DigitalOvers.net » Non Fiction http://www.digitalovers.net Digital life over the Net Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:16:52 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Advantages of a Hybrid eMentoring System & eLearning Platform http://www.digitalovers.net/advantages-of-a-hybrid-ementoring-system-elearning-platform.html http://www.digitalovers.net/advantages-of-a-hybrid-ementoring-system-elearning-platform.html#comments Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:36:04 +0000 admin http://www.digitalovers.net/advantages-of-a-hybrid-ementoring-system-elearning-platform.html Continue reading]]> To make a blended eMentoring & eLearning initiative a reality, a healthcare organization would need a web-based, total communication solution which would allow individuals to collaborate anywhere and anytime for improved productivity. Specific collaboration tools would include: Email, Instant Messaging, Video Conferencing, Desktop Sharing, Co-browsing, File Sharing, Internet Phone with Voicemail, Group Collaboration, Discussion Groups, Web Collaboration, and Virtual Classrooms.

In particular, one of the challenges of any new mentoring relationship is the availability of time. Traditional mentoring requires that both parties be available at the same time to meet in person. While time is always a factor in any mentoring partnership, it is not necessary for both participants to be available at the same time in a virtual mentoring relationship. Advantages include open correspondence, access to more geographically isolated regions, and efficiency of communication.

Many healthcare professionals feel that there isn’t enough time to do patient care, let alone mentorship. That’s the harsh reality of the healthcare environment – everyone recognizes mentoring is crucial yet there never seems to be enough time. Although face-to-face mentorship programs have a variety of positive outcomes, many healthcare professionals believe they simply do not have time to make a commitment to such programs. However, we feel it is reasonable that they could spend 30-45 minutes per week mentoring in a virtual relationship.

Virtual mentoring and online learning is also place independent, meaning the mentor and the mentee do not need to live in close proximity to each other. This allows mentoring relationships to be formed between parties living in different cities, states, or even countries. An organization can realize a huge cost savings because instead of learning and mentoring occurring in house at “X” dollars an hour, these mentoring partners are participating in different aspects of mentoring using e-learning software on their own time, not on the hospital’s.

Corresponding by email allows both parties to communicate at a time that is convenient to them. Also, many shy participants may find it easier to communicate by email and/or instant messaging and may have deeper discussions when they aren’t face-to-face. Mentees may feel less intimidated or hesitant asking questions using email than they might when posing those same questions in person. Mentor willingness to give feedback, both positive and negative, may increase when the feedback did not need to be delivered in person. Email and instant messaging also makes it easy to communicate thoughtfully and deliberately, and provides a record of communication.

As a bonus, new online computer education skills are learned for all participants in a “virtual university”. Having to use the collaboration tools of computer-mediated communication helps participants get comfortable with working with elearning software and e-learning applications such as a Learning Management System for healthcare. That may help them perform better in an ever-increasing world of Internet learning and computer usage in healthcare.

By: Tony Colon

About the Author:

Tony Colon, RN-C is a eMentoring & eLearning in Healthcare Specialist. Find out how a customized program in your organization boosts recruitment, development, nurse retention, and patient care at http://www.healthcarementoring.com
]]> http://www.digitalovers.net/advantages-of-a-hybrid-ementoring-system-elearning-platform.html/feed 0 Elearning – Continuing Education from Around the Globe http://www.digitalovers.net/elearning-continuing-education-from-around-the-globe.html http://www.digitalovers.net/elearning-continuing-education-from-around-the-globe.html#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:24:18 +0000 admin http://www.digitalovers.net/elearning-continuing-education-from-around-the-globe.html
My nephew recently decided that he would like to enlist in the armed services and joined up with the Navy. However, he also wanted to continue his education and work towards his degree in computer science which he had started a few years back. At first he was unsure if he would be able to work on his degree because the college he had attended required that classes be taken on campus. That is when he discovered distance learning through our local state University.Distance learning is the process by which he can continue to take classes during his enlistment in the Navy from anywhere in the world. As long as he has access to a computer and email he can participate in online classes, take his exams online and discuss problems and topics with fellow classmates and the teacher in an online forum. It was an excellent solution for my nephew, and elearning may be an excellent solution for you as well.Education is the key to success, but with our busy lives and families none of really has the time or financial ability to stop working and go back to college full-time
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My nephew recently decided that he would like to enlist in the armed services and joined up with the Navy. However, he also wanted to continue his education and work towards his degree in computer science which he had started a few years back. At first he was unsure if he would be able to work on his degree because the college he had attended required that classes be taken on campus. That is when he discovered distance learning through our local state University.

Distance learning is the process by which he can continue to take classes during his enlistment in the Navy from anywhere in the world. As long as he has access to a computer and email he can participate in online classes, take his exams online and discuss problems and topics with fellow classmates and the teacher in an online forum. It was an excellent solution for my nephew, and elearning may be an excellent solution for you as well.

Education is the key to success, but with our busy lives and families none of really has the time or financial ability to stop working and go back to college full-time. It seemed the only opportunities for many people to further their education for the longest time was to take night classes which could drag out a degree for years because of the infrequency of classes offered through such programs. However, today many colleges and Universities are offering distance learning and e-learning programs to help those who live in the same town, or thousands of miles away, to earn their degree without ever sitting foot in a classroom.

Distance learning allows you to continue working on a degree, or start your work towards a new degree, from the comfort of your home or anywhere else you may be located. Traditionally most e-learning classes tend to be driven by the students themselves. Because there is not a traditional classroom and a teacher, the students must use their own determination and drive to learn the material as it is presented. Most often material is presented either electronically or through interactive slideshows that let the students practice along as the lesson plays out. If you get stuck on a concept or need assistance the teacher and fellow students are just a click away through the use of email and online discussion forums.

My nephew is working towards his degree and has only two classes left to take. He expects to have graduated before his enlistment is up and we are all proud of the work he has done and thankful that distance education allowed him to pursue his dream while he was helping protect our freedoms.



By: Ian Koch

About the Author:
Ian Koch is a web publisher who likes to give his readers