E-learning

A great tool and a communication medium to exchange knowledge is e-learning. 

I feel it is:

• From Anywhere
• Everywhere
• Everyone
• Economical ( Depends on the approach)
• Exciting

Most importantly Engaging...the list goes on...you can add more to this list :)

There are various places in the world that, people from those areas can not commute regularly to a place where a university/college/school exists, due to several reasons. Apart from commute troubles, economically not viable for some to spend for training. This is the case in traditional elementary/secondary/university education level. In corporate level various training programs are conducted/scheduled every now and then to meet and maintain the trends in a company. It is time consuming for instructor to travel to various divisions/branches for all the training sessions. This calls the need of e learning method.

Advantages of e-learning:

• It enables people to learn from anywhere and in anytime
• The information can be updated within no time
• It allows people to share their knowledge with the world. Unlike in traditional class room method, the learner is not limited to the four walls of his classroom
• He/she can share, discuss their views on the subject globally, and acquire knowledge from various brainstorming sessions virtually, i.e. not stepping out from the location where he is located
• e-learning allows the learner to access various journals/study materials/books from his/her desktop/laptop/tab/mobile
• Learner can select the content/material according to his level of understanding
• It is possible to deliver self paced courses which enable learner to learn in his/her own pace
• Learners will have choice to skip some content which they already mastered and learn new skills and develop their knowledge
• One can bring forth the science/geography laboratories to learners
• One can develop learner-centric course

Limitations of e-learning:

• Major limitation is that it is technology enabled. It requires electricity, tv/computer or an electronic device
• There is a zero personal interaction of learner and teacher, learner and learner which may make the learner feel isolated. Though, the virtual form of communication is available, social gathering and communication is missing
• Basic computer skills are required if it is a WBT or CBT
• Unless self motivated, not all learners will be successful in a e-learning course
• The flexibility that e-learning provides may be a limitation if one cannot manage her/his time well

A specific context where I feel e learning should be introduced:

These days the world is calling everyone for environmental education. In our country many states are implementing school/college level environmental education classes and making sure that the learners gain knowledge on the subject by conducting tests. I feel the subject is more or less the same world wide. The concepts and measures to take up are more over similar everywhere.

I feel this is the area where one should implement elearning technology. We can develop a curriculum according to the level ( school/college grades) and allow the various institutions to access it using various technologies. With the e-learning option the schools/colleges need not to have a specified textbooks/materials prepared. Learners can be given access to the LMS and teachers can monitor them regularly. School/institutions need not to spare extra hours for this course in their schedules. Learners can be presented and introduced to various examples how the green concepts are implemented in other parts of the world.

The same e-course can be distributed in rural and urban areas to educate people to maintain an Eco friendly life style and be a green champion.