Advantages and Disadvantages of E-learning

The word "e" in e-learning specifies electronic. This means that e-learning is an electronic device or learning with the use of electronic devices or technology. It includes learning by the means of computer or laptop, mobile phones etc. nowadays, the use of mobile phones is not included as a part of e-learning. It is given a different and new term that is m-learning. E-learning uses information and communication technology for the purpose of learning.

Types of E-Learning
E-learning is of three types: synchronous e-learning, asynchronous e-learning, and the blended method.

Asynchronous E-Learning: The word asynchronous means not at the same time. In this type of e-learning, there is no need of a live interaction in between the instructor and the students. Some methods of Asynchronous e-learning are:

• Embedded Learning: In embedded learning, the students have the access to the information which they require all the time. The information is posted to their house address or is emailed to them or by any other means is provided to them.
• Courses: the students or the users of the services can get training for any task at any time. The advantage of this is that they can continue their course at a pace which suits them, unlike the practical classrooms in which the students have to learn at a predefined pace of the instructor.
• Discussion Groups: It is a group in which discussion occurs over time. Usually, a group is formed by the students and instructors which have the same interests and discussion rough messages can be accomplished here. This also useful when a lot of students have the same query and the same answer is to be sent to all students.

Synchronous E-Learning: The word synchronous means at the same time. In synchronous e-learning, the student and the instructor have to interact at the same time using the facility of internet. They have to be connected in real time. Some methods of synchronous e-learning are:

• Virtual Classroom: It is very similar to the physical or the real classroom. The difference is that the classroom is fictitious. It is over the net. In a virtual classroom, the students and the instructor enter into the conversation using the internet. They may enter into the conversation via chatting, messaging, calling, video conferencing or anything else.

Blended Method: In the blended method, features of both the types that is synchronous and asynchronous, are included.

Features of E-Learning

• Students can learn at their own speed. There is no need to match with the speed of the other students.
• Students can learn as per their needs or interest. They do not have to worry about what other students want to study.
• The geographical barriers to learning are eliminated.
• The resources are available at all times. Students can access them whenever they require it.
• It enhances the computer and internet skills of the student

Advantages of E-Learning

E-learning has a lot of advantages over the regular learning in the schools or classrooms. Some of them are:

• Flexible: In regular kind of learning, the student may have a fixed routine in which they have to sit together and learn from the instructor. The duration of the class is fixed. The topics to be discussed in the class are also fixed. But this is not the case in e-learning. The routine of e-learning is very flexible. The students can learn when they want and wherever they want. It is up to them what they want to study and for how much time they have to study.
• Anytime Access to the Resources: Students need access to different kinds of resources. These resources can be notes, theories, diagrams etc. In e-learning, the resources are made available to the students at all the times of the day. So the students can use them anytime and anywhere they want.
• Immediate Result or Feedback: In the case of regular learning, the tests are taken by paper and pen. These papers are then checked by the teachers. And then the results are declared. This takes a lot of time and hard work. The students have to wait a lot for the results which become very stressful for them. It is not easy for the teacher also to check these papers. E-learning gives an advantage here. The tests are taken through online quizzes or some pre-designed software which first conduct the test and then check them. This reduces the work of the teacher. Also, the result is obtained in a short while, in some cases, it is obtained just after the test finishes.
• More Retention: In the case of regular learning. Learning is done by means of conversation between the instructor and the students. The use of smart technology is very less in regular teaching method. But in the case of e-learning, there is a generous use of digital resources included presentations, multimedia that includes images and videos etc. With the use of such resources, the students get to learn more. They understand better the things which they see rather than read. So it increases the understanding and retention ability of the students.
• Cost Effective: When a student is engaged in regular learning, they have to go to the institute regularly. They need a transportation cost. The teachers teaching the student get the salary from the institutes. This adds it to the cost. The maintenance cost of the institute also adds up. Classroom rent or institutional rent I also involved. On the other hand, in the case of e-learning, there is no rent involved. The students can have access to resources from anywhere they are so there is no transportation cost also. Many such factors which increase the cost are chopped off in e-learning. Therefore, e-learning is more cost effective.
• Greener Approach: The regular learning method uses pen and paper. Even the tests are conducted on a pen paper medium. These papers are made by chopping down trees. Moreover, the pencils are also made of wood.  Als,o the use of transportation by the students and teachers causes pollutions. But in e-learning, everything is digital. There is no need for papers and pens. Everything is noted using electronic devices. The students do not have to go to the schools so there is no need for transportation. This shows that e-learning follows a greener approach.
• Fast Learning: In regular learning, the speed of learning depends on the number of staff available and the number of classrooms available and the limited time period of a class. But in the case of e-learning, the speed depends on as per the needs of the students.
• Easy Collaboration: When a number of students work together on the same topic, they face problems while they study together using the regular learning methods. E-learning gives them a good opportunity. They connect to each other at any time and anywhere. They can share resources, discuss and learn. Therefore, e-learning is very beneficial for all the students who wish to study in groups.
• Easy Updating: In regular learning methods notes have to be regularly updated by the students. This takes a lot of time. But in e-learning, notes are simply sent to the students. So they are automatically updated.

Disadvantages of E-Learning

Every which is advantageous for us will definitely have some drawbacks associated with it. Similarly, e-learning also has some drawbacks associated with it.  Some of them are:

• No Control: In the case of regular learning, the learning controlled by the teacher. The teacher motivates the students to study. Also, the teacher makes a regular routine for the student. This makes learning necessary for them. But in the case of e-learning, it is just the opposite. The control is in the hands of the student. It is the student who decides what to study and when to study. In this case, the students become careless. The may neglect the fact that they have to study. There is no motivation for the. No regularity exists in e-learning. This is the major drawback of e-learning.
• Learning Approach: In the regular learning technique, the students interact with each other face to face. This interaction becomes enjoyable for them. If these students practice the case of e-learning, they feel that this approach is very dull. They find it very boring to study alone. So this is a drawback of e-learning that it does not provide a regular interaction between the students. Moreover, if there is no discussion between the students, they will think only in one direction. They will not get to know what other people feel at the same topic and they will not be able to compare their views.
• Technology Dependent: E-learning depends solely on technology. Computers are the basic necessity of e-learning. Internet becomes the second necessity. When someone wants to join e-learning, he needs to process a computer or a laptop, an internet connection with a go speed, some specific software which are required to run special kinds of multimedia or e-resources. This becomes the investment for e-learning. But theses gadgets may experience some faults. In the case of a fault, e-learning could not be continue for a short while. These devices have to be rectified first and then the process of e-learning could start. Moreover, these devices require maintenance.
• No Practical Work: Inthe regular method of teaching, regular practice session are organized for the students. Therefore, the students get to know how they can use the theoretical knowledge, which they are learning in the class, in the practical world. But in the case of e-learning, there is no practical session for the students. The students may be provided with videos in which the practical use of their knowledge is shown but that is not enough. The practical cannot be fully explained until they it by themselves. This is a great drawback.
• Useless for Disabled: In e-learning, there is no or very limited provision for the students with the disabilities.it is not so useful for the students with disabilities. For example, e-learning is useless for the students who are blind. The deaf and dumb students also do not have much advantage of e-learning. But in regular methods, there are proper provisions for the students with disabilities. For example, the blind students are taught with the help of braille.
• Resource Incompatibility: Every student’s computer has different specifications. The resources which are sent to the students are the same that is they have the same formats. So a resource which is working properly on one computer may be incompatible with the other one.

Conclusion
E-learning uses technology. This is an advantage also and a disadvantage also. The technology used in e-learning improves the understanding of the student. They are able to retain more knowledge. And it makes studying flexible for them. But it becomes a disadvantage when the students take it for granted. They become lazier for studying. They neglect the need to learn. In this case, there is no motivation from the instructor also which motivates them to learn or study. They do not follow any routine and may not study for a few days or weeks. Also, the use of technology is prone to faults and errors. This requires maintenance. Before choosing e-learning for yourself, know what your learning style is. If it suits you, only then go for it. You know better what suits you.