E-learning is a growing trend among corporations and organizations. This method allows learners to learn at their own pace and advance at a faster rate than traditional courses. Learners benefit from an individualized approach that allows them to skip over some material and move on to more important issues. Moreover, e-learning eliminates the problems of different instructors teaching the same material. The most common problems of traditional courses include inconsistency in content and delivery method.
Cost-effectiveness
The costs associated with travel, textbooks, childcare, and other expenses for attending a classroom-based class can be reduced by using e-learning. For many organizations, E-Learning is an excellent substitute for classroom-based training. Despite the high initial costs, E-Learning has numerous benefits. The following are some of the most notable benefits. They all contribute to the overall cost effectiveness of e-learning. And they are all beneficial for the environment!
One of the biggest benefits of e-learning is the cost-effectiveness of a course compared to face-to-face training. However, the costs of e-learning may vary depending on the type of course. Non-in-house training may involve staff travel expenses, whereas e-learning courses may require the purchase of user licenses. For e-learning to be cost-effective, it must be developed by a professional.
Convenience
While teachers rated e-learning as moderately convenient, learners considered it to be highly convenient. In addition, students and educators rated E-learning as moderately effective. However, both found that conventional classroom teaching is more effective. Educators, on the other hand, felt that E-learning was more effective than conventional classroom teaching. For this reason, e-learning continues to grow as a popular option for distance learning.
The flexibility of e-learning is another advantage. Since it is offered online, you can learn whenever and wherever you choose. Unlike traditional in-person education, you can adjust the course schedule to fit your lifestyle. You can also choose the time and date you study. The convenience of learning from home also allows you to study even if you are juggling a busy schedule. In addition, e-learning can be done from a mobile device such as a tablet or a computer. All you need is a reliable Wi-Fi connection, and you’re good to go.
Flexibility
Flexibility in e-learning is a key benefit, as it gives students more control over their time. It also helps them know their own capacity for absorbing information. In contrast, in traditional classrooms, the teacher’s speed can slam students into understanding a subject before they are ready. In addition, flexible learning allows students to set their own deadlines for completion of a course. Consequently, students can speed up the learning process as necessary.
Open universities are known for their flexibility in e-learning design. This is a key selling point of open universities, but this characteristic also presents a number of risks. In addition to requiring more self-regulation, more flexibility in e-learning can also lead to higher levels of engagement and dropout rates. To better understand the risks and benefits of flexibility in e-learning, a case study was conducted among 18 full-time professors. The interviews were conducted using qualitative content analysis.
Interactivity
A moderate level of e-learning interactivity provides greater control over the course. Learning activities can include complex animation, drag-and-drop actions, and customized audio. These types of activities are especially beneficial for promoting knowledge transfer and addressing real-world problems. Moreover, they include informative feedback and practical applications of knowledge. In addition, they may also involve interactive elements such as simulations and stories. But, the level of interactivity should be appropriate for the intended audience and the intended learning objectives.
The basic level of e-learning interactivity involves the use of basic interactive elements in the course. Examples of interactive elements include animations, clickable tabs, drag-and-drop activities, MCQs, and multimedia content. Learners can engage more with limited interactivity while still retaining more information. On the other hand, moderate levels of e-learning interactivity include interactive audio, simulations, and customized content.