Advantages of online learning in comparison to traditional forms of learning

Training and Education in the Modern Times

Training and education have been a vital need in people’s life more so in the modern times. Online learning has over the past years with the demand as more and more people seek to quench their education demands. As new information keeps emerging, there has been demand for an efficient mode of learning that would reduce the time and distance between the teachers and the learners, hence the inception of online learning/education also known as internet education. Today, online learning/training has been used as supplementary education. Technology development, such as websites, online classes, internet, and social media have all been a positive catalyst and the basis of the online learning. Different institutions have today adopted online platforms for part-time students distance learning as well as online classes to supplement traditional classes. Over the years various articles have been authored concerning online education. This essay discusses the pros and cons of online learning concerning an article by Radović-Marković, ’Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Learning In Comparison To Traditional Forms of Learning’ highlighting, relevance to people, education workforce and its development.

The Selected Article by Radović-Marković

The selected article for this essay is; ’Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Learning In Comparison To Traditional Forms of Learning.’ Authored in 2010, this article by Radović-Marković highlights the importance of internet education concerning traditional forms of learning. According to Radović-Marković (2010), modern day technologies more particularly the internet have contributed to a great change in the kinds of knowledge as well as how its acquired by people. More so, by finding its way as part of people’s lives today, the internet has changed different aspects that affect people’s lives such as communication and business operations. In the education sector, the internet has provided a communication media, as well as allow for information storage for future use. This is either in textual, visual, graphical or any other given form. Despite the massive growth regarding online classes/learning, it is hard to replace the traditional courses, the conventional setting of learning environment will continue to attract their share of students more so the ones that will desire to have the classical learning models. However, the traditional education setting will have to change as the needs of the contemporary educational changes continues to be experienced. Finally, the article highlights the overall impact of virtual classes would be positive as well as complementing the traditional learning environment (Radović-Marković, 2010). Both the school and the learners will continue benefiting from the online learning. With the fact that the employer hardly distinguishes online learners from traditional ones, the chances for online education will continue to grow as the demand increases. Using the case of Serbia, the author has well-developed research into the online learning sector.

Relevance to Individuals

The development and adoption of online learning have had direct and indirect to different people and organizations as well as stakeholders in the education sector. To individuals, online learning has allowed an increased number of learners to access education regardless of physical distance and cost. This has, in turn, offered more individual’s chances to develop their careers, which could have hardly been obtained with a traditional classroom setting. Additionally, the online learning platform has allowed for flexibility in their learning process. The aspect of flexibility has allowed women to access education more compared to the traditional learning models. Online learning offers an increased element of self-fulfillment among individuals hence enabling them to realize their individual and professional goals (Radović-Marković, 2010). Finally, online learning helps individuals in achieving the much-needed balance between personal, work and other commitments. Online learning has increased the number of opportunities and programs for one to choose from. This has as well-favored women not only in offering them more chances but also help hen reduce the educational gap between men and women.

Relevance to Workforce Education and Development

The increasing rate of demand for online education models, the article by Radović-Marković highlights the significance of this education model to institutions, developers, and workforce. In the case of institutions, online learning has been an inevitable development that allows for increased number of students to access education at reduced cost. This online education model has helped institutions save the cost of education as there are less infrastructure and employee required to support the system. “Educational institutions have made significant savings regarding human and other resources utilization” (Radović-Marković, 2010). Regarding workforce, the online learning has tremendously increased the rate of interactivity among professors and students. In summary, online learning has improved interactivity among all education stakeholders, hence resulting in improved service delivery and quality of education. Compared to the traditional learning models, online learning increases study efficiency. Online learning has contributed to the development of many other related sectors such as software development, i.e., blackboard which allows for smooth student-teacher interaction and online content delivery. To make online a success, the investment demands flexible environment that would support the 21st center learning, establishment of the international network, and massive investment in cyber structures to support the online education model.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the adoption of online learning has been an inevitable development. Not only has the growth brought much-needed change in the education sector, but it has allowed an increased number of students as well as women students to access education at lower cost. To the workforce, the model has improved education efficiency as well as that of stakeholders. Despite the massive investment that is needed to make online learning success, it is a moral development not only for the developed nations but also the developing ones. However, the invention and adoption of online learning can hardly entirely replace the traditional classroom learning environment but can be used to complement the conventional model to be much effective and efficient.

References

Radović-Marković, M. (2010). Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Learning In Comparison To Traditional Forms of Learning. Annals of the University Of Petrosani Economics, 10(2), 289-298.