E-learning is attributed to a learning system that we can acquire through the Internet using an electronic device. E-learning is also interchangeably known as online learning or online education. Online learning is training presented via a computer or other forms of digital devices, permitting technology to facilitate learning anywhere, anytime, and providing them with an opportunity to earn an online certification course. Online Learning provides a treasured opportunity to acquire a decent education to students and professionals through an e-learning online course.
Various Types of E-learning
Educational scientists have classified E-learning into two types:-
- Computer-based e-learning- This consists of prerecorded videos without interactive elements.
- Internet-based e-learning- This is a virtual based e-learning system which consists of interactive elements like, chat, Webinars and web-based learning mainly used for corporate training purposes,
5 Major Ways in Which E-Learning is Transforming Education
- Increase in Entrepreneurship
The multitude of IT related platforms are instrumental in generating massive entrepreneurship opportunities, Educational startups have grown on a massive scale with constantly improved versions of e-learning modules to meet the demand of the ever-changing course needs of the students. In a way, E-learning is affecting the macrostructure of the country’s economy by creating capable innovators who have earned highly skilled educational credentials through online certification courses. These innovators, in turn, nurture future generations to achieve the same competency levels.
- Enhancing Access to Education
Advanced courses like Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence are still inaccessible to students in mainly rural and semi-urban cities of India. This is due to the lack of quality educational institutions, professors and teachers. With the help of the e-learning approach, access to quality educators is made easy.
- Imparting Quality Education to Students
The admission seats are limited in a handful of premier colleges in India in the arena of higher education. The dismal student to teacher ratio is adversely affecting the quality of learning of the students. E-learning facilities assist students to get customized tools from educators and professors, thus fulfilling the complete learning potential of the student.
- Affordability of Education is Guaranteed
Educational institutions mainly which impart higher education are charging astronomical amounts of tuition fees. The majority of households do not possess the financial means and get left out of the quality learning ecosystem. E-learning will drastically reduce the costs of quality higher education for the majority of the lower and middle socioeconomic groups.
- Demand-Supply Gap between Skilled workforce and Corporate Expectations
The demand-supply gap of both students and corporate professionals is being effectively addressed by E-learning platforms. The synergy between the corporate organizations and EdTech companies is shaping both students and working professions to be ready to join the work-force in a matter of months. Corporate organizations are recognizing that the skillsets of employees trained through e-learning online courses are in alignment with what they expect from a model employee of their organization.
Final Thoughts
It is a well-known fact that visual elements provided by E-learning result in enhanced memory retention and the considerable increase in attention spans of learners which are significant predictors of their future cognitive abilities. The positive outcomes of E-learning thus further the cause of transforming the country into a knowledge-driven economy.