VIRTUAL LEARNING – PROS AND CONS

E-learning is a Computer Based educational tool or system that enables you to learn anywhere at any time.  The terms virtual learning refer to the delivery of education and training through digital resources.

However, technology has advanced so much that the geography gap is bridged—the use of tools makes you feel as if you are inside the classroom. 

WHAT’S IN IT

DIGITAL EDUCATION

Digital education considers theories of learning that underpin the design of curricula to support the effective utilization of digital technologies while empowering the learner.

Therefore Exploring the use of digital technologies allows educators to design engaging learning opportunities in the form of face-to-face to create engaging learning opportunities in the way of face-to-face, blended, or fully online courses. 

The advantages of the Virtual learning approach can include a more engaging face to face learning experience access to the educational content at a time or location that is convenient to the learner and the option of a more personalized learning experience. Digital education utilizes learning techniques and technologies to create new types of curriculum.

Provide well-integrated combinations of digital and conventional modes of learning. Enable more interaction between learners and educators, both inside and outside of the classroom.

It also gives the ability to assess students in different ways and improve their engagement with quicker, more relevant, and more contextualized feedback. 

Therefore e-learning could be the use of information and Communication Technology to enhance and support learning. This could range from teachers in students using email for communication to online courses.

Whatever may be the definition of e-learning or virtual learning, it is currently changing the way schools and colleges teach, and students learn. 

CHARACTERISTICS OF E-LEARNING

• E-learning is a Learner Centric Learning: The learner-centric new model makes an array of resources available to the learner, who is free to choose when to learn, where to learn, and how to learn.
• Secondly E-learning for lifelong learning: with increasing access to technology, its ever-increasing sophisticated approach facilitates lifelong learning among various stakeholders.
• E-learning is flexible learning- E-learning historically is linking with distance education in flexible learning. In distance education, the use of various technologies to connect learners, Instructors, and resources are not there in time or space.
• Personalize E-learning: Usually, e-learning also depends on establishing two-way communication between teachers and learners and among learners themselves.

There are many tools as well as learner management systems integrate with tools to foster interactive and collaborative engagement.

• Personalize E-learning: usually, the e-learning system formats its users to personalize the learning by tailoring its offerings to their learning style, job requirements, career goals, Current Knowledge, and personal preferences.
• E-learning is social: Learning seeks to foster collaboration and peer interaction.

Various e-learning Technologies facilitate multiple types of collaboration among leaders and teachers.                                                                  

E-learning involves learning objects: e-learning uses reusable learning objects. The RLO formats 12 create Virtual learning courses with ease.

ADVANTAGES OF VIRTUAL LEARNING

Flexible: in a regular kind of learning, the student may have a fixed routine in which they have to sit together and learn from the instructor. Set the duration of the class.

Fixing and dicussing The topics in the class. But this is not the case in e-learning. The routine of virtual learning is very flexible.

The students can learn what they want when they want and whatever they want. It is up to them what they want to study and for how much time they have to study.

Anytime access to the resources: students meet access to different kinds of resources. So, These resources can be notes, theories, diagrams, etc. 

E-learning the resources are available to the students at all times of the day. So the students can use them anytime and anywhere they want.

Immediate result or feedback: In this case of regular learning, the test taken by paper and pen. The teachers then check these papers. And then the results are declared.

This takes a lot of time and hard work. The students have to wait a lot for the results, which become very stressful for them. It Is not easy for the teacher also to check these papers. Virtual Learning gives an advantage here.

The tests are taken through online quizzes, excellent free design software that first conducts the analysis, and checks them. This reduces the work of the teacher.

Also, the result is out in a short while; in some cases, it is obtained just after the test finishes.

MORE RETENTION

In the case of regular learning, it is done using a conversation between the instructor and the students. The use of Smart technology is very less in regular teaching methods.  

But in the case of e-learning, there is a generous use of digital resources that included presentations, multimedia that included images and videos, etc.

With the use of such resources, the students get to learn more. 

They understand better the things which they see rather than read.

So it increases the understanding and retention ability of the students.

COST EFFECTIVE

The main student is engaged in regular learning; they have to go to the institute regularly. 

They need transportation costs. The teachers teaching the student get a salary from the institutes. This adds to the price. The Maintenance cost of the institute also adds up.

On the other hand, in the case of e-learning, there is no rent involved. The students can have access to resources from anywhere they are, so there is no transportation cost.

Many such factors which increase the cost of education are chopped off in virtual learning. Therefore, e-learning is more cost-effective.

GREENER APPROACH

The conventional learning method uses pen and paper. Even the tests are conducted on the pen-paper medium. These papers Are made by chopping down trees. Moreover, pencils are also made of wood.

But in E-learning, everything is digital. There is no need for paper and pens. Everything is noted using electronic devices.

Students do not have to go to the schools, so there is no need for transportation. This shows that Virtual-learning follows a greener approach.

FAST LEARNING

In regular learning, the speed of learning depends on the number of staff available and the number of classrooms available and the limited period of a class. But in the case of e-learning, the speed depends on the needs of the student.

EASY COLLABORATION

When several students work together on the same topic, they face problems while they study together using the usual learning methods.

Virtual learning gives them an excellent opportunity. 

They connect at any time and anywhere. They can share resources, discuss, and learn. 

Therefore E-Learning is very beneficial. for all the students who wish to study in groups.

EASY UPDATING

In regular learning methods, notes have to be regularly updated by the students. This takes a lot of time. But in e-learning, notes are simply sent to the students. So they are automatically updated.

DISADVANTAGES OF E-LEARNING

No Control

In the case of regular learning or the learning controlled by the teacher. The teacher motivates the students to study. Also, the Teacher makes a routine for the student. This Learning necessary for them.

But In the case of e-learning, it is just the opposite. Control is in the hands of the student. Is the student who decides what to study and when to study. 

In this case, the students become careless. They may neglect the fact that they have to study. There is no motivation for students to study. This is the major drawback of e-learning.

LEARNING APPROACH

Internal regular learning technique, the students interact with each other face to face. This interaction becomes enjoyable for them.

If the students practice the case of e-learning, they feel that this approach is very dull. We find it very boring to study alone. So this is a drawback of e-learning that does not provide a regular interaction between the students. Moreover, if there is no discussion between the students, they will think only in one direction.

They will not get to know what other people feel about the same topic, and they will not be able to compare their views. 

TECHNOLOGY DEPENDENT

E-Learning depends solely on technology. Computers are the basic necessity of virtual learning. The Internet becomes the second necessity.

When someone wants to join the e-learning, he needs to process a computer or a laptop, an internet connection with go speed, some specific software which is required to run special kind of multimedia or electronic resources.

This becomes the investment for E-learning. These devices also require maintenance at regular intervals.

CONCLUSION

Therefore from the above information, we conclude that virtual learning has many advantages that help children in their intelligence. But it also affects the soft skills of the 

Therefore, Children are no more in contact with each other. So there are both advantages and disadvantages of Virtual Learning

Also read our blog Build the best Virtual Connections and Virtual Team

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