What is E-learning?
Electronic learning (or E-Learning or eLearning) is a term for all types of technology-enhanced learning (TEL), where technology is used to support the learning process. Often the medium of instruction is through computer technology, particularly involving digital technologies. E-learning has been defined as "pedagogy empowered by digital technology". In some instances, no face- to- face interaction takes place. E-learning is used interchangeably in a wide variety of contexts. In companies, it refers to the strategies that use the company network to deliver training courses to employees. In the United States, it is defined as a planned teaching/learning experience that uses a wide spectrum of technologies, mainly Internet or computer-based, to reach learners. Lately in most Universities, e-learning is used to define a specific mode to attend a course or programmes of study where the students rarely, if ever, attend face-to-face for on-campus access to educational facilities, because they study online.
There is no doubt that technology gives us effective communication alternatives, which in some cases, can be better than attending a boring lecture in a crowded hall, and having to travel to class every day. In spite of all the hype surrounding online degree programs and e-learning, it is important to see this phenomenon for both its pros and cons.
Pros of E-learning from students perspective:
1. Effective Distribution of Information
In most modern universities, a ‘paperless’ environment is not just a myth. It is already being practiced on daily basis. It is certainly okay for the students to take notes while the professor is talking, and then later asking your seniors for their notes so that you can have enough study material. But it is seen to be less effective. It is much better when the lecturer can upload the following day’s lecture notes in the course web page. Students can then access these materials, print them out, and be prepared for tomorrow’s lecture. This helps them to listen more effectively to the information that is being passed on from the professor, without having to scramble to jot down notes. Since students can access these materials at any time, there is also no issue if they need to get these materials again at a later date.
2. Save on Administration Costs
E-learning is favored by both public and private universities, as well as colleges because it helps them to reduce their administration costs. In fact, for every course offered by the college, there only need to be one master document, which is uploaded to the server or web page, and protected by a firewall or anti-virus software. That is the cost occurred for the administration to implement a new subject, aside from tutor fees and utilities. The students do all printing, and the lecturer updates the course modules. With this system in place, the college can offer the course to thousands of new students without spending even one Ringgit more. They can even reduce the lecture hours since most of the materials are available anytime. Therefore, it makes sense for educational institutions to favor e-learning. Even though the initial cost or setting up the servers and software may be a lot, in time to come these costs can easily be recovered by increasing the intake of students.
3. Increase the reach of Educational Institutions
E-learning enables universities and colleges to go beyond big cities and towns when recruiting new students. With the Internet, any student, anywhere in the country, is a possible enrollee. As long as the student is able to pay for the course, and has the basic facilities such as a personal computer, a printer and an Internet connection, it does not even matter if he lives in an isolated island or mountain without regular transportation. Such is the power on communication technology (ICT), as it allows people from remote areas to get access to important information, and increasing their opportunity of getting a better education.
With e-learning, some institutions even go beyond the country, into other neighboring countries. It makes sense for both the student and the institution. For example, it a student in Cambodia wants to take a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art, he may discover that a Malaysian college offers something that is attractive, and affordable to him. What is more, they even allow him to learn online, without having to pay for flight tickets and expensive accommodation. This is indeed a very good deal, which would not be so attractive without the flexibility offered by e-learning. While the advantages are obvious, the disadvantages need a little more scrutiny to be visible to us.
Cons of E-learning from students perspective:
1. Lack of Human Interaction
Learning is traditionally a process of passing information from one human being to another, such as from teacher to student, from father to son or from one friend to another. Even though knowledge can be put in books, CD-ROMs, the Internet and e-books, the special part played by a human voice and face can never truly be replaced. For example, we have all read instruction books on how to do many things. Even though these books or manuals may be easy to understand and gives every detail you need to know, almost everyone can testify that it makes more sense when a human being instructs them on how to do it. You can buy a book on how to cook, go through the details, and get a lot of information. However, you can only really understand when you attend a show or a cooking class by the author or another cooking expert. That is because not every type of knowledge can be written down and passed around. There is this thing called experience, which can only be passed on from one person to another through face-to-face interaction. Learning, at some point, involves getting a mentor or role model, and learning though their knowledge and experience.
2. Abuse and Misuse of Technology
When something is digital in format, it means that it operates on certain rules, codes and definitions. If these rules can be modified or changed, it will produce a completely different result. This is the perfect setting for con men and dishonest people who prefer to break the rules and cheat their way to success. Throughout Malaysia, there have been many cases of students who manage to break though online or intranet securities set by the university, and actually change their results or get a preview of the final examination questions. As a result of this, students play a cat and mouse game with the administration, who are always working hard to outsmart students and cover any loopholes in their system. Due to the nature of anything digital, small mistakes can cause very big problems for the student body and the administration.
3. Lack of Motivation and Effort Among Students
One of the biggest arguments about e-learning is that it makes students lazy and ineffective, due to being spoon fed by the educational institutions. With e-learning, most educational task is done either by the tutor or some sophisticated software, leaving students with the simple task of just downloading notes and reading them. Although this may make the learning process easier and more effective, it also runs the risk of creating dependent and lazy students. When these students graduate and enter the working class, they tend to expect all the information to be delivered to them, too. This time around, they may find that they need to aggressively seek information for themselves or be left behind fast. Since these students are so used to being spoon fed, they become cripples in the working environment, unable to move forward without constant help from others.
Related Links:
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_learning2.
http://virtualcampus.wordpress.com/2004/05/01/e-learning-in-malaysian-educational-institutions/
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Malaysia have implemented E-Government since 1996 which was initiated by 
