ONLINE EDUCATION
One of the prominent traces left behind by colonialism which continues to linger in our present
times is education. Education since the inception of independence has seen massive
improvements, however, our method of tuition in most educational institutions is the traditional
method. This involves face-to-face interactions between teachers and students. This method was
adopted in order to manage the rise in population growth which led to the proportional increase
in the number of students who enter the various levels of education. This method however has
not lived up to expectations with regards to the inculcating values such as high level of thinking
and the ability to solve cases proactively in students which has led to various criticisms levelled
against it. Appanna (2008, p.6): “Traditional or face-to-face institutional environments have been
criticized for encouraging passive learning, ignoring individual differences and the needs of the
learners, and not paying attention to problem solving, critical thinking, or other higher order
thinking”. This and many more criticisms have necessitated the adoption of online learning
which is a medium for disseminating information via the internet. (Hill,1997; Webster & Hackey
1997) argued that online tuition boosts sharing of information and values and creates equal
opportunities for all kinds of students at far locations. This demonstrates that online system is a
more efficient medium of teaching and learning. Online learning system has both advantages and
disadvantages which needs to be discussed in order to throw more light and find lasting solutions
to its disadvantages. Online learning allows self-pacing, it is cost effective and compensates
scarcity of academic staff. However, it causes social isolation and limits student feedback. This
can be resolved by promoting increased interaction between online students and encouraging
strong self-motivation and time management skills among students.
Online learning allows self-pacing. The use of online systems as a medium of tuition
enables students to study at their own pace. This is because the exchange of information between
the teacher and the student does not necessarily require both parties to be present. Therefore,
students can access learning materials and information on the internet at any time and study them
at their own speed whether slow or quick. This system heightens satisfaction and reduces stress.
(Codone 2001; Amer, 2007; Urdan and Weggen, 2000; Algatani 2011; Marc 2002; Klein and
Ware, 2003).
E-learning is cost effective. It creates the opportunity for students to study regardless of
wherever they may be. This implies that as long as there is internet connectivity, e-learning is not
geographically and time-bounded. It also allows the tuition of students on one platform leading
to a reduction in the need for many buildings. Therefore, e-learning is economical in terms of
movement and expenditure made on buildings.
Online learning compensates scarcity of academic staff. In these times where academic
resource personnel are more or less scanty, e-learning makes it possible for a smaller number of
teachers to teach a wide range of students using the same number of teaching hours or less. This
even helps the students interact with the teachers as well as themselves which eliminates barriers
preventing them from talking to their tutors or other learners. E-learning eases communication
and also improves the relationships that sustain learning.
However, e-learning causes social isolation. The approaches used in online educations
makes students go through contemplation, remoteness and lack of interaction. Students and
teachers who stay online for longer hours do not get the chance to interact with other people
which makes them experience symptoms of social isolation which further leads to anxiety, stress
and bad thoughts.
E-learning poses a limitation on student feedback. Students do not receive face-to-face
feedbacks on assignments done which is possible in traditional classroom setting. Students
facing issues with their academic performance are not able to solve them satisfactorily due to the
absence of dedicated office hours present in the traditional method. These problems will remain
until education provides fund alternative measures to curb them.
Building strong self-motivation and disciplinary skills is key to succeeding in an online
learning environment. Also, face-to-face communication can be replaced with online
communication ang group activities should be encouraged between students as evident in
traditional classrooms.
In conclusion, online learning has come to stay coupled with the fact that we are a
technological era. It has brough lasting solutions to the problem of scarcity of education
providers, allowed students to study at their own pace and is relatively less expensive to run.
With a few drawbacks including self-isolation and limited student feedback, which are being
outweighed by its numerous advantages as well as possible solutions, it can be stated without a
doubt that online learning is a more potential medium for facilitating education.
References
Akorful, V., Abaidoo, N., (2015). “The Role of E-learning, the Advantages and Disadvantages of
its Adaption in Higher Education”, International Journal of Instructional Technology and
Distance Learning, 12 (1), 29-42.
Appanna, (2008). “A Review of Benefits and Limitations of Online Learning in the Context of
the Student, the Instructor and the Tenured Faculty”, International Journal on Elearning, 7.
Sadeghi, M. (2019). “A Shift from Classroom to Distance Learning: Advantages and
Limitations”, International Journal of Research in English Education, 4 (1), 80-88.
Tamm (2019, December, 21). “Disadvantages of E-learning”, E-Student Newsletter, Retrieved
on June 8, 2020.