Advantages and disadvantages of E-learning - Assignment Example

This paper seeks to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of E-learning. E-learning employs two main teaching methods depending on the institution and learning facilities present (IBM, 2010). The first is the Asynchronous learning method which is a student centered approach. In this method, lessons are delivered informally using internet based resources, virtual tutors where resources needed for learning are made available through reference sites, and computer based training. The second method is synchronous learning that involves a number of students learning in a virtual classroom at the same time, whereby students use telecommunication facilities such as video conferences to take lectures.

Thus, instructor teaches the lesson virtually through an internet portal, as students watch online (Nayak & Suesaowaluk, 2007). E-Learning allows students to study from anywhere in the world, and take any course of their choice since it uses internet resources whereby a student can register for a course offered in a different location, access reading resources and take online examinations for the course. E-learning reduces costs that occur in the traditional teaching methods considering that the institutions using this method save on cost incurred by lecturers in travelling to lecture in different locations.

Education institutions in different countries are using this system to offer their courses, as a tutor can conduct a class from their geographical location electronically without the need to travel physically. This also makes the utilization of labor in these institutions efficient because they need few staff members to conduct lecturers for a large audience (IBM, 2010). Electronic learning improves classroom learning efficiency because it allows for better interactivity between students, tutor and the learning process.

Multimedia capabilities and internet resources involve the student intellectually in the whole learning process. This mode of study uses resources like videos, blogs, audio files, and web pages to teach the students leading to worldwide acceptability (Markovic, 2010). In addition, it has a global reach in the learning process, which involves students and tutors from all locations, and races, as students have universal access to experts who assist them in the learning process. Institutions using this method have dedicated workers available online to answer any queries from students; employing websites that are interactive and students can get answers to frequently asked questions that can arise as they study (Stennes, n.d.; Nayak & Suesaowaluk, 2007).

This form of learning is convenient to all the people involved in the study process; for instance, it makes classroom assessment easy for the lecturer. The lecturer gives reading resources electronically and receives answers to assignments electronically, which allows them to easily track the assignments and check for plagiarism and copying. The administrators of institutions offering e-learning get feedback on the progress of the classes from all the stakeholders. Students can make comments and reviews on the subject’s content, and also the whole teaching process which is used as a framework for improving the process.

In addition, lecturers receives students comments and feedbacks on the modules, content of the study, and understands where to change and improve the classes (Markovic, 2010). This method poses a number of disadvantages to both students and institutions that offer it, considering that e-learning relies heavily on internet and telecommunication facilities, which incurs cost for hardware and software installation, as well as internet charges to access learning