Online learning. What we know about it?
Rapid development of technologies encouraged the change in delivery of education to the public. Thus, education, alongside with being traditionally classroom – based, since 1980’s has gained one more, distance form.
At present with introduction of Internet communication distance education has become available online. Thus, the issue of online learning is the focus of our discussion.
Researchers find it important to distinguish between various modes of distance learning (Moore, Dickson-Deane, and Galyen, 2011, p.129). Thus, the authors state that there should be a clear definition of such terms as e-Learning, distance learning, and online learning as the “terms such as online, web-based, and e-Learning are interchanged when describing the learning environment” (Moore et al., 2011, p. 130).
Meanwhile, online learning is defined as “access to learning experiences via the use of some technology” (Benson, 2002; Carliner, 2004; Conrad, 2002 as cited in Moore et al., 2011, p. 130).
Moreover, the authors distinguish three characteristics of online learning environments: self-paced, self-directed or instructor-led. The most typical one, ‘instructor-led’, is “described as an environment where an instructor guides learners through the required instruction content and controls the instructional sequencing and pacing and all learners participate in the same learning activities at specified times” (Rhode, 2009 as cited in Moore et al., 2011, p. 131). Another learning environment, ‘self-paced’, “enables individuals to study online in their own time and at their own pace, from their own location. It provides the learner more autonomy to proceed at their own pace, while their progress is monitored to assess their achievement (Rhode, 2009; Spector et al., 2008 as cited in Moore et al., 2011, p. 131). The term self-directed is defined by Garrison as “a mode of learning which is learner-controlled; where the learner is more in charge of their own learning and they monitor and manage the cognitive and contextual aspects of their learning” (Garrison, 2003 as cited in Moore et al., 2011, p. 131).
The above-mentioned characteristics contribute to the tendency of increasing number of people who prefer to get higher education online. In this term, there arises a need in thorough consideration of advantages and disadvantages of online learning.
The major strength of online learning is that it provides access to higher education for disabled and “those restricted by geographical distance” (McNaughton, 2001; Raymond, 2000; Evans and Fan, 2002 as cited in O’Donoghue, Singh, and Green, 2004, p.64).
Besides, according to Evans and Fan (2002 as cited in O’Donoghue et al., 2004, p. 65), online learning allows students to “choose their own place of study, … organize their own individual learning schedule, … and set their own individual pace of study without being held up by slower students or vice-versa”.
Evans and Fan (2002 as cited in O’Donoghue et al., 2004, p. 67) also state that online learning through “greater use of text, sound and video, helps to enrich the learning process”.
Among the drawbacks of online learning researchers distinguish a tendency of restricted “interaction between both student / instructor and student / student, posing the threat of isolation” (Wang and Newlin, 2001; Kruse, 2001a as cited in O’Donoghue et al., 2004, p.64)
Moreover, “online courses often limit interaction activities such as teamwork, which tend to be offered more frequently in the conventional classroom” (O’Donoghue et al., 2004, p.65).
Finally, “there is a necessity for students to have frequent access to a computer, a modem, and a telephone line or cable connection” (Uhlig, 2002 as cited in O’Donoghue et al., 2004, p. 66) which is hardly available to every student.
Thus, awareness of terminology related to distance education, various learning environments, advantages and disadvantages of online learning might contribute to our understanding about online education, which has become a significant additional tool to the traditional education.
- Moore, J. L., Dickson-Deane, C., & Galyen, K. (2011). e-Learning, online learning, and distance learning environments: Are they the same?. The Internet and Higher Education, 14(2), 129-135. Retrieved September 9, 2015 from https://scholar.vt.edu/access/content/group/5deb92b5-10f3-49db-adeb-7294847f1ebc/e-Learning%20Scott%20Midkiff.pdf
- O’Donoghue, J., Singh, G., & Green, C., (2004). A Comparison of Advantages and Disadvantages of IT Based education and the Implications upon Students. Interactive Educational Multimedia, 9 (November 2004), 63-76. Retrieved September 10, 2015 from http://www.ub.es/multimedia/iem
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