There are a variety of benefits associated with E-Learning. Some of these benefits include time, flexibility, access, cost and quality of education. This discussion will further explore some of these benefits specifically in relation to tertiary education.
For the population now as knowledge workers, it is imperative to adapt to and utilise the current technological advancements. "The world is characterised by rapid technological change and global communication"(New South Wales: Department of Education and Training 2005). E-Learning allows for increased "understanding" and utilisation of Information Communication Technologies which people require to live a "productive and rewarding life, now and in the future"(New South Wales: Department of Education and Training 2005).
One of the greatest benefits of E-Learning is access. Students even in remote or rural areas are able to receive a tertiary education, even without local access to a University (Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005). Also students that are working, non-mobile or even foreign can receive education (Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005). By working on-line students also have the benefit of being able to access a plethora of valuable resources even if they do not have a "brick and mortar library" nearby (Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005). These resources include academic journals and papers, books and lecture notes that have all been digitised(Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005). Students have access to faculty and peers with lectures, classes, noticeboards and collaboration all available online (Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005). This can lead to improved communication skills of students as they are required to collaborate with faculty and peers instead of hiding in the back row of a classroom (Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005).
Another benefit of E-Learning is time. Time constraints are lifted allowing students to receive learning "any-where any-time"(Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005). E-Learning is self-paced allowing students to fit studying in with and around their life and commitments including work and family. In the case of the Author study commitments are met around the family commitments of a baby, allowing the Author to complete tertiary studies from home whilst raising a baby. Students are able to receive instant access at anytime day or night to "data and information in a digital form"(Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005). Where once it may have been impossible to juggle both working full/part time or family commitments (such as a baby) with full/part time study, it is now both possible and completely feasible with students being able to study at nights, weekends or whenever suits rather than when classes or lectures are scheduled (Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005).
This flexibility given to people by E-Learning allows for an increase in participation of study (Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005). It allows for students to choose the learning path that best suits their learning style and lifestyle including distance education or a combination of on-line and/or campus based studies.
In conclusion it is apparent that there are numerous benefits to E-learning and that E-learning can be an excellent type of education for students that may require the flexibility of fitting tertiary studies around other commitments or students that do not have access to a local University or learning institution.
Reference List
Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S (2005). The impact of ICT on tertiary education: advances and promises. Retrieved on August 6th, 2008, from
http://www.advancingknowledge.com/drafts/Larsen-The%20impact%20of%20ICT%20on%20tertiary%20education%20-%20AKKE.doc
New South Wales: Department of Education and Training (June 7th, 2005). Excelllence and Innovation: 13. Information Communication Technologies (ICT). Retrieved on August 6th, 2008, from
https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/reviews/futuresproject/issuespapers/ict.htm
For the population now as knowledge workers, it is imperative to adapt to and utilise the current technological advancements. "The world is characterised by rapid technological change and global communication"(New South Wales: Department of Education and Training 2005). E-Learning allows for increased "understanding" and utilisation of Information Communication Technologies which people require to live a "productive and rewarding life, now and in the future"(New South Wales: Department of Education and Training 2005).
One of the greatest benefits of E-Learning is access. Students even in remote or rural areas are able to receive a tertiary education, even without local access to a University (Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005). Also students that are working, non-mobile or even foreign can receive education (Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005). By working on-line students also have the benefit of being able to access a plethora of valuable resources even if they do not have a "brick and mortar library" nearby (Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005). These resources include academic journals and papers, books and lecture notes that have all been digitised(Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005). Students have access to faculty and peers with lectures, classes, noticeboards and collaboration all available online (Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005). This can lead to improved communication skills of students as they are required to collaborate with faculty and peers instead of hiding in the back row of a classroom (Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005).
Another benefit of E-Learning is time. Time constraints are lifted allowing students to receive learning "any-where any-time"(Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005). E-Learning is self-paced allowing students to fit studying in with and around their life and commitments including work and family. In the case of the Author study commitments are met around the family commitments of a baby, allowing the Author to complete tertiary studies from home whilst raising a baby. Students are able to receive instant access at anytime day or night to "data and information in a digital form"(Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005). Where once it may have been impossible to juggle both working full/part time or family commitments (such as a baby) with full/part time study, it is now both possible and completely feasible with students being able to study at nights, weekends or whenever suits rather than when classes or lectures are scheduled (Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005).
This flexibility given to people by E-Learning allows for an increase in participation of study (Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S 2005). It allows for students to choose the learning path that best suits their learning style and lifestyle including distance education or a combination of on-line and/or campus based studies.
In conclusion it is apparent that there are numerous benefits to E-learning and that E-learning can be an excellent type of education for students that may require the flexibility of fitting tertiary studies around other commitments or students that do not have access to a local University or learning institution.
Reference List
Larsen, K. & Vincent-Lancrin, S (2005). The impact of ICT on tertiary education: advances and promises. Retrieved on August 6th, 2008, from
http://www.advancingknowledge.com/drafts/Larsen-The%20impact%20of%20ICT%20on%20tertiary%20education%20-%20AKKE.doc
New South Wales: Department of Education and Training (June 7th, 2005). Excelllence and Innovation: 13. Information Communication Technologies (ICT). Retrieved on August 6th, 2008, from
https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/reviews/futuresproject/issuespapers/ict.htm
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