Here are some of the reasons why e-learning methods improve learning efficiency and improve the overall learning experience for both students and tutors alike:

All types of learners will benefit

Like no other training form, E-learning provides a single experience that accommodates the three main learning styles:

 1 Auditory learners
 2 Visual learners
 3 Kinesthetic learners

Personalised learning

E-learning also offers individualized instruction, which print media cannot provide, and instructor-led courses allow clumsily.

During live classes, you will be able to ask questions privately to your tutor who can decide whether to reply in person or to the group.

Dynamic online continual assessment

E-Learning allows us to monitor your learning through online quizzes and tests, helping to motivate you and highlight weak spots in your learning. Since Ayurveda requires a sequential mastering of concepts, it is essential that each new subject is adequately understood before moving to the next one. Online quizzes and tests help fulfil this goal without steeling from normal classroom hours.

Flexible hours

Weekly live classes are at fixed times, but if for some reason you miss class, simply log on and watch a video recording of the entire session, and access all the learning materials that are needed to quickly get up to speed.

Despite fixed weekly deadlines for completing homework exercises, you will be largely free to choose when you study.

Your pace

E-learning is self-paced. Fast learners can speed through material, while slower learners can take their time, eliminating frustration with themselves, their fellow learners, and the course.

In these ways, E-learning caters for the needs of all learners and offers clear advantages over the tradition intensive trainings of lecture programs.

Higher retention of content through personalized learning

E-learning allows more room for individual differences in learning styles. It provides a high level of simulation that can be tailored to your level of proficiency. With 24 x 7 access, you can learn at your own pace and review course material as often as needed leading to a 60% faster learning curve, compared to instructor-led training. The delivery of content in smaller units, called "chunks," contributes further to better learning.

Improved collaboration and interactivity among students

You might well imagine that a risk of E-learning is a feeling isolation. While nothing replaces the social contact of a traditional classroom, E-learning exceeds in creating strong learning bonds between you and your fellow colleagues through collaborative learning tools like online document sharing, message boards, chats, e-mail.

Electronic learning offers more collaboration and interaction between your tutors and fellow students as well as a higher success rate than the traditional alternative. Teaching and communication techniques which create an interactive online environment include case studies, story-telling, demonstrations, role-playing, simulations, streamed videos, online references, personalized coaching and mentoring, discussion groups, project teams, chat rooms, e-mail, bulletin boards, tips, tutorials etc.

E-learning can be more stimulating and encourage more critical reasoning than a traditional instructor-led class because it allows the kind of interaction that takes place most fully in small group settings. Studies have shown that students who take online courses are typically drawn into the subject matter of the class more deeply than in a traditional course because of the discussions they get involved in. This engagement is enhanced by the fact that tutors do not monopolize attention in an online environment.

For each live class that you attend, your tutor will set homework exercises that require collaboration with fellow students as well as critical guidance from tutors. A typical work cycle goes like this:

Step 1 - Live Class: learn about tongue diagnosis

Step 2 - Homework given: diagnose three tongues and share your results with colleagues

Step 3 - Tutor comments on everyone’s work

Step 4 - Spontaneous discussion ensues

In our experience, this sort of learning cycle draws you in and motivates you to push yourself to your limits. It is exciting and becomes a true passion.

Online training is less intimidating than instructor-led courses

By taking an online course you are entering a risk-free environment in which you can try new things and make mistakes without exposing yourself. This characteristic is particularly valuable when trying to learn Ayurvedic reasoning and decision making. A good learning program shows the consequences of students’ actions and how/why they went wrong. After a failure, students can go back and try again. E-learning eliminates the embarrassment of failure in front of a group.

Up-to-date teaching material

The E-Learning environment allows our tutors to update lessons and materials instantly on a regular basis. This keeps content fresh and consistent and gives you immediate access to the most current Ayurvedic information.

With all of these advantages of E-learning, it is hard to imagine why anyone would opt to sit in a lecture or attend intensive training workshops to learn new information. Of course, there is a very practical aspect to Ayurveda, which is why our program comprises a training program in a real Ayurveda clinic - once you have mastered the basics in the comfort of your own home environment.

Author: AlexDuncan

05/march/2010

UPDATE:

I would like to add that after teaching the first half of the program in 2010 both Alex and I are amazed at how powerful the e-learning is as a tool. I have been teaching for the last 20 years and Alex 10 years if we include his university teaching - both of us feel that this method is superior to normal classroom instruction for a number of reasons. To be honest we did not expect it to be as good as it is !!!

Author: Atreya

12 January 2011

UPDATE:

Both Alex and I have been really impressed with the e-learning platform as an educational tool. We both had our expectations passed by the students performance during the course last year. Having been a teacher for the last 20 years it is my opinion that the e-learning is superior to normal classroom study. There are a number of reasons for this - the media is one reason. However, for me the main reason is that the students are required to stay immersed in Ayurveda all week long. This alone is a huge learning tool and helps the students keep interested in their studies.

Author: Atreya

19 July 2011

UPDATE:

Both Alex and I keep trying to improve the course. At this time we are in the winter break of the second year. Feedback on the course remains very positive and dynamic. We both feel that the e-learning platform is the best form of teaching. It is just a question of time before we transfer all of our courses in France into the e-learning structure - it is the future of learning.

Author: Atreya

04 January 2012

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