Learning on the Internet

Proud e-learners.

Learning on the internet, or more as it is more commonly known as "E-learning", is a form of technology-enhanced learning, such as online learning, or web-based learning. For example, in some schools and universities, e-learning is defined as attending a course, or a program of study where the students hardly, or never meet face-to-face with each other, or make use of the campus' facilities, because they do their studying online. It usually involves some form of interactivity, which may include online interaction between the learner and their teacher or peers, such as online discussions, online notes and sometimes even videos.

Some of the benefits of e-learning include:

1) Convenience and flexibility to learners: E-learners can learn at their own time, and at their own pace. Classes are available all the time, so students who want to learn in the middle of the night, can do so without much constrain.

2) Increased access: Lecturers can share their knowledge across borders, thus allowing students to attend classes across physical, political and economic boundaries. Thus, students can learn more, even if classes are taught by a lecturer overseas.

3) Improved performance: Research has shown that higher education students in online learning generally performed better than those in face-to-face courses.

4) To develop skills and competencies needed in the 21st century, particularly to ensure that students have the digital literacy skills required in their discipline, profession or career: A major argument for e-learning is that it allows students to develop essential skills by embedding the use of information and communications technologies within the curriculum. This also changes course design and the assessment of the students.

With such benefits, will this technology be a success in the future, possibly even overtaking traditional classrooms? Whereas I think this technology will definitely get more and more popular, I doubt it will replace traditional learning altogether.

This generation is getting more and more tech-savvy, and e-learning might actually be easier to conduct since more people are getting more connected online. E-learning means probably having to never leave your room, so that the student can always do their learning at their own time, at their own pace, and without the hassle of travelling to school.

However, I feel that such a method of learning takes a great deal of self-discipline, which might not be suitable for younger children. On top of that, since students might never get to meet their teachers and peers, their social interaction might suffer as a result. If this was to be implemented and replace traditional learning, people will be more isolated from each other as a result. Teachers, too, are supposed to inspire their students to learn, and such a role is possibly irreplaceable. Therefore, I feel that e-learning is useful, but should only be implemented probably at university level.