“E-Learning” – All of us have heard this term, right? In fact during the pandemic, when most of the educational institutions were locked down, eLearning became the only source of education. But, even after many years of existence, there are many myths about eLearning. Many people think that eLearning cannot be an option in the long run. They believe that once the pandemic is over, eLearning will lose its importance. But, is it really so? Well, we will explore more about this in the blog. So, let’s begin!
What is eLearning?
For many who still don’t know what eLearning is, it is the process of sharing valuable knowledge through electronic channels. The channels can include e-books, CDs, webinars, and many more. E-learning platforms are one common medium through which the learning content circulates is the internet.
Today, online courses are immensely popular. Almost every learner prefers it over traditional learning. Even the educators seem to have adapted themselves to this learning method.
The eLearning platforms develop certification courses, through which the learners and employees can upskill themselves whenever and wherever they want. Also, these eLearning platforms help the institutions to instil multimodal learning. And there are many more benefits of Virtual Reality eLearning too! Let’s take a look at some of them.
Essential Benefits of E-Learning
There are many reasons why e-learning helps in education. To know this, take a look at its benefits below.
1. Making Learning Flexible
eLearning makes learning flexible. In an institution, different learners have different speed and style of learning. It is sometimes not possible for the instructors to match all of their preferences. But, eLearning can!
eLearning platforms allow the learners to go through the lessons at their own speed. They can pause the lessons and go back to the points repeatedly, till the concepts are crystal clear to them. Also, the eLearning modules have audio-visual content, engaging activities, and more! It helps to make learning fun for them. They don’t need to keep reading the books anymore! They can take help from the videos to complete the lessons quickly!
Hence, eLearning offers all round learning flexibility. It makes learning flexible in terms of speed, content and learning style.
2. Incorporation of Rich Media and Visuals
Digital courses and Learning Management Systems break the stereotypes by their ability to implement various visualisation tools. It is indeed true that an online course is incomplete without rich images and visuals. And traditional classrooms fall short of such things.
Most learners can grab information faster through visual learning. Furthermore, it is vital to make the learning process interactive, engaging, and captivating. This is when online learning becomes gold.
From video presentations to animated visuals, podcasts, and many other things, your organisation’s online courses can do wonders for learners worldwide. In addition, online education is reusable. Since the videos are already recorded, learners can move ahead with the lessons at their own pace.
3. E-Learning is Cost Effective
E-learning is cost-effective in the long run. Many academic institutes have the wrong notion that digital learning is expensive since it requires the use of several tools. But, in reality, e-learning reduces the overall cost.
Your organisation doesn’t need to pay for traditional classrooms and full-time educators. E-learning doesn’t require hiring educators for each subject. Here, the collaboration of subject matter experts and instructional designers is enough to curate an effective course.
Moreover, animated videos only need the hands of professional animators. Hence, with e-elearning, an institute can save the overall production cost.
4. Maximises Knowledge Retention
No wonder e-learning maximises knowledge retention among learners. This is one of the reasons why e-learning helps in education. According to recent research, e-learning maximises the knowledge retention rate by 60%.
This is because eLearning increases learner engagement and creates a comfortable learning environment. Also, it makes even the assessments fun. So, the learners do not fear away from assessments anymore, and the rate of participation in different activities also increases. With this, your organisation can easily address each learner’s weaknesses and strengths.
Besides, almost every online software provides useful communication and collaboration tools. Such tools promote better communication among learners on a real-time basis. Hence, it helps to enhance their communication skills.
So, Will eLearning Prevail In The Longer Run?
Now, let’s get back to the question that we asked in the very beginning. Now that the pandemic is dying out, and the classrooms are seeing students again, is eLearning still prevalent?
Well, the answer is quite clear! Yes, eLearning is still prevalent, and it will always remain relevant, forever. And this conclusion is backed by multiple facts and reasons.
Recent studies say that, in 2017, there were over 5.3 million international students globally. And, it is quite an obvious fact that the number of students relocating to other cities within their own country may go upto even a billion! Hence, the earth witnesses a massive movement of students every year!
But, eLearning can give these students an opportunity to study from their own place, at the comfort of their own homes! In fact, many educational institutions have already recognized this trend. They have started delivering distance learning alternatives to their full time courses. These courses are entirely delivered online.
Read more on how distance learning services are growing relevant day by day!
Not only this, eLearning is bridging the gap between normal education and special education! Earlier, the specially abled students had a different classroom, and what they read was also quite different from the normal students. This led to a feeling of isolation amongst the disabled students.
But, eLearning can merge the special classrooms and normal classrooms together. Using WCAG guidelines, the eLearning companies can make all their elearning modules accessible for students with disabilities. Then, even the specially abled students will study the same module and same lessons as their normal counterparts.
Final Takeaway
E-learning will continue to be the most effective method of providing education in the near future. With all the benefits mentioned above, there is no doubt that e-learning is highly necessary in today’s world. Besides, it represents the most effective way of learning and keeps the learners engaged on the go.
Furthermore, digital learning bridges the gap between remote learners and institutes. It is possible to easily reach learners belonging to the farthest corners of the earth.
But, creating effective elearning modules need professional expertise in multiple fields. If your organisation needs help in creating effective e-learning courses, you can trust Acadecraft. We are a leading e-learning services provider in the UK. We have a team of highly skilled subject matter experts, instructional designers, software developers and many more who are ready to create engaging courses in no time.
