Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Learning: A Literature Review

Introduction

The focus of this work is the examination of the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning. To that end, this paper conducts a review of literature in this area of study. The sources reviewed are academic or professional in nature and take the form of peer-reviewed material.

Defining E-Learning

E-learning is learning that takes place via the computer, and specifically within an online learning environment or via the World Wide Web. E-learning has been defined in the following ways:

(1) The convergence of the Internet and learning, or Internet-enabled learning;
(2) The use of network technologies to create, foster, deliver, and facilitate learning, anytime and anywhere;
(3) The delivery of individualized, comprehensive, dynamic learning content in real time, aiding the development of communities of knowledge and linking learners and practitioners with experts;
(4) A phenomenon delivering accountability, accessibility, and opportunity to help people and organizations keep pace with the rapid changes that define the Internet world;
(5) A force that gives people and organizations a competitive edge, allowing them to stay ahead of the rapidly changing global economy. (The Ageless Learner, 2006)

Lee-Post (2009), in the work entitled "E-Learning Success Model: An Information Systems Perspective," reports the following growth in distance learning when comparing 1997–1998 statistics to those of 2000–2001:

Growth of E-Learning

(1) A 14% increase in the proportion of the nation's public four-year institutions offering distance learning courses;
(2) A 123% increase in enrollment in college-level, credit-granting distance learning courses;
(3) A 45% increase in the percentage of institutions using asynchronous Internet-based technologies as their primary distance learning technology. (Lee-Post, 2009)

Lee-Post (2009) also proposes an e-learning success model that encompasses the following components within an overall system design: (1) system quality; (2) information quality; (3) system delivery; (4) system outcome; and (5) user satisfaction.

Ortiz (2001), in the work entitled "E-Learning," describes e-learning as "a rather new learning method, which is still being developed in its initial part. It consists of learning based on Internet and other ICT methods." Ortiz identifies the goals of e-learning as follows:

Positive and Negative Aspects of E-Learning

(1) To make communication between students and teachers quicker and easier;
(2) To be accessible at all times;
(3) To make learning more attractive and reachable for more people; and
(4) To enable access to a wider range of information, from anywhere. (Ortiz, 2001)

The following table summarizes the positive aspects and constraints of e-learning as identified by Ortiz (2001):

Positive Aspects:
— Learn new things not possible at home
— Ability to focus on the important parts
— Knowledge spreads faster and more widely
— Self-directed study
— Technology enables better simulations
— Provides additional learning opportunities
— More objective assessment
— No filters or barriers (students are less afraid to ask questions)
— Reach more students
— Good support for people with disabilities
— Students may prefer e-learning to attending classes
— Companies can use it for knowledge management and employee training

Constraints:
— Tendency to print everything
— No social contact
— Lack of technical infrastructure
— Cost to the learner and software costs
— Lack of preparation; reliance on old mentality
— Problems with recognition and accreditation
— Students must learn how to use computers
— Must be accessible at all times
— Not suitable for every type of course
— Language barriers
— Too much work for the professor; too many materials to put online
— Difficulty for teachers in tracking student progress
(Ortiz, 2001)