Asifa Ali, Dr. Bilal A Bhat
E-learning includes the electronic applications and processes applied to teaching and learning. E-learning applications are web based learning, computer based learning, virtual classroom and virtual collaboration. It is learning utilizing electronic technologies to access educational curriculum outside of a traditional classroom and understanding E-Learning is simple, in most cases, it refers to a course, program or degree delivered completely online. There are many terms used to describe learning that is delivered online, via the internet, ranging from Distance Education, to computerized electronic learning, online learning, internet learning and many others. We define E-Learning as courses that are specifically delivered via the internet to somewhere other than the classroom where the professor is teaching. It is not a course delivered via a DVD or CD-ROM, video tape or over a television channel. It is interactive in that you can also communicate with your teachers, professors or other students in your class. Sometimes it is delivered live, where you can “electronically” raise your hand and interact in real time and sometimes it is a lecture that has been prerecorded.
E-learning can also be termed as a network enabled transfer of skills and knowledge, and the delivery of education is made to a large number of recipients at the same or different times. Earlier, it was not accepted wholeheartedly as it was assumed that this system lacked the human element required in learning.
However, with the rapid progress in technology and the advancement in learning systems, it is now embraced by the masses. The introduction of computers was the basis of this revolution and with the passage of time, as we get hooked to smartphones, tablets, etc, these devices now have an importance place in the classrooms for learning. Books are gradually getting replaced by electronic educational materials like optical discs or pen drives. Knowledge can also be shared via the Internet, which is accessible 24/7, anywhere, anytime. E-learning has proved to be the best means in the corporate sector, especially when training programs are conducted by MNCs for professionals across the globe and employees are able to acquire important skills while sitting in a board room, or by having seminars, which are conducted for employees of the same or the different organizations under one roof. The schools which use E-learning technologies are a step ahead of those which still have the traditional approach towards learning. No doubt, it is equally important to take forward the concept of non-electronic teaching with the help of books and lectures, but the importance and effectiveness of technology-based learning cannot be taken lightly or ignored completely. It is believed that the human brain can easily remember and relate to what is seen and heard via moving pictures or videos. It has also been found that visuals, apart from holding the attention of the student, are also retained by the brain for longer periods. Various sectors, including agriculture, medicine, education, services, business, and government setups are adapting to the concept of E-learning which helps in the progress of a nation.
The term e-learning was first used in the professional environment in the year 1999 at CBT Seminar at Los Angeles. Therefore e-learning could be broadly defined as use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance and support learning. This could range from teachers and students using e-mail for communication to entirely online courses. This term is used synonymously with virtual learning, online learning, computer based learning, web based learning, and networked learning. Whatever may be the definition of e-learning, it is currently changing the way schools and colleges teach and the students learn. Significance of E-learning in Education? When it comes to online learning in education, the model has been pretty straightforward – up until the early 2000s education was in a classroom of students with a teacher who led the process. Physical presence was a no-brainer, and any other type of learning was questionable at best. Then the internet happened, and the rest is history.
Technology has advanced so much that the geographical gap is bridged with the use of tools that make you feel as if you are inside the classroom. E-learning offers the ability to share material in all kinds of formats such as videos, slideshows, word documents and PDFs. Conducting webinars (live online classes) and communicating with professors via chat and message forums is also an option available to users. There is a plethora of different e-learning systems (otherwise known as Learning Management Systems, or LMSs for short) and methods, which allow for courses to be delivered. With the right tool various processes can be automated such as a course with set materials and automatically marked tests. E-learning is an affordable (and often free) solution which provides the learners with the ability to fit learning around their lifestyles, effectively allowing even the busiest person to further a career and gain new qualifications. These days learners are well versed in the use of smartphones, text messaging and using the internet so participating in and running an online course has become a simple affair. Message boards, social media and various other means of online communication allow learners to keep in touch and discuss course related matters, whilst providing for a sense of community. Overall, traditional learning is expensive, takes a long time and the results can vary. The importance of E-learning is now a given fact and it can offer an alternative that is much faster, cheaper and potentially better.
The students using a CMS (and a web browser) can log in from anywhere in the world to access their class materials and interact with one another. Each institution uses a specific system, but they are all similar in their ability to present course material including class syllabus, assignments, quizzes, and provide video and audio plus a whiteboard screen where the lesson is presented just like it would be on a classroom’s video screen or blackboard. E-learning can be provided in many ways such as (a) Synchronous versus Asynchronous (b) Networked versus Stand alone (c) Individual versus Group (d) Online versus Offline (e) Internet versus Intranet (f) Computer based versus Other digital devices (g) Blended versus Fully online (h) Self-paced versus Instructor lead. There are various benefits of e-learning. If you can maintain the necessary self-discipline, the benefits of eLearning are almost too numerous to count. You can cover the material when you have time, go over it as often as you need, all without traveling to the classroom. There are no parking problems or expenses, transportation fees, athletic fees, housing and food service fees, plus you can take the class from any location with internet access. There have been many studies showing that eLearning students retain the material to a significantly greater degree than face-to-face instructor led classes. The characteristics of E- learning are (a) E-learning is Learner-Centric Learning (b) E-learning for lifelong learning (c)E-learning is Flexible Learning (d) E-learning is Social (e) E-learning is Personalized (f) E-learning Involves Effective Communication. To conclude today’s learners want relevant, mobile, self-paced, and personalized content. This need is fulfilled with the online mode of learning; here, students can learn at their own comfort and requirement. Let’s have an analytical look at the advantages of online learning (1) Online Learning Accommodates Everyone’s Needs: The online method of learning is best suited for everyone. This digital revolution has led to remarkable changes in how the content is accessed, consumed, discussed, and shared. Online educational courses can be taken up by office goers and housewives too, at the time that suits them. Depending on their availability and comfort, many people choose to learn at weekends or evenings.(2) Lectures Can Be Taken Any Number Of Times: Unlike classroom teaching, with online learning you can access the content an unlimited number of times. This is especially required at the time of revision when preparing for an exam. In traditional form of learning, if you can not attend the lecture, then you have to prepare for that topic on your own; in eLearning, you can attend the lectures whenever you want with ease. (3) Offers Access To Updated Content: A prime benefit of learning online is that it makes sure that you are in synchronization with modern learners. This enables the learner to access updated content whenever they want it (4) Quick Delivery Of Lessons: e-Learning is a way to provide quick delivery of lessons. As compared to traditional classroom teaching method, this mode has relatively quick delivery cycles. This indicates that the time required to learn is reduced to 25%-60% of what is required in traditional learning (5) Scalability: e-Learning helps in creating and communicating new training, policies, concepts, and ideas. Whether it is for formal education or entertainment, e-Learning is very quick way of learning! (6) Consistency: e-Learning enables educators to get a higher degree of coverage to communicate the message in a consistent way for their target audience. This ensures that all learners receive the same type of training with this learning mode (7) Reduced Costs: e-Learning is cost effective as compared to traditional forms of learning. The reason for this price reduction is because learning through this mode happens quickly and easily. A lot of training time is reduced with respect to trainers, travel, course materials, and accommodation. This cost effectiveness also helps in enhancing the profitability of an organization (8) Effectiveness: e-Learning has a positive influence on an organization’s profitability. It makes it easy to grasp the content and digest it (9) Less Impact On Environment: As eLearning is a paperless way of learning, it protects the environment to a lot of extent. As per a study done on e-Learning courses, it has been found that distance-based learning programs consumed around 90% less power and generated 85% less amount of CO2 emissions as compared to traditional campus-based educational courses. With eLearning, there is no need to cut trees for obtaining paper. Thus, eLearning is a highly eco-friendly way of learning. It is concluded that due to the wide set of benefits it gives to students, e-Learning has become quite popular and appreciated among students all over the world.
( Dr Bilal A Bhat is an Associate Professor at S K University of Agriculture Sciences & Technology-SKUAST Srinagar and Dr Asifia Ali a research scholar, at DLIS, University of Kashmir Associate Professor. Views are their own)