E-Learning in Neutron Activation Analysis
Since the middle 1990's electronic technology (E learning) has slowly infiltrated and now dominates education at all levels. E-learning encompasses a wide array of deliveries from simple introductions of animations in a teaching class to Massive Open-On-Line Courses (MOOCs) and Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (MOODLEs). Even the definition of e-learning can be allusive. E-learning can or cannot have the following aspects: internet availability, supervised exams, a teacher to advise the students by electronic means such as e-mail, telephone, SKYPE, GOOGLE HANGOUT, FACETIME, etc., and multimedia designs. E-learning has transformed education from the Traditional Classroom Course to a) Synchronous Distributed Course in which web-based technologies are used to extend classroom lectures and discussions to students at remote sites in real time; b) Web-Enhanced Course in which online course activity complements class sessions without reducing the number of required class meetings; c). 'Emporium' Course where this model is designed for on-campus use, eliminates all class meetings and replaces them with a learning resource center featuring online materials and on-demand personalized assistance; d) Hybrid Course where online activity is mixed with classroom meetings, replacing at least 20 percent, but not all required face-to-face meetings; and e) Online Course where all course activity is done online and there are no required face-to-face sessions within the course and no requirements for on-campus activity. E-learning takes an extra challenge where the subject matter is highly scientific and engineering oriented encompassing multiple complex mathematical notations and concepts. A straight forward presentation of equations in Power Point is a recipe for an unsuccessful delivery of lectures. But how does one deliver intricate concepts without the use of a traditional blackboard to write on and how does one reach a worldwide diverse community in a fast moving arena of technological changes in education delivery?. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other international organizations as well, have undertaken large efforts to secure nuclear knowledge management in a wide area of nuclear science and engineering including research reactors. (authors)