Virtual learning is a 'new' term. Certainly, no Ayurveda college is offering Virtual Learning yet! Some are offering distant learning, and, others - where you attend classes once a month. SDCOA is offering Ayurveda course from $6 per Credit Hour for selected courses. It is affordable, flexible and experiential.
Normally, when we think of online or distant learning course - we imagine receiving a learning packet, or a book. Perhaps some audio video resources.
A virtual classroom, whereby, students are sitting at their homes in front of a computer, or even logged in through a mobile device --and watching their instructor talk to them, write on a 'virtual' whiteboard, share presentations, interact, --is exactly like in a real classroom.
Except the instructor is sitting at his or her desk. Everything is conducted virtually.
San Diego College of Ayurveda offers online and Virtual Learning Environment. (Also known as VLE!).
Please remember, virtual learning is very flexible, cheaper and more affordable. Yet, it is not for everyone.
If you find navigating your computer a problem, or, are not tech savvy, it may be daunting at first.
It also depends on your learning style. Some people are Hands on learners, and, need to be in an actual classroom setting to understand a concept. Others may learn by audio or visual training aids. Our college offers the best choice to audio and visual learners, who are comfortable navigating an online learning environment - email, chat, website and online conferencing. Which is why the cost is very low. Our course prices start from $3.50 per credit hour in some online courses, and, $9 onwards for foundation courses .
According to wikipedia, "VLE will normally work and provide a collection of tools such as those for assessment (particularly of types that can be marked automatically, such as multiple choice), communication, uploading of content, return of students' work, peer assessment, administration of student groups, collecting and organizing student grades, questionnaires, tracking tools, etc. New features in these systems include wikis, blogs and 3D virtual learning spaces. This kind of Blended learning model is often used in schools and other educational establishments in order to make the learning experience more interactive."
Virtual learning in Ayurveda is practically unheard of. So, San Diego College of Ayurveda is actually a pioneer in offering an ancient knowledge with cutting edge technology.
Virtual learning is also now called blended learning. We run our courses on servers, share multimedia and web page resources. However, if you are not computer savvy, you may be confused.
A good Internet connexion is also required.
Our college offers a Blended learning environment from WEBEX. It is similar to a face-to-face classroom environment in that it allows direct communication with the teacher. Students can use emoticons to “raise their hand,” show that they are confused, show that they understand what the teacher is saying, and even give applause for something that the teacher says. Students are also able to talk to the teacher when called on. In many of these virtual learning environments the students are able to write on the “virtual classroom chalkboard.” This allows them to show their work for the rest of the class to see. Students can also be split up into groups in order to work with each other and discuss topics that the teacher introduces. Many virtual learning environments give teachers the ability to share multimedia files such as video and audio files as well as the ability to transfer important documents (Word, PDF,…etc.) directly to students.
In 'Virtually There', a book and DVD pack distributed freely to schools by the Yorkshire and Humber Grid for Learning Foundation (YHGfL), Professor Stephen Heppell writes in the foreword:
"Learning is breaking out of the narrow boxes that it was trapped in during the 20th century; teachers' professionalism, reflection and ingenuity are leading learning to places that genuinely excite this new generation of connected young school students — and their teachers too. VLEs are helping to make sure that their learning is not confined to a particular building, or restricted to any single location or moment."[1]
