With the advent of modern technology, education has evolved gradually into something that was unimaginable a few decades ago. The power of internet has enabled us to obtain information from throughout the world from the comfort of our desks. This facility has changed the way we look at education. Gone are the days when only visiting college in person or taking a correspondence course with the help of postal system was an option. Nowadays, it’s possible to get the experience of attending a college and gaining all benefits that a normal college offers through eLearning. Here is a detailed account of benefits and demerits of eLearning. Learning about these facts would help you in making a wise decision regarding your education.
Benefits of eLearning
One of the first advantages of this mode of learning is that, it is more cost effective when compared to attending a real college. Not only in terms of tuition fee is virtual learning less expensive but even in terms of obtaining study material, travel expenses etc. By spending lesser than you would for traditional colleges, you would be able to obtain the same degree. Hence, for those who are worried about cost of attendance, it’s a great option. Unnecessary financial burdens like accumulation students’ loan could be avoided by taking up eLearning. This way not only is a lot of money saved but also one gets to keep one’s peace of mind intact.
Another important benefit is the flexibility that it offers. ELearning could be done according to your convenience and at your time. It’s possible to pursue this method of learning while being actively engaged in other activities. Even if you hold a permanent, full time job, it’s possible to pursue uninterrupted education through this mode. For those who are engaged throughout the week, there is an option of choosing weekend eLearning that would allow you to study your favorite subject at your own time. If you have to study a certificate or short term course to add to your professional skill, then eLearning is the best way to go about it.
With eLearning it’s possible to approach education through various kinds of learning. It allows you to study at your own pace without rushing anything. Students are also given various activities through eLearning that makes education more interesting and lively. With eLearning, age is no bar. There is no need to regret about the time lost in the past and eLearning allows you to make a fresh start. There is also no embarrassment of facing a class in which all students are at least a decade younger than you. Comfort is another big plus. It’s possible to learn the most complex of theories in a relaxing manner, wearing your night dress, slouching on your bed and sipping margarita.
Through eLearning, the student gets complete focus. There are one on one classes also available through eLearning if a student prefers it. This doesn’t mean that students do not get to interact with fellow students. There are always activities and interactions based sessions with the help of which it’s possible to exchange ideas and benefit from others’ opinions. A lot of support and guidance is offered from the side of online universities and coaching centers to the students. Just like a regular college, the work of the students is evaluated on a regular basis. This ensures that the progress of the student is monitored. In case of any clarifications, it’s possible for the students to contact the concerned teachers or professors at any time. 24/7 support is provided by most of the online institutions that impart education to the students.
Demerits of eLearning
Demerits of eLearning although quite less and insignificant when compared to the benefits, cannot be entirely ignored. The major disadvantage of eLearning is the cost that needs to spend on a good computer and high speed internet. However, this is a onetime investment. Once, this cost is taken care of, and then it’s possible to get access to lifelong learning that have the several above mentioned benefits. Hence, it’s important to invest in a good computer if you already do not have one. Really high speed internet is also the key to enjoy eLearning with its complete essence.
The feedback that needs to be obtained from the peers and teachers might not be as instant as you desire. This doesn’t mean that you would have to wait for a long time before getting a response from the other side. However, it means that the experience might not be always as same as that of attending traditional college.
Keeping the above mentioned facts in mind, it’s clearly seen that the merits of eLearning far outweigh the demerits. Hence, eLearning is a boon to the human society and should definitely be embraced for a better educated community.
Rajkumar Jonnala is a Part time Blogger and in his free time writes a lot about cable label and rack cable management.