system

•

Continuous updates to learners

Cloud Based E-Learning

This type of e-learning creates ripples in the field of education and business. These learning systems are hosted on the internet and can be easily accessed by logging into a service provider's site. Rather than installing all the software and course on the user's computer, the instructional designer will simply use their internet browsers to upload course content, create new courses and communicate with learners and users directly.

•

Faster development

•

Cost predictability

•

Easier to maintain

•

Learner oriented service request

•

More storage space

Video E-Learning

This kind of e-learning helps the learner to grasp the content by watching the videos. This kind of e-learning gives a very quick idea and helps to understand things with multimedia effects. This serves as a very effective medium of e-learning.

Some benefits of video e-learning can be as follows-

•

Video explanation

•

More information in less time.

•

Best learning experience.

Becon E-Learning

Becon e-learning is a wireless device that transmits signals or other nearby devices via low-energy bluetooth connections. This is used in Indoor Positioning System (IPS).

Some great benefits of this technological trend are-

•

Better accessibility.

•

More powerful communication.

•

Increased intellectual discovery.

•

Insightful data.

•

Improved in-class experiences.

Artificial Intelligence

It is something like intelligent software which is designed to take some intelligent actions reading the entire environment around it. The involvement of artificial intelligence in e-learning helps the learner to make very wise decisions and quality resources, which in turn helps the learner to excel and make his achievements at a faster pace.

Some major benefits of Al in case of e-learning are

•

Provides expert tutors for learners

•

Automated teaching

•

Rich information

Social Learning

Social learning is learning from others. This kind of learning can occur through direct as well as indirect contact. Direct contact refers to face to face interactions whereas indirect contact refers to interactions on social media. It creates a learning setting where learners can network, share, collaborate and exchange ideas on problem-solving. It is the learning that takes place through social interaction between peers and it may or may not lead to a change in attitude or behaviour.

•

If learning is to be considered 'social,' then it must demonstrate a change in understanding that has taken place in the individuals involved. This may be at a surface level (recalling new information) or deeper levels (change in attitude, beliefs).

•

go beyond the individual to become situated within wider social units or communities of practice within society.

•

occur through social interactions and processes within a social network, either through direct interaction (conversation) or through other media (social media).

Thus, social learning may be defined as a change in understanding that goes beyond the individual to become situated within wider social units or communities of practice through social interactions between actors within a social network. It includes tools, like Web 2.0, social networking sites, biogs, chats, video-conferencing and discussion forums for learning.

World Wide Web/Web 2.0

Web 2.0 is simply an improved version of the first World Wide Web, characterized specifically by the change from static to dynamic user generated content and also the growth of social media. The concept behind web 2.0 refers to rich web architecture and social web. It refers to applications, web-oriented to changes in the ways web pages are designed and used by the users, without any change in any technical specifications. Web 2.0 examples include hosted services (Google Maps), web applications (Google Docs), video sharing sites (You Tube), biogs (WordPress), social networking (Facebook), microblogging (Twitter) and content hosting services and many more. It enables users to create, share, collaborate and communicate their work with others, without any need of any web design skills. These capabilities were not present in web 1.0. By using web 2.0 tools in the learning process, students have the opportunity to develop their learning skills as they learn new research methods, become independent researchers, develop skills in creative thinking, solve problems, become team workers, manage their own development and education.

Web 2.0 tools support a Constructivist approach to education where students discover and construct knowledge as opposed to acquiring it. This enables a two-way knowledge exchange where students cannot only obtain information from the internet, but also contribute and upload knowledge to it.

Teachers and educators need to embrace this new approach in their teaching strategies, and should provide an infrastructure to support the construction rather than the transfer of knowledge. Empowering students to take charge of their learning shifts and the role of the teacher from instructor to learning partner. Learners are given greater choice by providing different ways of navigating through curriculum content. Giving student

ownership of their learning promotes a deeper understanding of concepts. However, there is a need to create a balance between the freedom and creativity of developing learning experience and ensuring that some level of structure is adhered, so that effective learning can take place.

Advantages

•

Form a partnership with schools in different countries,

•

Vast amount of information is available on the website.

•

A distant education institute helps its students around the world (apply or register to course).

•

It facilitates rapid interactive communication.

•

It involves low cost for initial connection.

•

It has become the global media and is accessible from everywhere in the world.

•

Learners can actively be involved in knowledge building

•

It provides real time discussion.

Disadvantages

•

Danger of excess and worthless content.

•

Net often becomes overloaded because of the large number of users.

•

No quality control over available data.

•

There is no regulation.

Social Networking sites

A social networking site is a platform to build social networks or social relations among people, who share interests, activities, backgrounds and real-life connections. Most social network sites are web based and provide a variety of ways for users to interact, such as e-mail and instant messaging services, etc. Some examples of social networking sites are Pinterest, Yahoo, Skype, lnstagram, Linked In, YouTube, Google, Twitter, Facebook, Gmail, etc. same.

Advantages

For Students

•

Improvement of communication skills.

•

Improvement of technological skills.

•

Increase in the exposure of diverse views.

•

Develops a positive image.

•

Increase the engagement of learning.

•

Encourage students to express their own thoughts.

•

Build an online learning community.

For Teachers

•

Increase the access to resources.

•

Collaborate with other staff.

•

Exchange information and plan lessons.

•

Reach to parents who are not able to come to school. .

•

Get feedback from schools and events.

•

Communicate effectively with parents.

Disadvantages

•

It can lead to online bullying.

•

Distraction from academic study.

•

It might result in wastage of time.

Biogs

It is a term used for web log. It is like an online diary of a journal, except they are not private, instead they are created for an audience. And just like a diary or journal, a blog makes an easy and comfortable way for students to write. Biogs are written on all kinds of topics. Readers can usually leave comments, which lead to discussions about the blog's content. For example, a blog about flipping your classroom

can lead to a discussion between novice and experienced teachers about common questions, advice, tips, and clarifications. Few examples of biogs are Kidblog, Edublog, Word press, etc.

Advantages

•

Teachers can publish assignments, resources and keep students and parents up to date on class events, due dates and content being covered.

•

Teachers can also use biogs to help students to master content and to improve their writing skills.

•

Students can use biogs to publish their writing and educate others on a particular topic.

•

Enhance student's communication skills and increase student's investment in learning.

Disadvantages

•

It is time consuming.

•

It involves a lot of effort to maintain the quality of the content on the site.

•

Hard to grade and assess for educators.

•

Learners can be distracted easily.

•

Lack of speaking and listening skills training.

Chats

Web based chat platforms are gaining popularity as teachers look for ways to incorporate technology in the curriculum. Achieving the education goal with texting and other digital communication, well implemented electronic chats can support learner's critical thinking. It helps students to establish a direct connection with the instructor as well as classmates.

Advantages

•

It promotes real time collaborations.

•

It leads to deeper processing of class material.

Disadvantages

•

Teachers are required to perform an intentional planning to establish online etiquettes and a process for orderly turn taking, so that every student should get a chance to participate.

•

It is difficult for teachers to ensure student's safety.

Video-Conferencing

Video-conferencing is a technology that allows users in different locations to hold face to face meetings without moving to a single location together. It can also be used as a medium for conducting training, with the instructor, teaching a remote class from mostly anywhere.

It possesses wide educational applications for the best possible outcomes of the tele-conferencing system. It made it easy for the students, sitting in a classroom at one location can discuss a project with students at different locations. These students can see real time video images of a classroom in a distant location. The learners can type the messages on the screen in a 'chat window'.

Advantages

•

Students can easily exchange information, can have conversations and can get immediate feedback.

•

Learners can write and can share ideas of their own composition and can have evaluation on them.

•

Students can work on a joint project by adopting the mode of tele-conferencing.

•

Students can share ideas and information for better understanding and application of learned material.

Disadvantages

•

There can be a short time lag between speaking and receiving a response that can disrupt the natural flow of conversation.

•

It requires high internet connectivity.

•

A set of high quality video-conferencing systems is costly.

•

It lacks personal interaction.

Discussion Forum

A discussion forum is a virtual place on the internet where conversations can take place and information can be shared more easily among a geographically dispersed group of people. Discussion forums can be public or private, depending on the forum's objective and desired level of access into the forum. It's a good idea to use discussion forums instead of direct personal email whenever privacy or Security concerns Don prevent it, even when the communication only involves two project members.

Learners join the discussion forum and their questions are posted and stored for everyone to read and respond. Students can have discussions with each other on course related topics.

Advantages

•

Engage students in active learning.

•

Promotes growth for collaborative learning communities.

•

Learner's queries are posted and responded to.

•

Provides flexibility to students, as they can use it anywhere and anytime.

Disadvantages

•

Discussions can go beyond the topic.

•

It requires consistent input of teachers.

•

It can be hindered by technical problems (server down or network down).

•

It needs to be monitored for an inappropriate posting.

Whereas the development of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) is rooted in the ideals of openness in education. The knowledge should be shared freely and the desire to learn should be met without demographic, economic and geographical constraints.

Open Education Resources (OER)

Open Educational Resources are freely accessible, openly licensed text, media and other digital assets that are useful for teaching, learning and assessing as well as for research purposes. The development and promotion of open educational resources is often motivated by a desire to provide an alternate or enhanced educational paradigm. According to William and Flora Hewlett, "Teaching Learning and

research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license, that permits their free use and re-purposing by others. It includes full courses, course materials, modules, textbooks, streaming videos, tests, software and any other tools, materials or techniques, used to support access to knowledge".

According to UNESCO, "Teaching-learning and research materials in any medium, digital or that resides in the public domain or have been released under an open license that permits no-cost use, adoption and access,

redistribution by others with no or limited restrictions. Open licensing is built within the existing framework of intellectual property rights as defined by relevant international conventions and respects the authorship of the work".

Thus, we can conclude that OERs are learning materials that can be modified and enhanced because their creators have given others permission to do so. The individual or organisations that creates OERs which include materials, like presentation, slides, podcast, syllabi images, lesson plans, lecture videos, maps, worksheets and even entire book's waive, some copyright associated with their works via legal tools, like creative commons licenses, so others can freely access, reuse, translate and modify them.

Characteristics of OER

•

Clear copyright issues,

•

Formatting of web and accessibility for reuse.

•

Addition of descriptive meta-data.

•

Published on the web.

•

Available to all faculties, students and institutions.

•

Shared openly and freely..

Educational resources are no longer static but adaptable and widely available, allowing educational institutions, teachers and learners to actively participate in a global exchange of knowledge via Open Education Resources (OER). Creative commons provides the legal and technical infrastructure essential to the long term success of OER.

Creative Commons

It is a non-profit organisation that enables the sharing and use of creativity and knowledge through free legal tools. Creative common licenses allow content's creators to openly declare the level of sharing that is allowed with their work.

Most OER's resources use Creative Commons (CC) licences because they are well known blanket licenses that are free and easy to use. A creator only needs to select a type of CC licence that they want from the CC website.

It creates a "Some Rights Reserved Model'. The copyright owner retains copyright ownership in their work, while inviting certain uses of their work by the public. Its licences create choice and options for the copyright's Owner.

Thus, CC licensing is a legally valid and accepted form of licensing and is meant to work in conjunction with and to support the 'All Rights Reserved Model'.

Applications of creative commons

CC licences types CC consist of four rights.

The four creative commons licenses are given below-

Icons Rights Short Description This license lets others to distribute , cnix, tweak o Attribution (BY) and build upon your work, even commercially, as long as they credit you for the original creation. Ł Non-Commercial Licenses may copy, distribute, display and perform the work and can make derivative works (NC) based on it, only for non-commercial purposes No Derivative Licenses may copy, distribute, display and © Works (NDW) perform only verbatim copies of the work. not derivative works based on it. Ł Licenses may distribute derivative works only Share Alike (SA) under a license, identical to the license that governs the original work.

CC Facilitates Innovation in Education

CC licenses help educators to broaden the impact of their educational resources and the needs of their students and find relevant DER.

CC Enables Translation of Educational Resources into Different Languages: When educational resources released under a CC licence permitting adaptations, anyone interested in the subject matter may translate those resources.

CC Enables Educational Resources to Evolve and be Improved: CC licensed OER are living documents that can be built upon and improved not only by authors but by students as well.

CC Enables Easier Discovery of Educational Resources on the Web: CC has broadened the impact of OER by embedding each of its licenses with software code that makes the license terms machine readable i.e. discoverable by a search engine.

Structure of CC Licensing

Icons Short Description This license lets others to distribute. remix, tweak, and build upon your work, even commercially, as long as they credit you for the original creation. This is the most accommodating of licenses ottered. Recommended for maximum dissemination and use of licensed materials. This license lets others to remix. tweak and build upon your work even for commercial purposes, as long as they credit you and license their new creations under the identical terms. This license is often compared to copyleft free and open source software licenses. �a r■-1 aw This license allows for redistribution, commercial cc) "�and non-commercial, as long as it is passed along SE ■unchanged and in whole, with credit to you. � This license lets others ro remix, tweak and built upon your work non-commercially and althougt their new works must also acknowledge you anc be non-commercial, they don't have to licens# their derivative works on the same terms. This license lets others to remix, tweak and builc upon your work non-commercially, as long as they credit you and license you new creations, unde the identical terms. This license is the most restrictive of the six mair licenses, only allowing others to download you, works and to share them with others as long as they credit you, but they can't change them in any way or use them commercially

It is used to secure various contents over the internet. It is used to safeguard the contents on the web pages, it can be videos, documents, pictures and audios, etc.

Massive Open Online Courses {MOOC}

A MOOC is an online course aimed at unlimited participation and open access via the web. In addition to traditional course materials, such as filmed lectures, readings and problem sets, many MOOCs provide interactive user forums to support community interactions among students and professors. They are recent and widely researched developments in distance education, which were first introduced in 2008 and emerged as a popular mode of learning in 2012.

Earlier, they often emphasised open access features, such as open licensing content, structure and learning goals, to promote the reuse and remixing of resources, but later they use closed licenses for their course materials, while maintaining free access to students.

They can be seen as a term related to the scalability of an open and online education. They are courses designed for a large number of participants that can be accessed by anyone and at anywhere as long as they have an internet connection, open to everyone without entry qualifications and offer a free complete course experience.

Applications of MOOC

•

It gives an open access to ask queries to professors.

•

It contains open courses for all interested, regardless of location, resulting in a more diverse student's base.

•

Students can collaborate with their peers from different parts of the world.

•

It provides an opportunity for online interaction among students. Students can share work, critique and receive other's feedback.

•

It helps professors to reevaluate their pedagogical methods, while improving knowledge sharing.

E-lnclusion

E-inclusion refers to the degree to which information and communication technologies contribute to equalising and promoting participation in society at all levels. According to Hewlett Packard, "The purpose of the e-inclusion initiative is to fill the gap between the technologically empowered communities and the technologically excluded communities on our planet by making it profitable to do so". It is a social movement, whose goal is to end the digital divide, a term used to describe the fact that the world can be divided into people, who have and who don't have access to and the capability to use modern Information Technology {IT). It has the power to close the gap between developed and less developed countries and to promote democracy and mutual understanding. It empowers disadvantaged individuals, such as poor, disabled and the unemployed.

Applications of Assistive Technology in E-learning

It is a technology used by individuals with disabilities, in order to perform functions that might be difficult or impossible for them. It includes mobility devices, such as walkers and wheelchairs, as well as hardware and software techniques that assist people with disabilities in accessing computers or other information technologies.

For example, people with limited hand function may use a keyboard with large keys or a special mouse to operate a computer, people who are blind may use a software that reads text on the screen, people with low vision may use software that enlarges screen content, people who are deaf may use a TTY {Text Telephone) or people with speech impairments may use a device that speaks loudly as they enter text via keyboard.

It is a broad concept, covering everything that might be used to compensate for lack of certain abilities ranging from low-tech devices, like crutches or a special grip for a pen to more advanced items, like hearing aids and glasses, to high-tech devices, such as braillers and computers with specialised softwares for helping dyslexics to read.

Despite the positive impacts and advancement of AT, use of AT in inclusive education is still limited to developed countries.

Some other assistive devices for different categories of disability are discussed below-

Assistive Devices for Visually Impaired Children Computer screen magnification, descriptive video services, screen readers, Braille, scanning software, independent text reading, audio devices and Braille n otetakers.

Assistive Devices for Hearing Impaired Children Personal Frequency Modulation (FM), Infrared Systems, Infrared Loop Systems, Text Telephones (TTY), Computerised Speech Recognition, Closed Captioned T.V.

Assistive Devices for Speech Impaired Children Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), first words, picture exchange communication system, hand held (portable) or computer electronic speech devices.

Assistive Devices for Orthopedically Impaired Children Computer accessibility, adapted recreation equipment, daily living equipment, access to classroom or workspace science laboratory.

Assistive Devices for Children Having Learning Disabilities Abbreviation expanders, paper based computer pen, electronic math worksheets, free form database software.

Quality of E-learning

The quality of education can be defined from three perspectives that are technological, economic and pedagogical. The quality standards were associated with particular outcomes in the past. This meant that quality was evaluated on the basis of course quality and pre-defined learning outcomes. This approach has changed in the recent year due to the introduction has changed in the recent year due to the introduction of e-learning.

It must be said that e-learning is not just another way of implementation of traditional teaching, but it is a new approach to education. Quality of e-learning can be assessed by two ways i.e. through benchmarking or by the specification of standards. Benchmarking means the comparison of performance and results achieved by the evaluated entity against the results and performance of the entity operating under comparable conditions. When standards are defined, the performance is set by comparing them with standards. It is necessary to implement a system of quality that ensures the required minimum level of e-learning quality across the curriculum.

D & MIS Success Model

In 2003, DeLone and Mclean introduced an update to their earlier 1992 IS model. According to them, Quality has three major dimensions that is Information quality, system quality and service quality. Their model also includes intention to use and net benefit as given in below diagram.

-Availability -Adaptability -Reliability System -Response time] IQuality Information Is: -clear -accurate -sufficient -up to date Informal Ion Quality -Assurance [Service -Responsiveness]>] Quality -Empathy -Frequency -Duration -Intensity -Nature satisfaction

It has been widely used to gauge success. It has been modified to meet the requirements of information systems. IS aspects to e-learning systems, the programmed level enables learning, communication, programme and course delivery and other user based activities. This model has been widely used by IS researchers for understanding and measuring the dimensions of IS success. The dimensions of IS includes

System Quality: The desirable characteristics of an information system. For example, ease of use, system's flexibility, system's reliability and ease of learning as well as system features of cuitiveness, sophistication, flexibility and response time.

Information Quality: The desirable characteristics of the system outputs, that is management reports and web pages, for example, relevance, understandability, accuracy, conciseness, completeness, currency, timeliness and usability.

Service Quality: The quality of the support that system's users receive from the IS department and IT support panel. For example, responsiveness, accuracy, reliability, technical competence and empathy of the personal staff.

System Use: The degree and manner in which staff and customers utilise the capabilities of an information system. For example, amount of use, frequency of use, nature of use, appropriateness of use, extent of use and purpose of use.

User's Satisfaction: User's level of satisfaction with reports, websites, and support services, for example, the most widely multi-attribute instrument for measuring user's information satisfaction.

Net Benefits: The extent to which IS is contributing to the success of individuals, groups, organisations, industries and nations. For example, improved decision-making, improved productivity, increased sales, cost reduction, improved profits, market efficiency, consumer welfare, creation of new jobs and economic development,

Thus, Delone and MCLean's IS Success Model is a successful model for developing comprehensive e-commerce success measures. The complex, multidimensional and interdependent nature of the model requires careful attention to the definition and measurement of each dimension of this dependent variable.

Ethics in E-learning

According to Collin's Essential English Dictionary, "Ethics is defined as a code of behaviour, usually that of a particular group, profession or an individual". According to Toprak Eta I, "In the field of education, ethics is significantly rooted in the concern with equal access to education by anyone, regardless of gender, nationality, ideological differences and physical or mental disabilities". Need for ethics is born because of the 'psychological distance' arising from the absence of face to face interaction within an online community of e-learners. It implies that in any classroom situation, no less than a virtual classroom, both learners and teachers are expected to know and to follow the acceptable ethical norms. Thereby, creating an educational atmosphere that is conducive to optimal teaching and learning, everyone knows

his/her role and has the obligation to exercise it. Also, individual factors, such as differences in age, cultural, academic, political and religious backgrounds, coupled with different attitudes towards e-learning, necessitate that some ground rules should be laid down to ensure that all are on the same page of thought. Therefore, acceptable behaviour in the traditional classroom is just as valid and needed in the virtual classroom.

E-learner and E-teacher

In an online community of e-learners and e-teachers, ethics demand that the established communication protocol should be set between all parties, while instructional ethics places this on us and on the e-teacher to comply accordingly.

The ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (1992), highlights the few key ethical concerns, applicable to all online users, namely, contributing to society and human well-being, avoiding harm to others, being honest and trustworthy, being fair and takes actions not to discriminate, honouring property's rights including copyrights and patents, giving proper credit for intellectual property, respecting the privacy of others and honouring confidentiality. The list reiterates the need for mutual respect, justice and goodwill in one's conduct, when engaging others online.

Following are some of the etiquettes, most commonly required during engagement in any online teaching-learning environment:

•

Avoid off the topic messages that may disturb or annoy other participants.

•

Be careful of the tone of language, while writing a message.

•

Do not send insulting messages (e.g. comments about spelling mistakes) or launch personal attacks on other participants in an online discussion.

•

Do not post advertisements and commercial messages, political and religious messages and hoaxes.

•

Do not send messages that may constitute invasions of privacy. For e.g. posting another person's telephone number without permission and messages that are misleading or in any way defamatory, offensive obscene and abusive any message that promotes discrimination, violence and hatred).

Ethical Issues for the E-teacher

•

The most important moral challenge for the e-teacher is maintaining the quality of the educational process.

•

e-teacher must be attentive to new ways of transmitting information and assuring genuine communication.

•

Providing a reliable network infrastructure with effective learning software becomes absolutely critical for the e-teacher.

•

e-teacher must be attentive to educate the e-learners regarding the ethical use of internet resources.

Ethical Issues for the E-learner

•

e-learners are becoming psychologically distant in their interactions with others.

•

There is inappropriate assistance on examinations being provided toe-learners.

•

There is a lack of knowledge of curricular regulations and academic code of behaviour for the e-learner.

Research

Virtually nothing is available that applies the established principles of ethical inquiry to this new important area of moral exposure for educational institutions. Further, there is little research which is focused on the quality of learning outcomes in online education and distance education. Both of these areas represent imposing challenges for modern educational institutions and topics of significant opportunity for ethics and education scholars.

Conclusion

In the phase of technological advancement and cyber bullying, it is a challenging task to ensure integrity. Thus, it justifies the need for a code of ethics to be set in place. The ethical conduct of an online community is guided by both institutional policies and communal agreement. When all members cooperate and agree to ethically conduct themselves in their respectful roles as e-learners and e-teachers then effective learning occurs and the objective of education is attained.