Why is e-Learning the Future of a Robust Education System?

Did you know that 70 percent of students agree that online learning is better than traditional classroom settings? In 2023, the scope of e-learning is profound, with the potential to revolutionize the current education system. 

Online learning and EdTech platforms have existed since the mid 20the century. However, it is only in 2020 that e-learning has become part and parcel of our daily lives. Initially co-opted to tackle the global lockdown and provide learners a trajectory to continue their studies, online education is now an indispensable element of the ‘new normal.’ Its global valuation is a whopping USD 315 billion and is expected to reach the USD 1 trillion threshold by 2028.

 

In the post-pandemic era, online learning is being utilized by multiple stakeholders, such as corporate hubs, public educational institutions, government bodies, etc. Of course, the benefits of e-learning are such that they can revolutionize the structure of the current education system, with the potential to make it more robust, egalitarian, and efficient. How? Let us find out!

 

Top Benefits of e-Learning: How Can It Revolutionize the Education System?

1. Higher Flexibility means Higher Retention Rates.

One of the main reasons why various types of e-learning are trumping traditional classroom-based education is flexibility. According to a study by the Research Institute of America, online learning culminates in an improved retention rate because of its inherent flexibility as students have the freedom to partake in a self-paced educational journey, knowledge absorption, and interest generation increase. For instance, studies show that online courses have increased student retention rates by anywhere from 25 percent to 60 percent.

2. Online Learning can Make Education More Egalitarian.

A major benefit of e-learning is that it transcends time and space. Thus, students from the nooks and crannies of the world can gain knowledge from the institution they seek. For instance, world-renowned universities like Yale, Harvard, etc., offer online courses, and sites like Udemy and Upgrade make skill acquisition more accessible. As online courses are more affordable, individuals from diverse socio-economic strata can access the best-quality knowledge.

For instance, a report by the Education Data Initiative found that online degree courses are USD 36000 cheaper over four years than vis-a-vis in-person degrees in public colleges. Similarly, students working to sustain themselves can gain a better footing in online classes, owing to their self-paced nature. Thus, affordability and home-learning resources are the two ways by which e-learning can make the education system more egalitarian.

3. Immersive Learning Can Facilitate Information Retention

As the attention of humans, including young people, is cinching, it has become imperative to devise novel modes of knowledge dissemination that are more captivating and immersive. Of course, the use of videos, audio, interactive tools, and images in all types of e-learning facilitates knowledge absorption and retention. For instance, a study shows that 65 percent of people are visual learners, and as words are abstract and complex to remember, our brain usually prioritizes ‘images’ for information retention.

Likewise, a 2013 study also illustrates that the retention and recall of information are significantly informed when two or more senses are involved in the learning process. Therefore, by co-opting various interactive resources, online learning can help even the most absent-minded students improve their academic performance. Thus, another revolutionary potential of online learning lies in its immersive nature.

4. Continuous Assessments Can be the Future of Wholistic Learning

Lastly, online learning has ushered in a novel way of teaching students. Continuous assessments and instant feedback are pivotal parts of all types of learning. Unlike the traditional approach of mugging things up, continuous evaluations coupled with ready feedback from the tutors can help students learn a topic in a more nuanced fashion. For example, a study by Harvard reveals that continuous assessments with immediate feedback reduced students’ absent-mindedness, increased note-taking by four times, and enhanced overall information recall.