Online Learning - A Boon or Bane?
As a parent, I often get irritated when I see the kids too engrossed in their gadgets. One such day when I had finished doling out some ‘sensible advice’ to them, I received a phone call that prompted me to think.
The call was from a very popular e-learning centre trying to convince me to try their customised package for my twelve year old. The executive at the other end went on and on about how perfect it would be; somehow, that day he did not earn a commission because of me.
So, how effective are these online teaching tools and would they be able to completely replace the traditional methods of teaching?
Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits. Educational methods include storytelling, discussion, teaching, training, and directed research. Education frequently takes place under the guidance of educators, but learners may also educate themselves through reading, writing, observation and such other self - motivated ways.
Formal education occurs in a structured environment whose explicit purpose is teaching students. Usually, formal education takes place in a school environment with classrooms of multiple students learning together with a trained, certified teacher of the subject.
However, as the world progresses rapidly towards a more technologically advanced era, electronic educational technology (also called e learning) takes a significant place in the life of students as well as teachers and in turn parents.
Though the champions of e learning seem to be confident that the future is here with such tools, a section of parents, teachers and the rest of the society remain sceptical. Here’s what I think are a few pros and cons of this trend.
Advantages:
- Flexibility - The learner has a flexible schedule at hand. There are no fixed timings that he/she must compulsorily attend. Goals can be completed at a convenient pace.
- Cost - The trainer’s fee, the cost of using the infrastructure of a school or college are all nonexistent here. With the exception of the learner’s laptop or smart phone, the cost of module or course selected and of course internet facility, there are no other major expenses.
- Mobility - Without being confined to a classroom, the learner can now use the tool anywhere even in a train or an aeroplane thus taking full advantage of the time which would otherwise have not been possible.
Disadvantages:
- Lack of structure - With no fixed schedule or routine, eLearning can become difficult for people to meet specific deadlines or goals and learners with low motivation can quickly fall behind in an online course. All said and done, the discipline that a formal school imparts is definitely a factor that will help toe the line in a lot many cases.
- Technological necessity - Power reliability, technological glitches and server crashes are to be taken into account while pursuing an online course.
- Computer proficiency - Some of the learners may not find it comfortable to use computers. Even if the software is very user friendly, the task may seem daunting for a few who are not at ease with computers.
There may be other pluses and minuses that could be added to the list. Nevertheless, in all, I feel that every individual must make a careful study of what the available options are and decide what suits him /her best.
