Why is E-Learning trending and how does it impact E-Learners

E-learning has grown to considerable heights over the past years. A few different reasons contribute to this rise in usage and popularity.

E-learning is an interesting niche within the educational sphere, in which individuals can learn through online and digital means.

E-learning has done particularly well within the United Kingdom and according to the statistics, 21% of the UK population has actually partaken in a digital learning platform.

This article aims to shed light on the reasons behind the rise of e-learning, plus offer some insight into opportunities and obstacles that individuals who are considering e-learning might face when navigating this form of education. So, without further ado, it’s time to jump in.

Reasons Behind the Rise

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One of the biggest reasons behind the rise of e-learning is advanced technology. Individuals who are interested in e-learning can now actually learn from these sites, as they have the digital tools necessary to take in as much information as possible. Most people have laptops and computers at their homes, strong Wi-Fi connections and the ability to pop on Zoom or Skype calls with ease. Therefore, there are only a few restrictions in terms of being able to collaborate with the e-learning platform, as access to technology makes it much easier.

This technology aspect has also impacted the platforms themselves. A few years ago, a lot of platforms were limited to what they were able to teach online, as there was a little bit of a barrier or limit to what they were able to do. For example, physical textbooks were very much part and parcel of how people learned, the idea of needing to communicate with hundreds of students through a digital interface seemed impossible and having students write tests from home was something that nobody knew how to do.

However, with the rise of technology, a lot of these issues have been resolved. Platforms can upload all their content, sometimes even more interesting content on their digital platforms. They’re able to communicate with the students easily, as there are a lot more social media platforms that are available and communication platforms, such as Teams, Zoom, WhatsApp and Skype.

Furthermore, the idea of having some sort of movement monitor or video monitor that observes students during their exam periods ensures that they are not cheating or leaving their desks, as the monitor would notice this.

Opportunities for E-Learners

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There are quite a few opportunities that come along with e-learning platforms due to the digital nature of these platforms.

E-learning allows individuals to study even when they are based in a more remote part of the world. Say somebody was based in a smaller country but wanted to study in New York but perhaps couldn’t get the visa to go there or afford to move there, with an online learning platform, they’re able to access New York level university education just by logging in to the university platform.

In addition to this, you’re also able to save a lot of time with commutes as you don’t have to commute for long hours to get to your college or university. You can simply stay home, log in and then get to learning. The same goes for balancing. Because you’re able to save time, you’re able to have a better work life balance.

Therefore, if you have a full-time job where you’re really busy during the day, you may not have the time or energy to actually go visit a night school, however, you may have the energy to sit down for 2 hours at home after work and actually still study in the evenings. Therefore, E-learning really promotes the idea of lifelong learning, also among those who are already working.

And it doesn’t stop there. A lot of different industries are doing better now because they’re able to offer online or digital services. Just think about the gaming industry, which has gone completely online. Some of the most popular casinos in the gambling industry have also done considerably well because they’ve been able to turn their offerings into a digital platform, offering immersive games and larger gaming variety all within one digital interface. This in turn provides more employment opportunities in the digital world.

Challenges for E-Learners

As with anything, there are also challenges that come with the E-learning industry. For those who are interested in potentially signing up for online courses, you need to remember that you have to stay extremely focused and organised, as you don’t have a lecture or a teacher trying to push you to do more. You are completely dependent on what you’re able to do, your ability and the idea of procrastination cannot even come in. This is a massive challenge because not everybody has the focus or the discipline to get this off the ground.

Another challenge is that it’s a little bit harder to integrate into a community. When you’re at a college or university in person, sometimes it can feel easier to make contacts, however, with digital platforms, it can feel a little bit trickier.

Also, it may also be lonely. It is a bit of a challenge to sit by yourself day in and day out and try to learn and study alone. This may not be everyone everyone’s cup of tea, therefore, for those who are interested in E-learning, keep the opportunities and obstacles in mind.

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Shirley Owen: Shirley Owen is a blogger and writer who enjoys writing blogs on education, technology and general news. An avid reader, she follows all the latest news & developments to report on them through her articles.