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E-Learning is a Social Tool for E-Commerce at Tertiary Institutions 159<br />
The Virtual Classroom<br />
Tiffin & Rajasingham (1995) first used the term “virtual class” to refer to the<br />
learning process enabled solely by telecommunications and distinguishes the<br />
concept of the virtual class from the “virtual classroom “ proposed by Hiltz (1996)<br />
as “…it suggests that the place a virtual class is held is an electronic simulation of<br />
conventional classroom” and further described it as the use of computer-mediated<br />
communications “…to create electronic analogue of the communications forms that<br />
usually occur in a classroom including discussion as well as lectures and tests”.<br />
Uys (1999) agreed with Tiffin & Rajasingham, that the virtual class could be<br />
described as the process that occurs when teacher, learner, problem and knowledge<br />
are joined solely through communication and information technologies for the<br />
purpose of learning and teaching. (Piccoli et al. 2001) referred to the virtual class<br />
as virtual learning environments (VLEs) and (Wilson, 1996) defined it as “computer-based<br />
environments, allowing interactions and encounters with other participants”.<br />
Uys (1999) noted that the virtual class is an educational experience of real<br />
people in a virtual dimension and that in the virtual class the teaching and learning<br />
is performed without the movement of physical objects (e.g., getting students and<br />
lecturers into a physical venue). Dede (1996) argued that the virtual classroom has<br />
a wider spectrum of peers with whom learners can collaborate than any local region<br />
can offer and a broader range of teachers and mentors than any single educational<br />
institution can afford.<br />
The virtual class as defined by Tiffin & Rajasingham (1995) and Uys (1999)<br />
supports the Computer-Student model suggested by Serduikov (2001). The virtual<br />
class can be described as a technology-delivered e-learning environment.<br />
Electronic Learning<br />
The Inter<strong>net</strong> in Tertiary Institutions<br />
There is a steady increase in the use of the Inter<strong>net</strong> and the World Wide Web<br />
for tertiary education according to Chin et al. (2000). Convenience and flexibility<br />
of web-based delivery have attracted many students who are unable to attend<br />
traditional classrooms.<br />
Sherson (1999) argued that there is a growing need for education institutions<br />
to digitize their content and activities. Technology should also be used for<br />
developing curriculum and supporting the teacher. The digital revolution is in<br />
progress and teachers will need to be encouraged make effective use of digital<br />
resources (Sherson, 1999).<br />
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