E-learning is a kind of educational technology that helps us deliver educational content through the internet without making students sit in a physical classroom. It encompasses downloadable e-books, audio content, video content, and structured courses with assignments and assessments. E-learning (e-education or distance learning) refers to the delivery of educational services online using web/ mobile applications and internet access.

With the increasing need for mobility in today’s world, it is very important to get everything digitalized. Following the same, you can say the books have been converted into digital books which, you can read on your mobile phones, tablets, or computers.

The growing e-learning market size proves modern knowledge chasers prefer an online format to study when and where they want:

the most important attribute of E-learning is that it allows trainees to learn at any time of their own choice. There is no need to sit in boring classroom sessions where a trainer is allotted for only a specified amount of time. Below are some other attributes of E-learning that are reviewed with respect to a standard classroom training session:

Reduction in cost of training – For classroom training sessions, it is required that you have a separate training room allocated for the purpose and designated trainers for one or more than one training module. The extra real estate and additional trainers on your payroll are not very cost-effective. You must pay recurring salaries and spend on the maintenance of training room infrastructure. On the contrary, an e-learning service provider can develop training content for you that can be used for training multiple batches. If the technology or concept changes, it is possible to alter the content accordingly.

More immersive – When the training content is voluminous, classroom training sessions can turn into a boring chore for the trainees. Such sessions may not be effective at all and all the efforts may go to waste. But, with eLearning, it is possible to use gamification tech along with Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. As VR and AR use audio/video medium, the information is received via different human senses, which leads to better retention of information.

Better evaluation of trainees – The eLearning content can be devised in such a way that at every juncture the employees are asked certain questions to evaluate their progress. The questions can be descriptive or multiple choices, depending on the requirement of the company. Constant evaluation of employees allows managers to check their progress and plan re-trainings or other corrective sessions to ensure that trainee progress is always up to the expected levels.

Advantage –

1. Online Learning Accommodates Everyone’s Needs

The online method of learning is best suited for everyone. This digital revolution has led to remarkable changes in how the content is accessed, consumed, discussed, and shared. Online educational courses can be taken up by office goers and housewives too, at the time that suits them. Depending on their availability and comfort, many people choose to learn at weekends or evenings.

2. Lectures Can Be Taken Any Number Of Times

Unlike classroom teaching, with online learning, you can access the content an unlimited number of times. This is especially required at the time of revision when preparing for an exam. In the traditional form of learning, if you can not attend the lecture, then you have to prepare for that topic on your own; in eLearning, you can attend the lectures whenever you want with ease.

3. Offers Access To Updated Content

A prime benefit of learning online is that it makes sure that you are in synchronization with modern learners. This enables the learner to access updated content whenever they want it.

4. Quick Delivery of Lessons

eLearning is a way to provide quick delivery of lessons. As compared to the traditional classroom teaching method, this mode has relatively quick delivery cycles. This indicates that the time required to learn is reduced to 25%-60% of what is required in traditional learning. There are some of the reasons why the learning time is reduced by eLearning:

Lessons start quickly and wrapped up in a single learning session. This enables training programs to easily roll out within a few weeks, or sometimes even days. Learners can define their own speed of learning instead of following the speed of the whole group. Saves time as a student does not need to travel to the training venue. You can learn at the comfort of your own place. Students can choose to study specific and relevant areas of the learning material without focusing on each area. For example, they can skip certain areas they do not want to learn.

5. Scalability

eLearning helps in creating and communicating new training, policies, concepts, and ideas. Whether it is for formal education or entertainment, eLearning is very quick way of learning!

6. Consistency

eLearning enables educators to get a higher degree of coverage to communicate the message in a consistent way for their target audience. This ensures that all learners receive the same type of training with this learning mode.

7. Reduced Costs

eLearning is cost-effective as compared to traditional forms of learning. The reason for this price reduction is because learning through this mode happens quickly and easily. A lot of training time is reduced with respect to trainers, travel, course materials, and accommodation.

This cost-effectiveness also helps in enhancing the profitability of an organization. Also, when you are studying at your own place, you are relieved from paying for travel expenses (e.g. accommodation) when training happens in another city/state and/or external learning materials.

8. Effectiveness

eLearning has a positive influence on an organization’s profitability. It makes it easy to grasp the content and digest it: It results in improved scores on certifications, tests, or other types of evaluation. The higher number of students who achieve the ‘pass’ or mastery’ level. Enhanced ability to learn and implement the new processes or knowledge at the workplace. Help in retaining information for a longer time.

9. Less Impact on Environment

As eLearning is a paperless way of learning, it protects the environment to a lot of extents. As per a study done on eLearning courses, it has been found that distance-based learning programs consumed around 90% less power and generated 85% less amount of CO2 emissions as compared to traditional campus-based educational courses. With eLearning, there is no need to cut trees for obtaining a paper. Thus, eLearning is a highly eco-friendly way of learning.

Disadvantages:

1.             Technology dependent:

The delivery of eLearning courses depends on technology. Inadequacy of required infrastructure such as computers, high internet bandwidth, and also lack of relevant technical skills in learners would greatly hamper the success of an eLearning course.

2.    Lack of motivation:

Learners may not be motivated to take a course since they are in isolation and have flexibility. It requires a high level of self-discipline and self-motivation from learners.

3.    Lack of help/training support:

due to the absence of an instructor who can solve learners’ queries, explain in detail topics that are not understood, analyze learners' performance and provide detailed feedback

4.    Lack of human touch:

since there is no direct interaction with the instructor or fellow learners during the learning process.

5.    Inflexible:

It is not possible to alter the course in real-time based on learners’ reactions and comfort

6.    Start-up cost:

involved in designing, developing, and deploying a course.

Technologies and science growing and changing so fast, we just can’t afford to spend 5 years in college learning methods that will no longer be up to date or even relevant once we are out. We need to invest in shorter continuous education programs, mainly powered through E-learning. It also empowers kids and adults to take control and accountability for their education level. Training on the go accommodates a lot of people and in-class training will always limit the accessibility to expertise and knowledge.