| ::
Summary :: |
| Potential Advantages:
Potential Disadvantages:
-
Learner responsibility
-
Challenging for Instructors
-
Instructors need training
-
Equipment needs
-
Tech support
-
Uncertain effectiveness
-
Equity of access
-
Lack of face to face & campus life
|
Since educational research has yet to prove the effectiveness
of e-Learning, what evidence can we consider when trying to
evaluate it? As more and more learning providers begin
to deliver learning online, and more and more instructors
and students experience online learning a clearer list of
pros and cons will be possible.
The following list, derived from a variety of
resources, is meant to provoke some thoughts and allow you
to form your own conclusions.
Potential Pros of Online Learning:
-
No time spent commuting to class
-
No travel costs
-
You can have a job while you take classes
-
You can learn when you need it (Just-In-Time)
-
Your learning options are not constrained
by your geographic location
-
You can learn at your own pace
-
Learning can be fit into your busy schedule
-
Can be more effective for certain types of
learners (shy, reflective, language challenged, those
that need more time)
-
Often more student to student interaction
-
Can be more focused on the learner and less
on the instructor
-
Instruction can be more customized and flexible
(especially CBT)
-
Can lower costs for both learning providers
and organizations that need training
-
Often less costs for students than traditional
programs
-
Side benefits of learning new technologies
and technical skills
Potential Cons of Online Learning:
-
Instructors need to learn to be effective
online instructors
-
Hard for instructors to move traditional content
online
-
More time consuming for instructors to provide
individualized feedback (because more learners are often
actively involved)
-
Equipment needs of students and learning providers
-
Technical training and support of learners
and instructors
-
Academic honesty of online students
-
Types and effectiveness of assessments
-
Lack of face to face interaction
-
Equity of access to learners of all backgrounds
and parts of society
-
Requires new skills and responsibilities from
learners
-
Does not provide many social aspects of a
true campus or traditional classroom
|
