Can you think of a classroom where there is no blackboard or desks? Do you believe that you can be a student without a printed book or a writing pad or even pen/pencil? Are you not thrilled to imagine that you have asked a question and your tutor is answering it while flying in a Boeing from Dubai to Dhaka? These are all possible in a ‘virtual campus’ in the system of e-learning. No kidding! For quite a long time, educationists have been utilizing the advantages of computer technology. The social networking services have a huge potential to help educationists in this sector. They have access to millions of people worldwide. Educationists have noticed that a large number of social network users come from young generation who especially belong to student community. So side by side with computer assisted teaching-learning software, online education programmes are evolving fairly rapidly to assist conventional education system. Is that e-learning?
We may confuse distant education or computer-based learning or computer-assisted training or even online education programmes with e-learning. But we should be cautious about the mix-up. What happens in an online education programme? Maybe you get some materials online from your tutor. Maybe you submit your assignment through email. Or even you may take your test online. But there must be some conventional campus, a department/institute from where your certificate will come. But in e-learning, as said by global e-learning guru Dr Badrul H Khan”, every step, such as registration, admission, classroom entry and exit, class work, attendance, discussion with course mates, feedback, exams and finally certification must take place electronically through computer and the Internet technology in a virtual campus.
আপনি কি এমন একটি শ্রেণিকক্ষ কল্পনা করতে পারেন যেখানে কোনো ব্ল্যাকবোর্ড বা ডেস্ক নেই? আপনি কি বিশ্বাস করতে পারেন যে আপনি একজন শিক্ষার্থী হতে পারেন কোনো ছাপানো বই, লেখার প্যাড বা পেন/পেন্সিল ছাড়াই? আপনি কি উত্তেজিত হচ্ছেন কল্পনা করে যে আপনি একটি প্রশ্ন করেছেন এবং আপনার শিক্ষক সেটির উত্তর দিচ্ছেন একবিং বিমানে দুবাই থেকে ঢাকা যাচ্ছেন? এগুলো সবই সম্ভব একটি ‘ভার্চুয়াল ক্যাম্পাস’-এ, যা ই–লার্নিং ব্যবস্থার অংশ। কোন রকম মজা নয়! দীর্ঘ সময় ধরে শিক্ষাবিদরা কম্পিউটার প্রযুক্তির সুবিধা ব্যবহার করে আসছেন। সামাজিক নেটওয়ার্কিং সেবাগুলো এই ক্ষেত্রে শিক্ষাবিদদের সহায়তা করতে বিশাল সম্ভাবনা রাখে। এদের মাধ্যমে তারা সারা বিশ্বের কোটি কোটি মানুষকে পৌঁছাতে পারে। শিক্ষাবিদরা লক্ষ্য করেছেন যে সামাজিক নেটওয়ার্ক ব্যবহারকারীদের মধ্যে অনেকেই তরুণ প্রজন্মের, যারা বিশেষভাবে শিক্ষার্থী সম্প্রদায়ের অংশ। তাই কম্পিউটার–সহায়ক শিক্ষাদান সফটওয়্যারের পাশাপাশি অনলাইন শিক্ষা প্রোগ্রামগুলোও দ্রুত বিকাশ লাভ করছে, যাতে প্রচলিত শিক্ষা ব্যবস্থাকে সহায়তা করা যায়।
তাহলে, এটা কি ই–লার্নিং?
আমরা দূরশিক্ষা বা কম্পিউটার–ভিত্তিক শিক্ষাদান, কম্পিউটার–সহায়ক প্রশিক্ষণ বা অনলাইন শিক্ষা প্রোগ্রামের সঙ্গে ই–লার্নিংকে মিলিয়ে ফেলতে পারি। কিন্তু আমাদের সতর্ক থাকা উচিত এই বিভ্রান্তি নিয়ে। অনলাইন শিক্ষা প্রোগ্রামে কী ঘটে? হয়তো আপনি আপনার শিক্ষকের কাছ থেকে অনলাইনে কিছু উপকরণ পাবেন। হয়তো আপনি আপনার অ্যাসাইনমেন্ট ইমেইলের মাধ্যমে জমা দেবেন। বা আপনি অনলাইনে পরীক্ষা দিতে পারেন। কিন্তু কোনো প্রমাণপত্র অবশ্যই আসবে একটি প্রচলিত ক্যাম্পাস, বিভাগ বা ইনস্টিটিউট থেকে। কিন্তু ই–লার্নিংয়ে, যেমনটি বিশ্বখ্যাত ই–লার্নিং বিশেষজ্ঞ ড. বাদরুল এইচ. খান বলেছেন, প্রতিটি ধাপ – যেমন রেজিস্ট্রেশন, ভর্তি, শ্রেণিকক্ষে প্রবেশ ও প্রস্থান, ক্লাস ওয়ার্ক, উপস্থিতি, সহপাঠীদের সঙ্গে আলোচনা, ফিডব্যাক, পরীক্ষা এবং শেষ পর্যন্ত সার্টিফিকেশন – সবই ভার্চুয়াল ক্যাম্পাসে কম্পিউটার এবং ইন্টারনেট প্রযুক্তির মাধ্যমে সম্পন্ন হতে হবে।
Vocabulary Box: E-Learning and The Virtual Campus
Words/Phrases | Meaning | Synonyms | Antonyms |
Virtual campus (noun) | ভার্চুয়াল ক্যাম্পাস | online learning environment | physical campus |
E-learning (noun) | ই–লার্নিং | electronic learning, online education | traditional learning, offline education |
Thrilled (adjective) | রোমাঞ্চিত | excited, delighted | bored, uninterested |
Tutor (noun) | শিক্ষক | instructor, mentor | student, learner |
Utilizing (verb) | ব্যবহার করছে | using, employing | wasting, neglecting |
Advantages (noun) | সুবিধা | benefits, perks | disadvantages, drawbacks |
Potential (noun) | সম্ভাবনা | capability, promise | limitation, incapacity |
Access (noun) | প্রবেশাধিকার | entry, availability | restriction, blockage |
Worldwide (adverb) | বিশ্বব্যাপী | globally, internationally | locally, nationally |
Noticed (verb) | লক্ষ্য করেছেন | observed, recognized | missed, overlooked |
Young generation (noun) | তরুণ প্রজন্ম | youth, younger population | older generation, elders |
Student community (noun) | শিক্ষার্থী সম্প্রদায় | body of students | faculty, teachers |
Computer assisted (adjective) | কম্পিউটার সহায়ক | technology-aided, digital | manual, non-digital |
Teaching-learning (adjective) | শিক্ষণ–শিখন | instructional, educational | |
Software (noun) | সফটওয়্যার | applications, programs | hardware |
Evolving (verb) | বিকশিত হচ্ছে | developing, progressing | stagnating, regressing |
Fairly (adverb) | মোটামুটিভাবে | quite, reasonably | extremely, very |
Rapidly (adverb) | দ্রুতগতিতে | quickly, swiftly | slowly, gradually |
Assist (verb) | সহায়তা করা | help, aid | hinder, obstruct |
Conventional (adjective) | প্রচলিত | traditional, standard | unconventional, innovative |
Confuse (verb) | গুলিয়ে ফেলা | mistake, mix up | distinguish, differentiate |
Distant education (noun) | দূরশিক্ষণ | distance learning, remote education | in-person education |
Computer-based (adjective) | কম্পিউটার–ভিত্তিক | digital, electronic | paper-based, analog |
Cautious (adjective) | সতর্ক | careful, wary | careless, reckless |
Mix-up (noun) | গোলমাল | confusion, misunderstanding | clarity, understanding |
Materials (noun) | উপকরণ | resources, content | |
Submit (verb) | জমা দেওয়া | hand in, send | withdraw, retrieve |
Assignment (noun) | অ্যাসাইনমেন্ট | homework, task | |
Conventional campus (noun) | প্রচলিত ক্যাম্পাস | physical university, traditional school | virtual campus, online school |
Certificate (noun) | সার্টিফিকেট | diploma, credential | |
Registration (noun) | নিবন্ধন | enrollment, sign-up | withdrawal, cancellation |
Admission (noun) | ভর্তি | enrollment, acceptance | rejection, denial |
Attendance (noun) | উপস্থিতি | presence | absence, non-attendance |
Course mates (noun) | কোর্সসঙ্গী | classmates, peers | instructors, teachers |
Feedback (noun) | প্রতিক্রিয়া | evaluation, response | |
Exams (noun) | পরীক্ষা | tests, assessments | |
Certification (noun) | সনদপত্র প্রদান | accreditation, qualification | |
Electronically (adverb) | ইলেকট্রনিকভাবে | digitally, online | physically, manually |
Blackboard (noun) | ব্ল্যাকবোর্ড | chalkboard, writing board | |
Desks (noun) | ডেস্ক | tables, workstations | |
Printed book (noun) | মুদ্রিত বই | physical book, hardcopy | e-book, digital book |
Writing pad (noun) | লেখার প্যাড | notepad, notebook | |
Possible (adjective) | সম্ভব | feasible, achievable | impossible, unattainable |
System (noun) | ব্যবস্থা | framework, structure | chaos, disorder |
Educationists (noun) | শিক্ষাবিদ | educators, academics | students, learners |
Huge (adjective) | বিশাল | enormous, immense | small, tiny |
Millions (noun) | লক্ষ লক্ষ | countless numbers, multitude | few, handful |
Especially (adverb) | বিশেষভাবে | particularly, notably | generally, broadly |
Rapidly (adverb) | দ্রুত | quickly, fast | slowly, leisurely |
Guru (noun) | গুরু | expert, master | novice, beginner |
Here are 50 multiple choice questions (MCQs) based on the passage about e-learning and virtual campuses:
- What is a classroom without a blackboard or desks an example of?
A) Traditional classroom
B) Virtual campus
C) Open-air class
D) Library - Can a student learn without a printed book or writing pad?
A) No
B) Yes, in e-learning
C) Only with a tutor present
D) Only in school - How can a tutor answer a student’s question in e-learning?
A) By mail
B) While flying on a plane
C) Only in person
D) Through letters - What system allows learning to happen electronically?
A) Distance learning
B) E-learning
C) Classroom teaching
D) Home tuition - For how long have educationists been using computer technology?
A) A short time
B) A long time
C) Not at all
D) Only recently - Which services have huge potential to help educationists?
A) Social networking services
B) Postal services
C) Television channels
D) Newspapers - Who mainly use social networks according to the passage?
A) Senior citizens
B) Young generation
C) Teachers only
D) Administrators - How do online education programmes assist traditional education?
A) By replacing teachers
B) By evolving rapidly alongside computer-assisted teaching software
C) By removing textbooks
D) By closing schools - Is e-learning the same as distant education?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Sometimes
D) Always - Which activity might happen in an online education programme?
A) Attending physical classes only
B) Submitting assignments through email
C) Only reading books offline
D) Walking to school - Where must the certificate come from in an online education programme?
A) Virtual campus
B) A conventional campus or institute
C) From the student
D) Anywhere online - Who defined the steps of e-learning in the passage?
A) Bill Gates
B) Dr. Badrul H. Khan
C) Mark Zuckerberg
D) Steve Jobs - Which of the following is a step in e-learning?
A) Registering electronically
B) Walking to the classroom
C) Buying a textbook
D) Attending a lecture in person - Can class work be done in e-learning?
A) No
B) Yes, electronically
C) Only partially
D) Not mentioned - How is attendance taken in e-learning?
A) Manually
B) Electronically
C) Through notes
D) Not required - Can students discuss with course mates in e-learning?
A) Yes, online
B) No
C) Only in physical classrooms
D) Only by phone - How are exams conducted in e-learning?
A) On paper
B) Electronically
C) In classroom only
D) Through letters - How is feedback given in e-learning?
A) In person
B) Electronically
C) Through post only
D) Feedback is not provided - What does a virtual campus use for learning activities?
A) Blackboards
B) Computer and Internet technology
C) Books only
D) Physical classrooms - Is registration part of e-learning?
A) No
B) Yes, electronically
C) Only on campus
D) Not required - Does e-learning include classroom entry and exit?
A) Yes, virtually
B) No
C) Only offline
D) Not necessary - Are assignments submitted physically in e-learning?
A) Yes
B) No, online submission is possible
C) Only for exams
D) Only by tutors - Can e-learning be considered a part of conventional education?
A) Yes, it assists conventional education
B) No, it replaces it completely
C) Sometimes
D) Never - How is e-learning different from online education programmes?
A) No difference
B) Every step happens electronically in e-learning
C) Only exams are online
D) Only registration is online - Who coined the term “virtual campus” in the passage?
A) A student
B) Dr. Badrul H. Khan
C) An education minister
D) A social network company - Which generation mostly uses social networks?
A) Middle-aged people
B) Young students
C) Elderly
D) Teachers - What is a major advantage of e-learning?
A) Requires a lot of textbooks
B) Learning can happen anywhere electronically
C) Attendance is mandatory physically
D) Only local students can join - Can e-learning include discussions with classmates?
A) Yes, online discussions are possible
B) No
C) Only through phone
D) Only offline - How is admission handled in e-learning?
A) Offline only
B) Electronically
C) By postal mail
D) By school office - What is one tool used in e-learning?
A) Blackboard
B) Pen and paper only
C) Computer and Internet
D) Chalk - Can exams be part of e-learning?
A) Yes, conducted online
B) No, only offline
C) Only assignments matter
D) Not mentioned - What is a key characteristic of a virtual campus?
A) Physical classrooms
B) All activities happen electronically
C) Only exams online
D) Only discussions offline - Does e-learning require textbooks?
A) Always
B) Not necessarily
C) Only for certain subjects
D) Always mandatory - What is the role of social networks in education according to the passage?
A) Entertainment only
B) Helping educationists reach students
C) Teaching offline
D) Sending letters - Can e-learning be confused with computer-based learning?
A) Yes, but they are different
B) No, they are the same
C) Sometimes identical
D) Always different - How is feedback handled in e-learning?
A) Electronically
B) Physically
C) Not at all
D) By letter - Can a student take a test online in e-learning?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only offline
D) Only paper exams - Does e-learning include attendance monitoring?
A) No
B) Yes, electronically
C) Only in classrooms
D) Optional - Is discussion with course mates part of e-learning?
A) No
B) Yes, virtually
C) Only physically
D) Only via letters - What must happen electronically in e-learning?
A) Only registration
B) Every step including classwork, exams, and certification
C) Only tests
D) Only discussions - Who benefits from e-learning technology?
A) Only teachers
B) Students and educationists
C) Only administrators
D) Only parents - Can learning happen without physical presence in e-learning?
A) No
B) Yes
C) Only partially
D) Not mentioned - Is e-learning limited to certain locations?
A) Yes
B) No, it can be accessed anywhere
C) Only in schools
D) Only in libraries - Which is essential for e-learning?
A) Blackboard
B) Computer and Internet
C) Physical classroom
D) Pen and paper only - What is the main aim of e-learning?
A) Replace traditional education completely
B) Facilitate learning electronically
C) Only for online games
D) Only for adults - Does e-learning include certification?
A) No
B) Yes, electronically
C) Only in physical office
D) Not necessary - Who coined the concept of virtual campus?
A) Dr. Badrul H. Khan
B) A student
C) Mark Zuckerberg
D) An administrator - What is the role of computer-assisted teaching software in e-learning?
A) It assists traditional education
B) It replaces tutors
C) Only for exams
D) Only for entertainment - Can assignments be submitted online in e-learning?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only offline
D) Only physically - What differentiates e-learning from other online education programs?
A) Only registration online
B) Every step occurs electronically
C) Only exams online
D) Only study materials online
Answer: 1. B, 2. B, 3. B, 4. B, 5. B, 6. A, 7. B, 8. B, 9. B, 10. B, 11. B, 12. B, 13. A, 14. B, 15. B, 16. A, 17. B, 18. B, 19. B, 20. B, 21. A, 22. B, 23. B, 24. B, 25. B, 26. B, 27. B, 28. A, 29. B, 30. C, 31. A, 32. B, 33. B, 34. B, 35. A, 36. A, 37. A, 38. B, 39. B, 40. B, 41. B, 42. B, 43. B, 44. B, 45. B, 46. B, 47. A, 48. A, 49. A, 50. B.
Here are 30 WH questions based on the passage about e-learning and virtual campuses:
- What is a classroom without a blackboard or desks called?
- Can a student study without a printed book or writing pad?
- How can a tutor answer a student’s question while traveling?
- What system allows learning to take place electronically?
- For how long have educationists been using computer technology?
- Which services have potential to help educationists in teaching?
- Who mainly use social networks according to the passage?
- How do online education programmes assist conventional education?
- Is e-learning the same as distant education?
- What might happen in an online education programme?
- Where must the certificate come from in an online education programme?
- Who defined the steps of e-learning in the passage?
- Which step in e-learning involves registration?
- How is class work conducted in e-learning?
- How is attendance managed in e-learning?
- Can students discuss with classmates in e-learning?
- How are exams conducted in e-learning?
- How is feedback given in e-learning?
- What tools are used in a virtual campus?
- Is admission part of e-learning?
- How does classroom entry and exit happen in e-learning?
- Are assignments submitted physically in e-learning?
- Can e-learning be part of conventional education?
- How is e-learning different from online education programmes?
- Which generation mostly uses social networks?
- What is a major advantage of e-learning?
- Can discussions with classmates happen online in e-learning?
- How is admission handled in e-learning?
- What is one essential tool used in e-learning?
- What differentiates e-learning from other online education programmes?
Answers:
- A classroom without a blackboard or desks is an example of a virtual campus. It is part of the e-learning system.
- Yes, a student can study without a printed book or writing pad. Learning materials are provided electronically.
- A tutor can answer a student’s question while traveling using online platforms. The interaction happens in real time through the Internet.
- E-learning is the system that allows learning to take place electronically. It uses computers and Internet technology.
- Educationists have been using computer technology for a long time. This has helped modernize teaching and learning methods.
- Social networking services have huge potential to help educationists. They allow educators to reach millions of people worldwide.
- The young generation, especially students, mainly use social networks. They form the majority of online users.
- Online education programmes assist conventional education by providing additional learning resources. They evolve alongside computer-assisted teaching software.
- No, e-learning is not exactly the same as distant education. E-learning involves every step being conducted electronically.
- In an online education programme, students may receive materials online and submit assignments via email. They may also take tests online.
- The certificate in an online education programme comes from a conventional campus or institute. It is issued by the official department responsible for the course.
- Badrul H. Khan defined the steps of e-learning. He is a global e-learning expert.
- Registration in e-learning is done electronically. Students register online through the virtual campus system.
- Class work in e-learning is conducted electronically. Students complete tasks and participate in activities online.
- Attendance in e-learning is monitored electronically. It is recorded through the virtual campus system.
- Yes, students can discuss with classmates in e-learning. Discussions happen through online forums, chats, or video calls.
- Exams in e-learning are conducted online. Students can take tests electronically through the system.
- Feedback in e-learning is provided electronically. Tutors and peers can comment or respond online.
- Computers and Internet technology are used in a virtual campus. They enable all learning activities to occur online.
- Yes, admission is part of e-learning. The process happens electronically through the virtual campus.
- Classroom entry and exit in e-learning occur virtually. Students log in and log out through the online system.
- Assignments in e-learning are submitted online. Students do not need to submit them physically.
- Yes, e-learning can assist conventional education. It complements traditional methods by providing online support.
- E-learning differs from other online education programmes because every step occurs electronically. This includes registration, classwork, discussions, exams, and certification.
- The young student generation mostly uses social networks. They are active users on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn.
- A major advantage of e-learning is that learning can happen anywhere electronically. It is flexible and accessible.
- Yes, discussions with classmates can happen online. Students communicate through chat, forums, or video conferencing.
- Admission in e-learning is handled electronically. Students register online without visiting a physical campus.
- Computers and Internet access are essential tools for e-learning. They allow students to participate in the virtual campus.
- E-learning is differentiated from other online education programmes because all activities, including exams and certification, occur electronically. It offers a fully virtual learning experience.