In the year 2009, Steve Jobs, arguably one of the best minds in business, nailed the coffin of Flash by declaring it to be buggy and resource hungry. The result is the whole world moved to a new technology HTML5. And organizations across the world have leveraged this transformation and have made significant progress in their business initiatives, primarily their content.

With the tremendous boom in mobile technology and people preferring to go mobile for learning, the E-Learning industry moved from Flash to HTML5 rapidly. Since most handheld devices don’t support Flash, it was obvious that Flash would become obsolete and redundant with time. The answer to Flash was HTML5; the biggest advantage it offered was responsive design and the ability to fit practically any screen-size. This was a huge boost for mobile users as there are so many screen sizes available. And HTML5 content perfectly rendered itself in all handheld devices.

According to the top E-Learning companies in India, global clients nowadays prefer HTML5-based content that can directly be viewed in handheld devices. Because of the limitations & issues around Flash-based content there is an increasing demand in the conversion of Flash-based legacy content to HTML5-based content.

HexaLearn, one of the top 10 E-Learning companies in India designs and develops state-of-the-art HTML5-based content and have immense experience in converting legacy Flash-based content to HTML5.

Conversion process

Accordingly to the experienced professionals at HexaLearn, there are three broad processes while converting Flash-based content to HTML5.

1. Conversion of the Wireframe:
It is the main shell that holds the module content together. Most E-Learning companies utilize an authoring tool (Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, Trivantis, Lectora, Dominknow Claro, Dominknow Flow, etc.) for efficiently producing HTML5 output. Some also prefer custom HTML5 development for tailored development.
2. Conversion of Look and Feel:
Needless to say, the interface and look and feel of a responsive web application is quite different from a typical Flash-based content. Experts from HexaLearn say that special attention needs to be paid in arranging the layout to ensure optimal learning experience across different devices.
3. Conversion of content:
A key element, of course, in any learning module is the content. Industry experts emphasize the need for a content design that suits responsive layout to maximize learning outcome. A poorly designed content can destroy the learning experience in the responsive layout.

Why convert Flash-based content to HTML5?
Analysts from HexaLearn opine that conversion of Flash-based content to HTML5 has many benefits. To understand the measurable benefits here is a brief description of the same.

1. Reduced cost and time:
Flash-based content needs to be created afresh in multiple versions to be able to run on different devices, which makes it very time-consuming and thereby expensive. HTML5 based content needs to be built only once and the responsive design will render itself correctly in all devices.
2. Easy to maintain:
Editing and maintaining HTML5 content is a lot easier than editing Flash-based content. One can use a simple editor tool to make any changes to the content. It doesn’t require a high end technical competency to manage the update work in HTML5.
3. No Plug-ins are required to access the course:
HTML5 removes the major drawback of Flash-based content of installing player plug-ins. All you need is a web browser to successfully run the HTML5-based modules.
4. Reduced file size:
HTML5-based modules are generally several times lighter when it comes to file size for the same amount of content. This enables it to run smoothly with minimal bandwidth requirement. It helps when you are travelling and you are on a not-so-high-speed network.
5. Faster loading time:
As the source file is smaller, the time taken to load SVG graphics and the content in general is much less when compared to other image formats.
6. Fully supports mobile apps:
According to a study conducted by Morgan Stanley, more people access the Internet on their mobiles than desktop computers. This tremendous surge in the usage of “mobile Internet” demands learning modules to be accessible on the go for better time management, and ease of access. HTML5 is the ideal solution to fulfill this demand. If you have legacy Flash-based content it is high time you think seriously of converting it into HTML5. By doing so, you completely eliminate the constraints around Flash-based content

Benefits of E-Learning:

A mind that opens to a new idea, never returns to its original size.

– Sir Albert Einstein

The curve of human evolution has always been one of positive slope. We have developed into a highly competent race on the basis of our abilities to learn any aspect of life as needed. Learning has by far been the most incredible gift that has been entrusted to us by a higher energy. It is this capability to learn from our experiences that has enabled us to achieve incredible feats and make the world a better place.

In terms of education, Learning is the foundation stone that leads to transfer of knowledge to the upcoming generations. The process of learning has never been one of intangible nature. In the methods of learning, there have always been ample scope for flexibility and innovation. Learning is a nascent process that enables us to learn lessons and gain on our intellect gradually to better ourselves as a human being.

Based on the current world, Internet has been an inseparable part of knowledge and information exchange. Without the internet, the world would be crippled and devoid of fast means of communication. One of the most prominent gifts of the Internet in the field of learning is E-Learning.

E-Learning is a digitised based mode of learning that uses the various forms of electronic media (most important being Internet). It is generally employed as an essential assistant to conventional and traditional modes of learning like class room teaching etc. Being a necessary supplement to learning, E-Learning continues to evolve into a vital entity in due course of time as far as learning is concerned. Based on the current developments in the learning scenarios and systems adopted globally, it is fairly safe to estimate that E-Learning will soon dominate the learning methods across all parts of the world. E-learning would enhance the reach of education and learning to every corner of the world if implemented properly.

A survey reveals that Businesses that have implemented E-Learning processes and systems enjoy better growth than ones that use conventional training techniques for employees. In a Business organization, employees are a big part of the success curve. Training employees, therefore, becomes supremely important for the success of business oriented strategies.

Let us take a look at an example of how E-Learning may impact businesses all around the world:

Jack and John are two budding entrepreneurs who aim to start a business. Both are looking to hire trainees who will soon take care of business related activities. Soon they hire employees and start training them. A year later, Jack’s business seems to have boomed into prosperity and John’s was lagging behind significantly lower than Jack’s. A systematic analysis of Jack’s business would go on to show that the employment of E-Learning methods in Jack’s business ensured lesser time consumption, higher flexibility, greater ease of access and better interactive content. What proved to be fatal for John’s business was the use of Traditional training techniques when his competitors were using faster means of learning, which further emphasises the fact that in an age of cut throat competition one cannot lose out on employing better training methods and innovative learning techniques so as to stay in the race of business.

The following are the benefits of E-Learning in the present day world that can potentially benefit the upcoming generations in learning:

1. Learning irrespective of Time and Place

   One of the most significant benefits of E-Learning is that it gives the convenience of learning that is independent of time and place constraints. E-Learning enables users to be able to learn at any place and time without any hassle. This is the flexibility that is lacking in the current educational and learning systems all around the world. With E-Learning, the problems of learning being imparted from a time different place is non-existent. A user in India can learn and interact with information received from the US at any time as per convenience and vice versa.

2. Interaction based method of learning

   E-Learning promotes learning by interaction with different people. Knowledge is something of elusive properties. Our intellect increases constantly as per the amount of sharing we perform with our fellow individuals. E-Learning allows us to connect with individuals from around the globe and to interact with them. This interaction facilitates exchange of ideas and information from all around the world.

3. Flexibility

   One serious drawback of Classroom learning or traditional modes of learning is that the learning instructions and classes may not revisited in case of any existing doubts. However, the digital form of learning or E-Learning allows us the flexibility to retake the learning lessons as many times as needed to clear our doubts. The dependence of the learners on the teacher/learning facilitator is no longer there and learning can be done independently without any external help.

4. Efficiency and effectiveness

   E-Learning is hugely time saving and the quality of learning is very precise. This eliminates any redundant aspects such as large quantity of poor-quality information that contains vital information. E-Learning reduces the amount of unnecessary fillers in learning processes involving conventional methods. E-Learning delivers the precise and accurate knowledge as per the requirements which improves the overall quality of the entire process.

5. Cost effectiveness

   For most of the students in the developing and third world economies, the cost of education is a major field of serious concern. Learning and education are both intertwined in many ways. In today’s world, commercialisation of education is already costing too many kids the gift of education and learning. Not being able to afford for education, many are forced to do petty work. This in turn is harmful for the entire country both in terms of employment as well as poverty. E-Learning makes learning a very affordable thing as far as the education of young students and kids are concerned.

   These days, the cost of buying the resources like books, notebooks, tuition fees etc required for the commonly used methods of learning take a heavy toll on the earning member of a family. This proves to be a liability as far as education is concerned. E-Learning removes education as a liability from its root cause by providing all the requisite resources all in very cheap and affordable prices. The availability of resources at ease makes it convenient for every child to learn and get educated. This eventually turns into a boon for the nation in its path of development and prosperity.

6. Performance Tracking

   E-Learning enables the monitoring of a child’s learning and progress systematically. As the courses administered are delivered through digital media, learning is made into a proper hierarchical process. The process is carefully designed to impart knowledge and information to the learners in phases wherein clearing a certain phase allows the next phase to be accessed. This allows learning to be all round and rock solid at its foundation.

7. Interesting and better interactive media based learning

   E-Learning is highly reliant on audio and video based digital media. Digital media in audio and video mode enables interesting content to be created in E-Learning. In this way, the intended recipients of the E-Learning content can understand the content with clarity and effectively as well.

   E-Learning has certainly revolutionised the way learning can be done. Starting from social media to conventional electronic media, E-Learning is easy to be transmitted from one place to another without any material barriers. It has the potential to unify the world under education and learning. If E-Learning is implemented across the world, the world would be virtually free of all barriers and it may just pave the way for peace across the world.

Technology has taken us so ahead in our life that almost everything is available to us at a tap of finger on our smart phone. Education is not an exception to this. We are now in the era of E-Learning. The process of learning is now accessible over internet. All you need is a PC/tablet/smart phone with good internet connection and you’re good to go. Also, many E-Learning providers give away courses that can run independently without requiring internet connection. However, the new age learning process over the web is yet to cover a major portion in India and world alike.

Some say that E-Learning cannot match the classic classroom teaching process. We believe it is not the case. Both of the teaching modes are good at their own place. However, with E-Learning we can bring about certain advantageous differences over the regular classroom learning process which will be beneficial for the learners.

So, how exactly is E-Learning different from that of classroom teaching process..? In this post, we will discuss the basic difference between E-Learning and classroom learning based on four important factors such as time, freedom to study a course of own choice, degree of understanding and cost effectiveness.

Time-Independency

Remember those school days of childhood where we did not want to get up early morning for school, but we had to anyway. Then take an hour or two finish our routine chores and head to school. It happens today as well. A lot of time say almost 2 to 3 hours is lost in getting ready and reaching the school/college. If we actually calculate from the time we leave our bed in the morning to the 1st period at the institute begins, it takes almost 3 to 5 hours till actual studying begins.

But if we look at E-Learning, it provides us with abundance of time. You don’t have to go anywhere. Simply get-up, get ready and head to your PC/tablet and begin your course for the day. E-Learning saves a lot of that time, which you lose in the process of travelling and all other things.

On a brighter side, this also positively affects the child’s creativity and helps develop his creative interests. Study will not be a time bound and burdensome process. Alongside studies, the student also gets to develop his hobbies and perform non-curricular creative activities with the additional spare time he gets. Awesome isn’t it..? E-Learning helps maintain the balance between academic and non-academic sides of a learner.

Accessibility of Topic

This is that one factor which actually links the learning process with the interest of the learner in gathering knowledge. Accessibility can simply be referred to as the freedom of selecting which subject the learner wants to read.

Usually, in a classroom scenario, let it be school, college or university there is the system of periods where a subject is allotted a fixed timeslot. However, in the E-Learning approach there are no such rules. There are courses right in front of you. Choose your favourite subject and get going.

Top E-Learning providers today bring out courses which follow the same approach as of classroom. There are fixed modules as per requirement of the subject. A student is free to learn any subject as per his wish. Let’s say a guy preparing for JEE likes Physics. So, he can begin his day by studying Physics.

The process of learning majorly depends upon how the concerned learner is able to invoke his own interest and actually gets involved in the process rather than just superficially skimming the lesson.

Accessibility in E-learning also enables a learner to give exam at his own convenience. You can give your exam at a cybercafé which is nearer to your house. There is no need to travel a long distance to any crowded examination centre. That does not mean one can skip the exam or do any cheating. There are strict anti-cheating methods incorporated by E-Learning tools that may disqualify the examinee. Like we said, technology has advanced a lot and accessibility factor makes a huge difference between regular classroom teaching and E-Learning facility.

Ease of Understanding

Mugging up used to be the trend back in the days where, a student may understand a topic or not, but he has to by heart it anyway and reflect the same on the examination answer paper. However, E-Learning is here to break the norm. It incorporates a steady outflow of knowledge to the learner. In this way, the learner can keep up with the new topic while practically executing it via assignments and exams. The understanding will never be affected.

Often we have students who may not be confident enough to ask and clarify their own doubts among hundreds of other students in the classroom. With E-Learning courses we have plenty of animations and simple breakdown of difficult subjects, so that a student can easily grasp it.

Also, E-Learning tools provide dedicated doubt clearing sections. A learner can also demand for separate one-to-one doubt clearing session with a teacher/mentor. A lot of E-Learning software provides these features. It will be one-to-one session and a student can confidently clarify his doubts.

Cost

One of the most important factors in education is cost. Usually, we refer to the cost of education as fees. Now in a regular school/college education the fee is divided into many categories which sums up to a hefty amount in millions. Educational institutions charge a high amount of fee for the education as well as for other things such as transportation, hostel, mess, examination fees etc.

Many families do not have the luxury to afford modern day education. Yet, they make sure their children get the right education. Here E-Learning can come to their rescue. With any E-Learning tool, you get plenty of course materials for various subjects. The price you pay is usually a onetime subscription amount. This figure is fairly low as compared to what one has to pay annually to an institution as fees.

Additionally, E-Learning also makes education accessible to everyone. Every human being holds a basic right to get education in their life. So, you can observe how E-Learning is doing much more than just imparting education over the air. It brings all those advantages and ease which will help in the growth of a student (of any domain) in a creative and affordable way. A learner avails all of the above from E-Learning tools, while maintaining the discipline and traits of a regular classroom environment.

So, these are some basic yet important difference between the E-Learning and classroom learning. Both the form of education is important. However, change is vital for growth, and we believe E-Learning is that change which will shape up the future of education in India at a global level.