The Role and Importance of E-Learning in Education

E-learning or learning through the electronic medium has emerged as the biggest democratising factor in education. It has expanded the reach of education, making it accessible, flexible, and inclusive so that education has truly become a powerful tool
for an equal, skilled, and developed society. E-learning has made it possible for education to benefit every member of society, percolating down to the very grassroots and offering growth opportunities across the board.

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What is E-Learning in Education?

E-learning, short for electronic learning, is the process of imparting education through the digital medium. E-learning differs from traditional learning in that the mode of instruction changes from face-to-face,
in-person interaction to one through a device with the help of digital technology and the internet. For e-learning, educational content and instruction are made available to students and learners of all ages through the internet for anytime, anywhere
access.

Types of E-learning

E-learning can be classified into two broad categories depending on the type of access and the timeframe for learning.

Synchronous

Synchronous e-learning is lesson-centric, instructor-led learning which is provided on a fixed schedule. For example, weekly classes through virtual classrooms like Zoom or Google Classroom, where a specific topic or a concept is taught. All students need to be virtually present as per a fixed timetable. This could also include web conferences, same-time online tests, shared whiteboards or discussion forums. Synchronous e-learning follows a learning schedule at the same pace as the rest of the class through prescribed activities by replacing traditional methods with digital platforms. Thus providing ease of access, economies of scale and cost-savings on travel across geographies for learning and growth activities.

1. Asynchronous

   Asynchronous e-learning is lesson-centric but on-demand learning, in which the learner can pace it according to their individual ability and time availability. Examples of this include self-paced courses and skill development, online practice tests, chat and discussion boards, etc. Lessons are made available through pre-recorded videos or activities that the students or learners can consume at their own pace as per their needs. Progress is self-directed, and the learners have the option of pursuing the same topic as many times as they need to master it. Asynchronous e-learning adds flexibility and convenience to learning activities that can per undertaken regardless of location and other pre-occupations.

Importance of E-Learning in Education

E-learning has arrived as the biggest game changer in the field of education. It democratises education through technology, providing easy access to basic education, skill-upgradation, and constant learning opportunities to the large working population. It acts as a huge equaliser of opportunity for people with diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds to learn and grow.

Key Advantages of E-Learning Include

• Accessibility and Flexibility

  E-learning enables wide access to education with just a screen and an Internet connection. Not only does it enhance the reach of education to those who cannot be physically present, but it also assists students in accessing more resources and study material to sharpen their grasp on any topic. E-learning also provides the ease and flexibility of pacing and convenient timing for those who with pre-occupation and time constraints.

• Personalised Learning Experience

  E-learning offers personalised learning benefits through a variety of learning methods for the same lesson, thereby addressing individualised learning needs of each student. It tailors content through adaptive learning strategies in such a way that it works as personalised one-on-one tutoring.

• Collaboration and Interaction

  Contrary to the belief that digital technology is isolating, e-learning provides greater opportunities to collaborate and interact with global communities around common topics. It brings down geographical barriers, allowing students to access resources and work on real-life problems, leveraging learnings from varied sources. On a local level, e-learning provides opportunities for digital collaboration in the classroom, facilitating a group of students to ideate, discuss and work on projects simultaneously.

• Updated Content

  Due to its digital nature, e-learning has the advantage of being able to quickly update and deliver relevant content over traditional teaching, which relies heavily on prescribed textbooks. With newer information and discoveries, changing educational needs and regular curricula updation, e-learning has the inherent advantage of being able to stay current with evolving trends.

• Real-Time Feedback and Assessment

  E-learning facilitates immediate feedback on quizzes and MCQ assessments giving learners real-time inputs on their knowledge and areas that need work. Assessments and reviews through digital platforms can provide both educators and students with personalised insights into the efficiency of preferred learning mechanisms. It can further help discern more appropriate learning methods and effective assessment mechanisms. Smart edtech platforms such as Extramarks support educators in designing hassle-free, targeted and appropriate reviews to gauge the depth of student knowledge through different methods of assessment.

• Data-Driven Insights

  A key advantage of e-learning is the availability of data-driven insights and analysis, offering an astute understanding of individualised learning responses and preferences. With all the data gathered through e-learning portals, these insights can then inform the development and design of teaching-learning materials and methods. Educators can now learn how students respond to and engage with a lesson design, helping them develop more effective lesson plans. Through the data available,
  both the students and the teachers can gauge learner strengths, weaknesses and areas that need support.

• Expertise

  Another advantage of e-learning is its ability to source subject area experts from across the world and provide universal access to students sitting any place else, thereby providing high-quality education with ease. E-learning acts as a connector of high-quality education for those who seek it. It delivers freedom of access and reach over barriers of location and language.

• Learning and Growth

  With the enhancement and development of e-learning in education, the learning and growth opportunities for those seeking to update or upgrade their skills have also increased. Learning is a lifelong activity, and e-learning presents the chance for non-student learners to continue to pursue it for the benefit of improving their qualifications, keeping their knowledge and expertise current or even developing skills in activities they are passionate about beyond their work.

How Does Extramarks Help with E-learning?

Extramarks is an advanced e-learning platform powered by smart technology that combines unconventional learning-teaching methodologies with new-age content. It provides complete education solutions for students, teachers, institutes and parents through digitised end-to-end offerings. Extramarks Smart Class Plus provides engaging materials for all subjects and lessons across grade levels and various educational boards. It helps teachers deliver interactive and engaging content that helps students learn quicker and better, increasing overall learning efficiencies and subject interest. Through offerings like:

• Power questions and tests for unique assessment design
• Active and interactive learning
• Offline assessment designing
• Video for concepts and lessons
• Interactive whiteboard
• Cloud support for learning resources

Extramarks Smart Class Plus is helping schools across India transition from traditional teaching techniques to unconventional learning methodologies, which are transforming the teaching-learning process both within and outside the classroom.

Extramarks Offerings Include

• Smart Class Plus

  Transforming traditional classrooms through e-learning and the digital medium into modern, efficient educational centres.

• Learning App

  Helping students practice and build a strong foundation of learning on the school curriculum through interactive learning, concept practice and lesson revising.

• Assessment Centre

  Assisting teachers in developing and designing efficient assessments and grading practices.

• School Integrated program

  Assisting schools in providing their students with optimised preparation for competitive exams.

• Parent app

  Engaging parents with active participation in their child’s learning and education with progress monitoring, updates and performance analysis.

 
To sum up, e-learning is here to stay, in fact, it is the future of modern education. Not only is it optimal for educational institutes to connect with and reach more people, but it is also what is required to engage students and deliver more current and updated content. It furthers the objective of universal education, providing wide access to those with language, geographical, time and ability constraints. E-learning makes education fun and interactive, encouraging students to pursue subjects in-depth and develop an ability to apply this knowledge in the real world.

Last Updated on May 8, 2024