E- learning : is it the perfect alternative for classroom learning?

INTRODUCTION:

The education system in India has gone through an enormous and drastic change. In the early stages a system of Gurukul. The guru-shishya tradition is a sacred relation which is the main goal of developing the gurukul. Then came into existence conventional schooling, where teachers deliver lectures to more than 40-50 students with a linear method. With the advent of technology and advanced electronic services e-school or electronic school was introduced.

E-LEARNING:

A learning system based on formalised teaching but with the help of electronic resources is known as E-learning. While teaching can be based in or out of the classrooms, the use of computers and the Internet forms the major component of E-learning. E-learning can also be termed as a network enabled transfer of skills and knowledge, and the delivery of education is made to a large number of recipients at the same or different times.

E-learning is an interactive and user-friendly method of providing education with use of electronic media and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) . Students feel free to ask anytime and also have the advantage of reviewing the lectures by recording them.Studies show that productivity and concentration of students increased by 43% when they are referring to the internet for learning.

Real time situations:

The COVID-19 has resulted in schools shut all across the world. As a result, globally, over 1.2 billion children in 186 countries are out of the physical classroom.

Today, education has changed dramatically with the rise of e-learning where teaching is undertaken remotely and on digital platforms like Zoom, Google Meet etc.

Many online learning platforms like BYJU’S and Vedantu (for primary education) and Coursera and Udacity (for higher education) are offering free access to their services for a limited time.

BENEFITS OF E-LEARNING OVER CLASSROOM LEARNING:

• Anytime Anywhere Learning Convenience: Students and Learners who attend online learning can take up the class from anywhere and anytime (if permitted) as per their convenience. This opens up learning opportunities to working professionals and other segments of society.
• Economical: Online learning costs less as more students can attend at the same time. Learners also save a lot of time and money in travel.
• Wide Reach: Online learning can be accessed with the help of a computer/ laptop and an internet connection. In a country like India, community internet services can make sure that top quality Online Learning reaches every small town and village.
• Effective learning outcomes: Research shows that learning online can be as effective and sometimes more effective in a number of ways. Some research shows that on average, students retain 25-60% more material when learning online compared to only 8-10% in a classroom. This is because students are able to learn faster online as students can learn at their own pace, going back and re-reading, skipping, or accelerating through concepts as they like.
• On the spot Assessment: Online Learning uses online quizzes and other tools to evaluate the students. Both Teacher and Students can get personalized assessment and feedback on learning on a real time basis! This is a powerful advantage of online learning.

DISADVANTAGES OF E-LEARNING:

There are some disadvantages of e-learning.

• Lack of face to face interaction- A key disadvantage of online learning is the lack of face to face interaction. If courses are taught purely online, there is less possibility of building a good relationship with the teacher and classmates. This has a negative impact on team-building and social-skills.
• Demands higher motivation from learners: Online learning requires a higher intensity of self direction and motivation from learners and there is limited social/peer pressure or support. So students and learners who are more disciplined and focussed on their learning requirements will get good results, but not all.
• Limited access to internet & devices in lower income households & rural areas:

70% of India lives in Villages and majority of our population falls below middle class. Online Education creates a ‘Digital Divide’ where rich have access to all and poor are deprived of learning.

• Low teaching support:

Although there are frequent interactions between the student and the instructor, the students may face the issue of two way communication or face to face interaction. A lack of communication can lead to low motivation among some students who are struggling with learning and need the help most.

• Health Issues: Online learning requires the use of computers or other screens for many hours. It can cause eye-strain, back-ache and several other health effects on the learner. Since Online learning lacks human touch, there can be issues of depression and mental health.

Personal experience:

All the above stated facts are general and well known. I completed my entire schooling of fourteen years through conventional classroom learning. Due to the sudden pandemic, my college classes started online and still continue to be done the same. I noticed a major difference in not only the way classes were being handled online but also the difference it made in me. As a student when I went to school everyday, there was a sense of discipline in me. The bus would be at the apartment gate at 7.30 am and I would eventually wake up at 6 am. I was motivated to go to school because of so many reasons: the extra curricular activities, seeing my friends, eating at the cafeteria and especially PT period. However when I started e-learning, I felt the loss of determination and motivation in myself. I couldn't meet my friends, there weren't many activities other than written assignments and classes, I had to sit in front of a device the entire day. Another aspect that bothered me is that in school we used to have various occasions and also celebrate festivals together, but in e-learning it takes place as a seminar or program online. Learning and studying is not as interesting and fun as it was in the classrooms at school. The sense of competition among us classmates has faded as well.

CONCLUSION:

E-learning has various benefits when compared to conventional classroom learning. Nevertheless, it has its own drawbacks too. I personally feel that e-learning is not the right alternative for classroom learning, instead it may assist classroom learning.