The Developments and Issues of E-Learning
News Item:
Clark, Don “The Pros and Cons of E – Learning”. P. 2007
Presentation of the Issue
E-Learning is trying to provide a more individualized, self-paced, self-directed learning experience (Clark). A survey by a Sociology Professor at CSU-Northridge showed that students in his virtual class performed 20% better than students in his traditional class (Clark). On the other hand, issues concerned with E-Learning includes the fact that students may not be as motivated since, another survey found out that only 66% of the students involved with E-Learning earned credit with a passing grade for their classes (Washington Post).
E-learning promises to provide ways of learning for all Auditory, visual and kinesthetic learners (Kruse). It also provides benefits that traditional classrooms cannot, For Example, individual attention and courses that local schools don’t offer (Florida Today). Both the teacher and student have easy-going environments where they can work according to their pace, thus reducing stress and producing better outcomes. Online courses can be delivered anywhere where Internet is available and E-learning usually costs less than traditional schools while providing similar education (Clark).
However, there may be social impacts on the student since E-learning provides very little opportunity for interaction (Obringer). People also remember more when they are encouraged to interact in the activity and E-Learning sometimes contains boring slides with monotonous speech (Obringer). Because of these reasons, the online student dropout rate is around 35% whilst the average dropout rate for universities...
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...” FLORIDA TODAY. September 7th 2007. The Associated Press. July 25th 2008.
Kruse, Kevin “The Benefits and Drawbacks of E-Learning” E-Learningguru.com 2002-2004. Centrax July 24th 2008.
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“Learn English with a Trained Online Tutor” (Diagram 1), English4today.com, 2008 praxMatrix Ltd. August 17th 2008.
Obringer, Lee Ann. “How E-learning Works.” HowStuffWorks.com. 01 October 2001. Howstuffworks Inc. July 12th 2008.
“The History of E-Learning”. Lyon.chin.gc.ca. 2004. Government of Canada July 24th 2008.
Shapira, Ian. “The Odd world of E-School Teachers” WASHINGTON POST. July 25th 2008. The Washington Post Company. August 4th 2008
McGreal R. & Elliott, M. (2004). Technologies of online learning (e-Learning). In T. Anderson. & F. Elloumi (Eds.), Theory and practice of online learning (pp. 115-135). Retrieved February 6, 2011 from http://cde.athabascau.ca/online_book/ch5.html
Yet one cannot praise the advantages without taking a look at the possible limitations of Web-based delivery. The authors, (Sunal et al., 2003) stated that Web-based students indicated dissatisfaction with the number of opportunities for interaction with the instructor and other students. (Simonson et al., 2003) concluded that access to technology, paradigm shifts for instructors, bandwidth limitations, and training and technical assistance may hinder course delivery. They (Simonson et al., 2003) reported too, that online courses require students to be motivated, self directed and responsible for their success. Another possible disadvantage with Web-based courses is the potential loss of social relationships and sense of community that exists in traditional face-to-face courses (Hiltz, 1998).
There are many benefits to web-based courses. There is more flexibility in the time allotted for logging in to classes and submitting work. Travel and parking issues are eliminated. Students are able to work at their own pace, devoting more time to areas where they need more practice. (Brown, 2012). Students who do not live near accredited universities now have the opportunity to seek a degree without interrupting their whole life. E-learning helps to balance work life, family life, and education. Furthermore, e-learning is a more cost-effective solution than standard formal education.
Online education, while offering clear advantages such as supporting a self-paced learning experience by allowing learning on an on-demand basis rather than a strict class schedule, also has significant drawbacks. Students in an online only course may struggle with structure and content without hands-on instruction, which can help motivate students who otherwise may be distracted or have difficulty working independently. The traditional structure of classroom education is effective, but also comes with a set of obstacles, particularly for nontraditional students. The best way to bridge this gap is hybrid education, which combines technology and personal interaction to support efficiency and self-paced learning while keeping students motivated, social, and connected to their professors and their peers through face to face interactions. While this newer learning model is still under investigation, there is evidence to prove that hybrid courses can lead to academic success.
However, studies reveal that “e-learning courses which provide interactivity can boost the overall knowledge retention rate to anywhere from 50% to 90%.”
Furthermore, some may suggest that online learning is benefiting our students in society. There has been a breakthrough in time and geographical limitations of education via online courses (Ho, 2009). Online education is cost-effective, efficient, and easily accessible (Schmeeckle, 2003). Online classes are used for individual and independent learning in which the student can learn at their own pace (Gonzalez, 2009). Not only is online education beneficial for breaking down barriers, online education has the potential to help students learn material more efficiently. Students are more likely to seek help from their instructors when the material is taught online (Whipp & Lorentz, 2009). Computer use in statistical classes could help decrease math anxiety (Gundy, Morton, Liu, & Kline, 2006). In a study that measured online students’ ability to achieve the same efficiency of course material as face-to-face students, at least 98% of students reported that they had, so one may be lead to believe that online learning is just as efficient as face-to-face courses (Liebowitz, 2003). With all of the positive aspects of online education, one may wonder why there is any debate as to whether or not online education is beneficial for
Today’s generation is like no other. The nation as a whole has completely evolved from past times, with technology being one of the greatest improvements. Traditionally, schooling takes place in a classroom setting, but, with the many modifications in our world’s system, we are able to assimilate more modern means of education, such as online learning. However, with many changes comes differences and requires adjustments. The online learning system has proven to be just as effective as traditional learning, with some minor differences, however, nothing of great significance. A few of those insignificant differences include online learning being convenient, especially for the non-traditional students,
Digital learning is defined as learning through digital devices such as computers, tablets, or smart phones over the Internet. It is also known by other names, such as virtual learning, online learning, e-learning, distance learning, or continuing education. Digital learning was first introduced as “Computer Assisted Learning Center” in 1982 [1]. The first online course was introduced by “Computer Assisted Learning Campus” in 1994, in which students can take courses over the web [1]. Michael Chasen and Matthew Pittinsky founded Blackboard in 1997. In 1999, Blackboard, SmartThinking and e-campus became popular among different universities around the world. Between 2002 and 2008, there was an increase in students taking online courses by 187% [2]. In the year 2009, total number of students who were taking web-based curriculum was 5.5 million [2]. This statistic shows that the online learning trend is on the rise each day.
People have a lot of options in educating themselves online in today’s time and technology. Online education has improved a lot in the past twenty years. Even though it has had its setbacks, it continues to show promising results. Online education has many benefits with little to no disadvantages. It provides flexibility in scheduling and offers various options in educational online programs. In the past decade, education has evolved into a more technological-driven world.
Firstly, the positive effects of e-learning is, e-learning can improve efficiency both in learning and teaching of students or teachers. This is because the use of e-learning will enable students to perform the tasks given by the teacher quickly and efficiently. Besides that, the use of e-learning system allows the teacher or lecturer can upload drills and assignment on sites like Facebook or another. For example, a lecturer at KPTM Kuala Lumpur using OLES (online learning system) to give assignment to their students. E-learning can also open students mind and enhance student knowledge of IT (information technology); this is because most of the information we get from technology. The ideal way to use for students and lecturers are synchronous communication style. Here the communication between the teac...
A lot of different courses are offered over the internet. Some of these may be the right choice for certain students. One problem I see with this is that when the student has a question or does not understand something, they would have to research it instead of having a person to person interaction with the teacher. Also the teacher may sometimes offer examples that come from personal experiences. Computers cannot take the place of a human being.
The implementation of online learning in many universities has proven to be a successful method of course delivery (Regan, Evmenova, Baker, Jerome, Spencer, Lawson, & Werner, 2012). Dickson-Dean, Galyen, and Moore (2011) proposed that online learning can promote successful learning opportunities for students as well as rewarding benefits for all educational stakeholders. Factors that contribute to the success of online learning include, but are not limited to, flexibility and accessibility, cost reduction, increased retention, and varied learning opportunities (Neely & Tucker, 2010). Online learning and associated technology is becoming increasingly adaptable and can be used to meet the educational needs of all students while providing opportunities for differentiated instruction (Krishnakumar & Kumar, 2011). Online learning provides both students and instructors with opportun...
There are many advantages to online learning, it affects the way people can learn. According to “Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students”, “students have a greater willingness to write or work on computational skills”. “They say student like the immediate results of having online learning.” Another advantage is that students can learn at their own pace. With learning at their own pace they will be able to actually know the information well. If, they are in a regular classroom setting they may no...
Beside that“… [that] some U.S. states are now requiring young people to take a least one online course during their schooling” (Loertscher, Koechlin 50). The term of the online learning, it is demonstrated through some software have been provided by private cooperation to schools. These software such as Blackboard, Webex. Litmos, and others. Therefore, the online learning has become more available and reliable because of the technology development in the 21st century inspire of technology. When it comes to the online learning been provided by the schools and other educational institutes some argued that, it will reduce the education cost, saves time, and provide more quality of the learning, but other said it will not make any differences and lower the quality of
With the advent of modern technology, a forceful impact of this technology has been observed in nearly all walks of modern day life. With the increasing access to these facilities, the lives of modern-day human beings have changed so dramatically that in many cases a reversal towards the old ways of life seems apparently impossible. Similar is the case with the process of education. In general the concept of e-learning has modified learning modes and behaviors to a much greater extent. It has...