e-Learning systems Essay Example for Free

e-Learning systems Essay Online learning or e-Learning refers to the application of electronic technology for the delivery of instructional content or knowledge domains. Beamish et al. defines e-Learning as: â€Å". . . a wide set of applications and processes allied to training and learning that includes computer-based learning, online learning, virtual classrooms and digital collaboration. These services can be delivered by a variety of electronic media, including the intranet, internet, interactive TV and satellite † Despite the great flexibility and wide range of tools that e-Learning provides to imparting education, the implementation of such can be a complicated and complex undertaking. Likewise, online learning it can be a frustrating task for both the students and the teachers alike. A number of personal barriers affect students and teachers alike in any online learning system. Personal Barriers of Students The nature of the course content is greatly affected by the technology that is within the access of the students. Students may simply not have the required bandwidth to access high-end multimedia content. The course designer has to tailor the contents to suit the technology availability of the students. This is especially true of e-Learning courses catering to international students scattered all over the world. Due to the limits that technology brings, it is but inevitable that the universities and schools have several restrictions for the students that is conveyed to them during the admission process. In fact, many universities take special care to ensure prior to registration that their respective e-Learning course content is accessible to the students. â€Å"Technical infrastructure deficiencies on the student side can impede course activities, especially in an online distance-learning environment† (Arabasz 42). The proficiency level of the student in using ICT tools would enhance or undermine his e-Learning experience to a great extent. In the international context it would be unwise to expect uniform familiarity with ICT usage. A student, previously not exposed to ICT, will therefore not only have to handle the course requirements, but will also have to acquire the necessary skills in ICT to pursue the course effectively. From the learner perspective, literacy and IT skills, aptitude for self-direction, confidence, and motivation in participating in the online courses have also been identified as potential barriers to effective online learning (Australian Institute for Social Research 15). The factor that students have to study alone in an e-Learning system has caused certain issues to arise. Many perceive this isolation as disadvantageous to the development of e-Learning systems for higher education. Brouner and Flowers even suggested that the lack of human interactions due to the technology introduced into higher education would have to be compensated by increased human contact . The e-Learning environment lacks the discipline and time regulations imposed on students in conventional education. This requires students to be more motivated, better time managers and more attentive during e-Learning sessions.