Online education offers flexible options
Computers have made education and learning absolutely ’anywhere anytime’. Advances in technology have enhanced the online teaching-learning experience. The reach is global without any time lines. This can be defined as - a programme of distance education with classroom concept remaining intact.
The advantages are multiple for both the teacher and the taught - learning/teaching from home, flexible timings, one-to-one interaction, cost effective with assured quality learning.
Educational institutions are increasingly embracing online education, and the number of teachers and students enrolling is growing rapidly. Many schools, colleges and universities globally offer varied and specialised courses to attract students from different continents.
Advantages:
E-learning is for sure a big time saver. Time constraints have become a thing of the past. The student can decide the exact time when he/she wants to interact with his/her teacher. The courses are designed and structured to help quick or slow learners. E-texts and tutorials are available for the asking and can be read online and tests can be taken when one is confident that he has mastered the subject. The pace is set by the student, so the learning process becomes relatively tension free compared to the conventional school/college learning or the distance mode learning, where students do have to attend in person some tutorials and contact classes and the exams are conducted only during selected months by that particular institution.
With the advance in technology students interact with their teachers through videos, teleconference, email or messenger.
Courses such as nursing too are available online. Where needed the institutes offers local area experts for direct interaction and have arrangements with other institutes that can offer practical training locally.
Tutoring too has gone online. Indian teachers are now coaching students in the US and UK in various subjects. There is a huge cost advantage for the parents.
More concentration and seriousness can be practiced through e-learning. Online-learning provides a 1:1 student-teacher ratio, unlike conventional learning, where the student-teacher ratio can be beyond 1:25.
The concept of classroom learning is felt more here and success rate is high. It provides for participative sessions.
Most people to hesitate to enroll in to courses because of their age but e-learning removes this barrier too. Most courses do not have an upper age limit, though the intake age may be prescribed.
The other side:
Questions may arise regarding the quality of teaching. There is doubt regarding the quality of coaching imparted. But this can happen in a conventional classroom too. Reputed online institutes are now tying up with conventional universities for certification of quality. The teaching staff ‘s profiles are on the net for all to see.
The fee part can be sometimes expensive. But institutes with quality certification do offer scholarships and concessions.
The one big drawback would be that you might not know your classmates. Though you have a chance of meeting online it may not be as exciting.
There is a big challenge of retaining the quality of teaching and making students satisfied. This can be enhanced by the commitment of a teacher towards a student.
The advantages do talk in favour of e-learning. One can easily plan for taking up an online course as a student or even become a faculty at an online institute.
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DR. RATNA PUROHIT
faqs@cnkonline.com
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