Advantages of e-learning for students – Tutorial

The electronic dissemination of information and knowledge has completely revolutionized the way of learning for students. The orthodox chalk and board technique of teaching somewhat fails to catch up with the rapid pace of emergence of e-learning and technology. E-learning makes it simpler, easier and more effective for students to grasp on ideas and keep up with the new ways of learning. Technology has stirred a dynamic change in the global market, impacting a lot of industrial sectors. With such advancements, it is easy to expect a change in the way we live, work and study. Higher education has undergone massive revamp since the evolution of e-learning.

In today’s day and age, the traditional method of learning proves to be a hinderance for students with its outdated study material and teaching resources. With digital learning, it is possible to update the study material quick and fast and keep up with the new content of the rapidly changing environment. The digital-era presents diverse options and requires constantly updates skillset and hunger for knowledge for students and learners alike. Students can self-pace their education and customize the lessons, making learning more convenient and personalized for themselves.  The modern learners want distinctive content especially designed for themselves at their disposal.

“We need to bring learning to people instead of people to learning.” – Elliot Masie

Let’s talk about the benefits of e-learning and highlight the various tools that makes it the red-hot topic and the absolute need of the hour.

1. E-learning is student-centered

E-learning can be associated with another modern learning method, Student-centered learning (SCL), which aims to put the students in the main focus and revolve the learning around students rather than the teachers. There are at least 10 types of e-learning that primarily revolve around student-centeredness. It promotes student-to-student interaction. To be able to design online programs and study material that fully focus on students is one of the greatest advantages of e-learning.

2. Self-paced Learning

The traditional learning method turns out to be an hinderance with its strict curriculum, and seems inconvenient for students to achieve academic excellence. E-learning gives students the freedom pacing their own schedule. They can create their own schedules amid their busy lifestyles and bring out the maximum academic results without having to adhere to class attending requirements. Online written content, recorded lessons and study materials are easily accessible, replacing the old physical classes. Self-paced learning has also proven to reduce certain amounts of stress and increase student satisfaction. Its reusability and efficiency make it one of the best components of e-learning.

3. E-learning is for everyone

E-learning isn’t just for students and their benefits, but it accumulates everyone. Online learning has revolutionized the accessibility, efficiency and consumption of learning. House-wives and office-goers can also take up lessons and learn their desired ideas at their comfort and availability. Many choose to learn on weekends, utilizing their free time more efficiently. Unlike the traditional learning method, e-learning comes up with diverse range of options and people can choose what they want to learn and the kind of instructors that would be suitable for them. Online learning has opened up various possibilities of learning in a comfortable environment.

4. Access to updated content

One of the biggest advantages of modern learning is its regularly updated content. E-learning synchronizes well with the constant change in the trends and ideas of the modern world and provides access to fresh content to its users. You get the latest study material and the streamlined content that you want.

5. Quick delivery of lessons

As compared to the traditional learning method, e-learning provides quick delivery of lessons. Various studies have shown that the absorption time is reduced by 25 – 60 percent compared to traditional learning. The reasons are listed below:

• A single learning quickly winds up various sessions, which allows to carry out training programs easily.
• Students don’t have to run to catch up with the pace of the whole group, rather they can pace their own learning at their disposal.
• Students don’t need to travel to attend physical classes which saves time.
• Students can specifically learn their own desired content, leaving the rest of the study material aside.

6. Scalability

The field of ongoing education requires updated methods and consistency, whether in the professional arena or academic. E-learning assist in communicating and creating new policies, concepts, ideas and content. May it be formal education or entertainment, e-learning provides scalability and is the preferred way of learning. Gone are the days of giving physical training to each and every employee, with e-learning as a one-time investment, you can roll out your training techniques to as many employees and garner more learners.

7. E-learning is consistent

There is a lot of haywire and disintegration in the dissemination of learning in the traditional teaching techniques. E-learning provides a better provision of coverage to educators, which allows them to be consistent with their target audience in sharing their lessons. This ensures that everyone receives the same training techniques. It also reduces the susceptibility to mistakes from the instructors.

8. Reduced costs

Online learning is cost-effective. E-learning happens quickly and effectively. A lot of training time is reduced with respect to travel, study materials, trainers and accommodation. This also enhances the chances of profitability for institutions and organizations.

9. Effectiveness

The increased flexibility and personalized content in online learning has proven to lead to fruitful and better results, not just to the students or employees, but also to the institutions.

• E-learning comes with illustrations and graphics helping students to grasp ideas better
• Leads to better retention, which helps students achieve better grades
• Allows the employees to implement their newly gained knowledge in the workplace
• Improved scores on tests, certifications and other types of evaluations
• More number of students achieve ‘pass’ or ‘mastery’ level

10. Environment-friendly

The paperless way of learning acts as a shield to the environment. Studies have shown that with e-learning, students consume almost 90 percent less power and generate 85 percent less carbon dioxide compared to traditional campus-based courses. As students don’t need to travel to classes, there is less need to commute which in turn saves energy to provide such facilities. E-learning is the way of modern-learning, and it is here to stay and leave its long-lasting impact.