Towards Best Practices in Web-Based Learning and Teaching

The Characteristics Of Web-Based Learning

Web-based learning encompasses every learning content that is delivered electronically and facilitated via the internet. According to Fallon and Brown (2003) Web –based learning, training or education is that which is facilitated by the use of well-known and proven computer technologies, specifically networked on internet technology. An example is the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) which is a move into the new paradigm shift of global education and has gained recognition by many educational institutions. The MOOC concept tries to offer more or less free online content and activities to tens of thousands of users around the world with the help of modern information and communication technologies, semantic content, search capabilities, online communication, group work, and networking (Decman, 2015). This presupposes that Web-based learning content is stored on a Web server, and that learners access the content by employing well-known and widely used network technologies such as Web browsers and the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) network protocol. Web-based learning would include distributed learning, distance learning and any other training or education that is facilitated on web. Web-based learning affords students the opportunity to learn outside the walls of a classroom and at their convenience and a major paradigm shift in this regard is for web-based learning to be learner centered. It can be instructor-based, self-study or a combination but basically, web-based learning is either synchronous or asynchronous.