Reasons Why e-Learning is More Popular than Traditional
Education (https://www.trendmut.com/e-learning-vstraditional-learning/)
December 20, 2019 Sadia Khan 0 Comments
The process of learning in which we use electronic media like the internet is known as e-learning. On the
other hand, the learning which is based on paper-based assignments and exams is known as traditional
learning. There are lots of disadvantages of traditional education like students have to depend upon
their teachers for feedback, there is a possibility that teachers may show favoritism, lack of
concentration and traditional education is also costly for the students. Here, we will provide reasons
why E-Learning is better than traditional learning for the students.
E-Learning VS Traditional Learning
Better Communication among the Students:
It is a fact that communication among the students is one of the most important ways to learn quickly
and effectively. In traditional education, the teacher is all in all and students get rare chances of
communication with each other. On the other hand, E-Learning programs are providing the best
opportunities for students to communicate with each other. Students can easily communicate with each
other via lots of online resources. MOOCs courses are providing the best opportunities for international
students to communicate with each other from all around the world.
E-Learning Is More Engaging Than Traditional Learning:
A research was conducted by a dissertation writing service in the UK. In this research, they have divided
the students into two groups. The first group of students was taught by adopting traditional learning
techniques and the second group of students was taught by adopting online learning techniques. The
most interesting thing was that the tutors of these two learning groups were the same. After that, they
have concluded that E-Learning students are able to show better performance than traditional learning
students. Its reason is that E-Learning enhances the engagement level of the students in their education.
Faster and Frequent Feedback:
In order to enhance learning, it is also necessary for us to improve teacher-student interaction. By
enhancing teacher-student interaction, it is possible for us to provide faster and frequent feedback to
the students. In the traditional education system, we are not able to enhance the teacher-student
interaction. On the other hand, in the E-Learning programs, students are finding lots of ways to interact
with their teachers. As a result, they are able to get faster and frequent feedback from their teachers.
A Cheaper and Better Way to Earn a Degree:
The major difference between online learning programs and traditional programs is their costs. If you
want to earn a degree from a traditional institute, you will have to attend regular classes and you will
have to bear extra expenditures of boarding, transportation expenditures and tuition fees. On the other
hand, if you are going to get a degree by getting admission in any E-Learning program, you will be able
to save these extra expenditures. Therefore, we can say that E-Learning programs are better and
cheaper ways to earn degrees.
You Have More Control Over Your Schedule:
If you are getting an education from the traditional institutes, you will have to strictly follow a specific
schedule of the traditional institute. It means that you are restricted to take lectures by following the
specific timetable. If you are not able to take any lecture due to any reason, this lecture will not be
repeated for you. On the other hand, in the E-Learning programs, there are recorded lectures and you
can easily take these lectures when you want. It means that you have full control over your schedule.
You will Have to Take Less Student Loan Debt:
To bear the expenses of a degree program is a real challenge for the students. Due to the higher costs of
traditional institutes, most of the students are not able to bear these expenses and they have to take
student loan debt. On the other hand, if you are getting an online degree, you will have to bear fewer
expenses. As a result, the students have to take less student loan debt. Due to the flexible schedule of
online programs, students can also do a part-time job. As a result, there is a possibility that they will not
have to take student loan debt.
Good Preparation for a Changing Workforce:
As we know that this is an era of technology and all the organizations are using technology in order to
flourish their business. As a result, workforce readiness is also achieved and these organizations require
such a workforce who has the ability to perform these tasks easily. Online programs are also providing
the best opportunities for the students to prepare themselves for this changing workforce.
WHY SCHOOLS SHOULD INVEST IN ICT (https://www.ictesolutions.com.au/blog/why-schools-shouldinvest-in-ict/)
The world we live in is a result of constant change. What might be there one day is never there the next.
Look at what has happened with Covid-19!
The changes that we have all born witness represent a significant period in our lives. For myself, these
changes have been technological in their nature. With most of the world in lockdown, due to the
pandemic, people are working from home if they can, students are learning from home in an online
format, and parents are picking up the slack from teachers and supporting their children.
This unprecedented event has changed the world and has brought it into a new era - the time of online
learning for all people.
Before we delve into why ICT in education so important today, let us first understand the fundamentals
of what ICT is.
What is ICT?
It was not until later on in my teaching career that the term Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) materialized before me and opened my eyes to what this meant in education. The term
ICT simplified means any technology that has to do with information and communication.
Information can come in many forms such as sound, video, text, and images, so when you think of what
technology it is available that produces these aspects of information and sometimes a combination of all
these, we refer to such technology as mobile phones, digital cameras, video cameras for example.
Today information and communication technologies are the one thing and so the repertoire of
technologies expands further to encompass computers and computer-related products, email, MMS,
and other forms of communication (Finger et al., 2007).
The Importance of ICT in Education
Today we do not need to go any further than our own home or even room, to see some form of ICT
in our lives. Whether it be a computer, plasma TV, or mobile phone, we all have them in some part
of our lives. In today’s society, people as consumers of ICT, all strive for the one dream – the dream
of a connected life.
This makes ICT a lifestyle choice for much of the population. In addition, this lifestyle choice is
changing the way we communicate, increasing the rate of consumerism, and changing how we
interact and gather information (Sherringham, Dec 2008/Jan 2009).
ICT has invaded and transformed many aspects of our lives to the extent that we live in an
environment that is dominated by technology which itself is consumer-driven (Semenov, 2005). No
matter how we perceive its presence, there is no denying that it is an important part of our lives and
that it is here to stay.
Key issues to remember in relation to the importance of ICT in
Education are that:
1. E-learning or Online Learning: The presence of ICT in education allows for new ways of
learning for students and teachers. E-learning or online learning is becoming increasingly
popular and with various unprecedented events taking place in our lives, this does not only
open opportunities for schools to ensure that students have access to curriculum materials
whilst in the classroom but also allows them to ensure students outside the classroom such
as at home or even in hospitals can learn.
2. ICT brings inclusion: The benefits of ICT in education is of such that students in the
classroom can all learn from the curriculum material. Students with special needs are no
longer at a disadvantage as they have access to essential material and special ICT tools can
be used by students to make use of ICT for their own educational needs. Despite this, it
opens up new issues related to the 'digital divide' and providing access to ICT tools and
resources for those who are less fortunate.
3. ICT promotes higher-order thinking skills: One of the key skills for the 21st century which
includes evaluating, planning, monitoring, and reflecting to name a few. The effective use of
ICT in education demands skills such as explaining and justifying the use of ICT in producing
solutions to problems. Students need to discuss, test, and conjecture the various strategies
that they will use.
4. ICT enhances subject learning: It is well known these days that the use of ICT in education
adds a lot of value to key learning areas like literacy and numeracy.
5. ICT use develops ICT literacy and ICT Capability: Both are 21st-century skills that are
best developed whilst ICT remains transparent in the background of subject learning. The
best way to develop ICT capability is to provide them with meaningful activities, embedded in
purposeful subject-related contexts.
6. ICT use encourages collaboration: You just have to put a laptop, iPad or computer in the
classroom to understand how this works. ICT naturally brings children together where they
can talk and discuss what they are doing for their work and this in turn, opens up avenues for
communication thus leading to language development.
7. ICT use motivates learning: Society's demands for new technology has not left out children
and their needs. Children are fascinated with technology and it encourages and motivates
them to learn in the classroom.
8. ICT in education improves engagement and knowledge retention: When ICT is
integrated into lessons, students become more engaged in their work. This is because
technology provides different opportunities to make it more fun and enjoyable in terms of
teaching the same things in different ways. As a consequence of this increased engagement,
it is said that they will be able to retain knowledge more effectively and efficiently.
9. ICT use allows for effective Differentiation Instruction with technology: We all learn
differently at different rates and styles and technology provide opportunities for this to occur.
10. ICT integration is a key part of the national curriculum: The integration of digital
technologies or ICT is a significant part of the Australian Curriculum for example, and this is
a trend that many global governments are taking up as they begin to see the significance of
ICT in education.
11. We live in a “knowledge economy": This is an economy where it is vital to have the ability
to produce and use information effectively (Weert, 2005). It is a time when ICT is pervasive
and permeates throughout all industries in the economy whether it may be health, education,
environment or manufacturing (Moon, Feb/Mar 2007). The significance of ICT in the
Australian economy was emphasised in the recent article by Alan Patterson, CEO of the
Australian Computer Society, in his statement that the “ICT industry now rivals mining in
terms of the contribution to the economy” (Patterson, Jan/Feb 2013, p. 8).
ICTs will continue to be a significant part of our future as it connects itself to more and more parts of
our lives. It will continually evolve and change because as consumers we all like a choice. We like to
use ICT for personal growth, creativity, and joy, consumption, and wealth (Semenov, 2005).
Importance of Students Engaging with ICT
It is important for students to engage with ICT so that:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Learn 21st-century skills and develop their ICT capability and ICT literacy.
Improves their attainment levels.
Prepares them for an integrated society dominated by ICT developments.
So that they learn the notion of using ICT as a tool for lifelong learning.
If you put a lot of thought into your planning, you will notice a higher degree of engagement and this
can lead to the development of 21st-century skills such as complex thinking, creative problemsolving, and collaboration.
Technology integration in the classroom is an instructional choice by you, the teacher, and should
always involve collaboration and deliberate planning.
SCRIP