E-learning in India: Benefits, Prospects and Challenges

Can you think of a time when computers, smartphones, and other such devices were not allowed in the classroom? It seems like the age when dinosaurs used to roam the earth!

What can we say, things changed a lot since. And it has had its impact on all spheres of life. Including the education sector.

Technology Changing Education

Education is a constantly evolving sector. With it, the challenges come in bountiful. But the best part is, there is always room for improvement. In fact, the education sector has been witness to a sea of changes that have washed over it, making it more improved and accessible.

One such predominant integration has been that of technology, which has given the traditional classroom model a dizzying spin. This initiated a shift in the learning paradigm, dissolving the hindrances posed and making way for a better future. It has given rise to one of the most popular forms of education of recent times. That’s e-learning.

What is e-learning?

An abbreviation for electronic learning, e-learning signifies the use of computer and similar other devices to impart education. This type of learning mostly employs technology and Internet to access educational material or sources, in contrary to traditional classroom methods.

Examples of e-learning include, among others:

• Distance education
• Online learning
• Interactive learning models

Such a concept was not welcomed initially, since electronic devices weren’t a huge hit in the classroom. It was believed that technology would remove the human element from the education system. However, with the overwhelming outcomes on the rise, e-learning soon became the go-to guy for the education sector.

Looking Back

The insane revolution began sometime between the 1980s and the 1990s, when Information and Communication Technology (ICT) rose to the occasion. The potential of such a proliferation was soon realized and put into action in the classrooms with an overwhelming response. And the consequences doubled with increased augmentation.

In fact, as many as 87% of parents have agreed that effective integration of technology in education is important for a student’s success.

This video shows how ICT can be effectively implemented in the classroom.

Before moving on to the future scope of e-learning in India, let’s discuss what e-learning is all about.

The term ‘e-learning’ sprang to life in October 1999, when it was first used at a Computer Based Training (CBT) systems seminar in Los Angeles. When a demand for proper explanation of the term used was in line, the following came into existence:

• Online learning
• Virtual learning

With the boom in Internet and growing connectivity, the increase in application of web-based education models were given an enormous thrust into the limelight.

The popularity of e-learning

The popularity of e-learning is evident from the way students, teachers and parents perceive this concept in this era.

• Every day, we turn to the Internet for gaining information.
• Online courses have mushroomed like never before.
• Virtual classrooms are on the rise.
• The number of students registering for such courses has shot through the roof.
• In addition, e-learning has found its place in the heart of training incumbent personnel in the corporate sector.

Here’s a quick DIY test to check this.

• Go to “Google search”
• Type in “What is e-learning”
• Hit search.
• Expand the box that comes in the beginning with the one-sentence meaning.
• Once you do this, you would be greeted by a graph showing the usage of the term since 1800.
• Watch how the curve rises steeply around 2010.

In 2014, the amount of money spent on e-learning courses was estimated to be around $56.2 billion. If that surprised you, then this would leave you awestruck: by the end of 2015, this cost is expected to get doubled. What poured fuel to the raging fire is moving the e-learning platform to the mobile interface. This made education dynamic.

Nothing explains e-learning better than this video.

What are the benefits of e-learning?

A multi-billion dollar industry does not spring to fame without an amazing array of benefits tagging along, which make the millions all the more worthwhile. Let’s have a look at some of them.

1. It is cost-effective and saves time

E-learning courses do not demand students to be present in the classroom necessarily. Students can proceed with the courses from the comfort of their homes or any place they deem convenient. This cuts down the money on travel and saves a lot of time.

Let’s say an institute condenses 2900 hours of classroom training into:

• 600 hours of web-based training
• 500 hours of classroom training
• 300 hours of distance learning

This cuts the time spent on the training by about 52%. And the cost reduces considerably too. It is a win-win situation.

2. The self-paced aspect of e-learning shines through all obstacles

The best part about e-learning is that you can study whenever you want. Be it in the bus, the bookstore, the coffee shop, at home, on the run, or absolutely anywhere you want. And you can learn it at your own pace. With e-learning, there is no need to rush through your concepts and your understanding. If you hit a block, you can take a break and come back to it according to your own convenience. That is what self-paced learning is all about. Sounds fantastic, doesn’t it?

3. E-learning results in a higher knowledge retention

To make education interactive and interesting, e-learning employs numerous methods of:

• Blended learning approach
• Gamification

Thus, knowledge retention increases and the time spent on learning becomes more productive.

4. Tracking Course Progress becomes Easier

A well-implemented Learning Management System (LMS) makes tracking course progress more effective and easy. In addition, LMS makes assessing students’ capabilities a piece of cake. Therefore, an e-learning system, which includes an LMS, can prove to be quite effective in tracking learner’s progress.

5. E-learning provides ample room to be discreet

It so happens sometimes that a student lags behind in the class, while others find themselves quite in sync with whatever is being taught. And that student feels shy about questioning the incomprehensible, since that would shower him with unwanted attention. The whole situation ends up being extremely embarrassing. Such a situation can be completely avoided in e-learning and any failure can be kept from getting out in the open. Therefore, the chances of being jeered at can be reduced.

This appeals a lot to every student, mostly co-workers. So, these are what attract students to elearning.

• E-learning allows enough room for students to manage their tasks as and when they find convenient.
• It also provides a step-by-step explanation procedure that caters to students of any level of comprehensive skills.

E-learning takes personal learning to a whole new level.

6. E-learning encourages sharing

E-learning provides students with a chance to share the knowledge acquired through online communities. A discussions forum can add value to the learning procedure, by incorporating scope for fruitful collaboration and conversation. Sharing of resources in e-learning is also an extremely healthy way for education to flourish.

7. The target audience base for e-learning is quite large

The two important aspects that act as barriers to learning are:

• Location
• Time-frame

This limits the student base considerably. With e-learning, educators have access to a wide base of students, since distance isn’t a hindrance anymore.

Did You Know?

It’s quite clear that e-learning is eco-friendly.

In a study conducted by the Open University, it was revealed that distance learning courses consumed 90% less energy and resulted in 85% lesser emission of carbon dioxide per student!

Future prospects of e-learning

India has become a major source for e-learning content development owing to the country’s highly educated workforce and low-cost benefits. It is about time for the concept of e-learning to be fully incorporated in the country’s education system.

I’ll give you two facts to validate the rise of e-learning:

• With Internet users expected to rise to a hefty 500 million by 2020, there is no way that e-learning can stay behind.
• By June this year, the number of mobile Internet users is slated to rise to 213 million, paving a way for dynamic education to reach every learner.

The current annual growth rate of India’s e-learning industry has been estimated to be at 17-20% and is set to reach the $40 billion market size by 2017. More than half of the country’s population fall under the expected target reach for e-learning.

E-learning trends set to change the future of education

The various aspects of e-learning are yet to be explored properly by the population and several tools have not been used till now to facilitate e-learning in India. However, a few trends that e-learning might encompass stand out from among the rest.

Some of these trends are discussed below.

1. Microlearning

In a nutshell, microlearning is all about learning through activities, which involve micro-steps in digital environments. The best aspect about this concept is that, these activities can be integrated in the everyday activities of a student’s daily routine and reduces their burden.

In addition, microlearning eliminates the need for educational sessions for a specific duration, since learning is imparted through snippets of information embedded in the day’s activities.

In simpler words, microlearning is going about a problem in small steps. And its implementation is easy. For example, you have come across a problem. This is how you would achieve a solution to it through microlearning.

2. Personalized learning

Personalized learning deals with a curriculum that is tailored to fit the needs of every individual learner. Its steps involve:

• Educational programs
• Approaches
• Strategies

All of these are designed to meet the distinct learning interests, aspirations, and other such categories of a learner’s preference.

It strays in a completely opposite direction to the one-size-fits-all concept. However, in addition to providing unlimited choices for learners, this type of learning also puts forward certain goals that need to be met by every learner.

3. Gamification

Gamification is a very intricate process of augmenting game-based thinking into education. The idea is to employ gaming techniques in a non-game based context. This can encourage students to reach the solution in an interactive and fun way that’s no more monotonous.

Challenges faced by e-learning

Even though the concept of e-learning is set to create major waves in the education sector in the recent years, the challenges are streaming in. Many organizations have embraced e-learning with open arms, but the problems amount to a staggering sky-high heap when it comes to implementing e-learning at the school level.

Let’s shed some light on the challenges faced.

1. The Internet is still a luxury in many parts of the country.

A vast majority of the Indian population resides in rural areas. The lack of infrastructure in such areas gives rise to connectivity and accessibility issues. However, the Government of India has been instrumental in removing such barriers by implementing various measures. Two schemes have been launched to aid in e-learning implementation:

• National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT)
• National Program on Technology Enhanced Learning

These two schemes have been solely launched to implement ICT in video and web-based learning.

2. E-learning does not cover a lot of certification courses.

The certifications that come with conventional learning is somehow lost in the e-learning concept of education. The e-learning courses do not cover a lot of certification courses that are recognized by colleges and universities across India or abroad. This pulls the e-learning courses out of sync with any stream of school education.

3. It would take some time to renovate the conventional educational system.

The traditional education methods have enlightened generations for decades now. Even though you might feel that they have overstayed their welcome, it has become increasingly difficult for us to overthrow tradition completely and embrace newer methods of learning with open arms.

However, renovation in the old-school methods have seen the light of the day with technology entering the industry. But a complete makeover in education with the e-learning methods would still require some time to establish itself.

4. Not all learners are tech-savvy.

Even though the e-learning courses are available in a wide range of platforms for learners to choose from, a basic knowledge of how to operate those devices is imperative to benefit from the courses. And being a tech-savvy teacherbecomes a primary requisite. Therefore, before e-learning could be implemented, learners and educators need to be educated about the ins and outs of technology to facilitate a smooth learning curve.

5. Lack of awareness

If a large part of the population isn’t aware of the amazing benefits that e-learning has to offer, then how can it be expected to change the face of education in the coming years?

Awareness plays a key role in making the proliferation of e-learning a joy ride. With that lacking, the future becomes questionable.

While the challenges pose an impending storm rocking the e-learning ship violently, the numerous benefits calm the waves to a soothing cradle. E-learning streams in like a shining ray of hope, making education accessible for:

• Anyone
• Anywhere
• Anytime

And with the astonishing figures depicting the prospect of a brighter future, e-learning is here to stay.

Let us know your views about elearning in India. Do you feel it’s going to be a significant factor in India’s education in the years to come? Share your views with us. We will be more than happy to hear from you.