E-Learning: Advantages & Disadvantages

E-Learning:Advantages & Disadvantages Mohammad Hussein Kaveh PHD in Health Education

Why e-Learning? “There are two great equalisers in life - the internet and education. By combining the two, e-learning will be the great equaliser in the next century. By eliminating barriers of time, distance, and socio-economic status, individuals can now take charge of their own lifelong learning.” John Chambers CEO of CISCO systems MH KAVEH

Advantages of e-Learning • E-learning is more cost saving & cost effectivethan traditional learning; MH KAVEH

Comparison of Relative Costs Relative costs Years MH KAVEH

Relative Costs Per Capita Relative Costs MH KAVEH

Advantages of e-Learning • Diminishes problemsrelated to in-classroom teaching of audiences • Learning timesreduced, an average of 40 to 60 percent, • Increased retentionand application to the job averages an increase of 25 percent over traditional methods, MH KAVEH

Advantages of e-Learning • Expert knowledge is communicated, but more importantly captured, with good e-learning and knowledge management systems. • Accessby learners to teachers and resources, worldwide • Aiding equal opportunities • Immediate accessto information MH KAVEH

Advantages of e-learning • Self-pacing • Users learn at their own pace;Learner can control What to learn, When, Where, and How. • It reduces stress and increases satisfaction. • You can revise a topic as many times, fast or slow, as you like, until you understand it. MH KAVEH

Advantages of e-Learning • On-demand availability • Enables students to complete training conveniently at off-hours or from home. • Interactivity • engages users, pushing them rather than pulling them through training. MH KAVEH

Advantages of e-Learning • E-learning encourages students to take personal responsibilityfor their own learning. • Empower students to be accountablefor their own study • Helps students develop skills for self-directed learning. MH KAVEH

Advantages of e-Learning • Training occurs in small parcels; a programmed instruction approach • When learners succeed, it buildsself-knowledge and self-confidencein them. • Developing skills and confidence in handling difficult tasks and problem solving MH KAVEH

Advantages of e-Learning • Flexibility • E-learning has the advantage of taking class anytime anywhere. • E-learning delivers teaching material and learning activities in a flexible format. • Potential to develop tailored personalisedlearning resources (the adaptive curriculum). MH KAVEH

Advantages of e-Learning • E-learning offers individualized instruction, which print media cannot provide, and instructor-led courses allow clumsily and at great cost. • In conjunction with assessing needs, e-learning can target specific needs. • Information can be displayed on a need to know basis. MH KAVEH

Advantages of e-Learning • Proof of completion and certification, essential elements of training initiatives, can be automated. • By E-learning measurable assessments can be created • Users get certificate for their learning, not for their attendance in the training session MH KAVEH

Advantages of e-Learning • Collaboration and teamwork • Making Learning Communities; • Efficiency gains through shared endeavour MH KAVEH

Advantages of e-Learning • It accommodates different types of learning styles. • By using learning style tests, e-learning can locate and target individual learning preferences. MH KAVEH

Advantages of e-Learning • More efficient training of a globally dispersed audience, by e-learning. MH KAVEH

Disadvantages • Technology issues of the learners • Technophobia • Unavailability of required technologies. • Limited access to a computer as well as the Internet. • Required computer skills especially for beginners; MH KAVEH

Disadvantages • For beginners, it has been reported that confronting computer technology was more stressful and consumed more timeat the beginning of a course. MH KAVEH

Disadvantages • Feeling isolated and missing social contact • Feeling that they communicate largely with a machinerather than other human beings • Possible inadequate opportunity to discuss and interact with teachers MH KAVEH

Disadvantages • Portabilityof training has become a strength of e-learning, but still does not rival that of printed workbooks or reference material. MH KAVEH

E-Learning: Advantages & Disadvantages