E-learning, or electronic learning is a process that uses digital tools and electronic media like the Internet, CD-ROMs, Software Programs, video conferences and many more which the contents and instructions of the syllabus are transferred digitally. E-learning has been introduced in What is so different of e-learning from the traditional learning process?
Traditional learning is merely going through books, papers, reading and writing but e-learning makes these processes more interesting by having a more attractive learning website and a 3-D based presentation. With these, I believe that learning is no more a boring task for most of the students.
University students found out that e-learning has a lot of benefits compared to traditional learning.
- E-learning promotes Individualization—students can learn in their own pace and do not need to worry that they cannot follow up with the whole class. This cannot be done when lectures are carried on in lecture halls. In traditional lectures, the lecturers will need to complete the syllabus within the given time frame and this will be a disadvantage for students who are slower than others.
- E-learning also helps to save costs—the learning process can be done online, thus help to save money on transport, accommodation fees. Students can just learn at home and stay at home. All they need is to have an Internet service. Besides, they can save time from traveling to the university too.
- Improved access and flexibility—E-learning is available anytime, anywhere as long as internet services are available. Information can be transferred faster and accessible 24/7. Students will not need to worry on getting their notes late from their lecturers. All they need is to download the notes from the source provided.
- Improved control and standardization—Besides flexibility, students and lecturers can have better control and standardization on the information shared. All the information will be shared online and the related students and lecturers are able to access it immediately. Students will not need to worry that they will get different information from others.
- Encourage communication and collaboration—Learning online also improve students’ communicating skills. This will help students who tend to be passive or shy to voice out in class to participate actively in the virtual learning space. They can share their ideas for discussion online rather than keep quiet in class.
- Demonstrate concepts that are difficult to convey in other medium—Sometimes, an idea can be conveyed more effectively using E-learning instead of using verbal explanations. For example, mind-maps or drawings are more effective to be presented online.
However, there are also certain drawbacks from e-Learning. When the internet connection is slow, students will be unable to download the notes they need immediately. Broadband or internet services are still unavailable in all areas today especially the rural areas. Students who cannot afford to have internet services will have no opportunity to enjoy e-Learning. The transfer of data may also be exposed to potential harms like viruses or hackers. Besides, students’ abilities to interact with people face-to-face will be discouraged.
Those students who are introvert may be more passive when they are facing with people if they rely too much on learning themselves, individually without mixing with other people. Besides, students need to be highly self-disciplined when learning by themselves online.
Although there are disadvantages from e-Learning, it is still a need in the booming electronic advancement today. If this e-Learning is carried out systematically, it is always an effective and efficient study medium. Students should utilize its benefits in order to achieve a more effective result from learning online. I believe our university is still developing and improving its e-learning facilities which will gradually be an essential part for our future education.
References:
1. Wong, D., (2006) Fulltime Students' and Working Adults' Perceptions of E-Learning in Malaysia, Asian Journal of Distance Education, Retrieved 20 June 2009 from http://www.AsianJDE.org
2. Puteh, M.,(2007) E-learning In Malaysian Public Universities:Case Studies of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Retrieved 20 June 2009 from eprints.utm.my/4505/
E-learning is good, but not to everyone. Only students with high self discipline can fully benefit from e-learning.
ReplyDeleteEven with superb technology, traditional learning is still important. E-learning is all about internet and computer. The world is not like that, at least not yet. IT world is great but we have to think of the tone of teaching, body languages, teacher's personal attention towards individuals. If the world has to turn into a full computerized learning system we will be using automated upload system or AI (Artificial Intelligence) instead of human teachers. That too disables many job opportunities. Movies and experiments have taught us. Unless the AI's intelligence could be limited and controlled so that the interior code will be guaranteed NEVER mess up, then AI is fine. Else if even AI can "feel". There's no meaning of having human beings in the world then.
My opinion is that we must use both. Like what my university is using now. We teach and we upload. At least there is still a schedule for me to follow, for me to attend class, for lecturers to see into our problems in class directly, as well as benefiting the online notes and tutorials or even online attendance implemented in my school.
Frankly, i like e-learning as much as what you have suggested, it is 24-hours oriented and it is much more convenient to me for managing my schedule as well.
ReplyDeleteHowever, when it comes to the practice in reality, i am kinda worry about the difficulties of e-learning may be happened, which caused by the network problems and uncertainties.
I am not sure how it happens in the overseas, but in Malaysia, e-learning is just not so into the people here. Besides, the Internet service here is very poor too, which makes the learner hard to download the resources from the intranet.
So, it has pros and cons, for me, i do enjoy both e-learning and universities life.
Cheers!
Joe Ho
I have to say that the concept of e-learning do sounds good but when we taking account of the uncertaintis i doubt that it will really work especially in Malaysia.
ReplyDelete