It's a Small, Small, Small World

I have been having many of my own personal "world is flat" moments lately. We have taught folks as far afield as Syria and Turkey about eLearning. And through our courses, blogs and webinars, we have initiated conversations and consultations about eLearning with people from the U.K., Australia, India, China, Sri Lanka, Africa and a host of other places. The Internet really is making the world a smaller place and I am seeing evidence every day that highly industrious and creative people are using it to advance learning in all kinds of interesting ways.

Here are three examples:

Tutor Vista

Based in Bangalore, India, Tutor Vista offers real-time web-based one-on-one tutoring in a range of subjects (e.g. math, English, various sciences, etc.), as well as for college entrance examination preparation. With only a headset, microphone, and whiteboard, high school or college students can receive unlimited tutoring assistance from a highly educated and qualified Indian tutor for $100 a month.

InterLangua

Similarly, InterLangua hooks up qualified language instructors from Guatemala with individuals interested in learning Spanish. It uses a combination of webcam, voice and synchronous chat to connect Spanish language tutors with students anywhere there is a web connection. Learners can purchase ten sessions for $200.

ChinesePod

Based in Shanghai, ChinesePod provides a rich immersive online environment for learning Mandarin Chinese. They use a creative mix of daily podcast audio lessons, interactive exercises and tools, and a diverse world-wide online community who support each other in their mutual learnings. Learners can choose from a variety of approaches ranging from audio lessons and transcripts only ($60 a year) to intense eight-week sessions with daily practice calls from tutors ($400). I will be trying out ChinesePod myself....I'll let you know in a later post how it goes.

Distances and barriers between people, ideas and learning are being obliterated. The web is connecting people with shared interests and allowing those with special expertise to reach a world-wide learning market efficiently and economically. I point to the examples mentioned above when clients in corporations, government, or non-profits tell me that their constituencies are not ready for eLearning, or that they are still examining the feasibility of web-based learning environments. My message: that train has already left the station!