Introduction
Learning is a complicated process of acquiring new skills and abilities, depending on the educational setting. All learners resort to different learning strategies: direct and indirect. Each student chooses how they will learn: memorization, cognition, and compensation. The variety of techniques and competence allows a person to learn a foreign language responsibly from different angles. However, there is a question of applying these strategies to varying types of learning: online (e-learning) and face-to-face (F2F). The traditional way of learning suits most students not because of its convenience but because of habit. It is understandable and is agitated by teachers and parents who do not understand the merits of e-learning. However, e-learning allows many people to learn new knowledge quickly because it is the most accessible. E-learning has many advantages that make it the most convenient way to learn. These advantages include mastering modern technology, proper time management, and developing personal qualities that positively affect learners’ academic success.
E-Learning is the Key to Academic and Work Success
Before discussing the benefits of e-learning, it is worth outlining this process. E-learning is a learning process that allows one to obtain knowledge in an electronic remote access format. It dramatically increases the number of students who can get free courses in relevant areas. The concept of e-learning of modern type has developed together with technologies of Internet connections. It includes the possibility to download additional materials from almost any place, transfer the completed task, and consult with the teacher. It seems that e-learning is already winning over F2F because it gives opportunities to many more people. However, one needs to focus on the key advantages of today’s world and contribute to employment.
Modern technology is a set of rational ways of organizing space and time that increase the comfort of life. Technology in learning includes modern machines, electronic systems, and unique approaches to information assimilation. However, in e-learning, it is worth focusing on the first component. Technology does not stand still, electronic computing machines are developing, and scientists continue to improve artificial intelligence (Scott 182). In e-learning, the ability to learn the material through electronic systems is one of the advantages of the F2F strategy. Video conferences and online consultations simplify the learning processes, and educational portals make it possible to study anywhere in the world. Moreover, e-learning allows students to master new information search systems and work with modern computer applications like Google Slides or Virtual Box (Scott 188). And technologies like AI enable students to check their knowledge and solve problems quickly. Thus, modern technology allows students to increase their academic and working success through e-learning systems.
Today’s world is fast, requiring people to adapt to the constantly changing environment. Due to e-learning, students gain and develop time management skills to absorb new knowledge fully. Unlike the traditional way of learning, the online format does not require students to travel to a university or college. It dramatically increases their learning time. In addition, e-learning uses time frames that limit the time to complete an assignment (Ahmad et al. 193). As a result, students become more responsible and manage their learning intelligently. It is believed that there is a mutual correlation between academic success and time management capabilities. It manifests itself in the alternation of work and rest, planning, and good work with others. Adequate time management expands boundaries and gives access to related or additional majors (Ahmad et al. 196). Thus, time management skills acquired in e-learning make students versatile and competent professionals.
The e-learning process reveals students’ personal qualities that may not appear in traditional learning. Researchers point to motivation, conscientiousness, and self-efficacy as the triad of fully developed qualities in online learning (Alkis and Tugba 42). Traditional education with long lectures and a lack of attention can reduce overall learning effectiveness. In addition, without awareness, students lose motivation because they are not supported. Diligence is a quality few people have: cheating and quibbling can accompany entry-level college courses (Alkis and Tugba 44). Unfortunately, they can persist in high school courses, but in e-learning, this problem is less common. Online courses and programs are often individualized and require responsibility, so e-learning is more likely to have conscientious students. Self-efficacy is a quality that occurs equally in both traditional and online learning. However, it can be argued that productivity is higher in e-learning because of the concentration on specific subjects. Personal qualities are revealed online due to uniquely chosen courses, specialization, and feedback.
The Flipside of E-Learning
E-learning is an accessible way of learning that is gaining relevance for many reasons. Many universities are beginning to resort to a combined education model and pay attention to F2F and e-learning. This type is the most convenient for students because it combines familiar ways of traditional learning and new strategies. However, opponents of e-learning continue to point to its inaccessibility and limited capabilities and operate on the strain on the visual system.
E-learning has challenges: Internet connectivity, task control, and health burdens. Researchers note that many middle and high school students still lack access to computers and tablets that would allow them to switch to an online format. In poorer countries, the issue of online learning is not even raised because gaining applied skills is more necessary than learning about computer science or management (Mesfin et al. 160). This argument is the strongest one, but it is irrational to use it when arguing about the benefits of e-learning because it points out the shortcomings of the general education system.
When comparing the traditional way and e-learning, one needs to pay attention to two points: time and money. The Tradition format is often expensive, and scholarship programs are presented either at the undergraduate or graduate level. In contrast, e-learning is more affordable, and many universities open online courses for free: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for example, offers certificate programs. Because of this, the availability of e-learning is much higher than that of F2F learning. As previously discussed, time is another critical factor: with F2F, students spend time on transportation and work to pay for tuition. It reduces the amount of time that can be spent learning a new program. By combining these criteria, students may feel uncomfortable, and their overall condition may worsen. Burnout or depression is not conducive to gaining new knowledge but only leads to a lack of motivation.
Conclusion
Thus, e-learning is a unique educational process that is easier and faster to access. E-learning provides knowledge for all population categories and has several advantages that contribute to academic and work success. Mastering modern technology allows you to work across industries and adapt quickly. Students can organize training and improve time-management skills, thanks to which they simultaneously develop in several directions. E-learning is a great platform to develop personal qualities: conscientiousness and self-efficacy. One may judge that e-learning is not available to many people and hurts eyesight, but traditional education in most countries is paid, and students cannot devote much time to it. It leads to burnout and deterioration of vision and general condition. Due to the listed characteristics, e-learning is a predominant part of the educational process of the modern student.
Works Cited
Ahmad, Saghir, Batool, Ayesha and Choudhry Abid Hussain. “Path Relationship of Time Management and Academic Achievement of Students in Distance Learning Institutions.” Pakistan Journal of Distance and Online Learning, 2019, v. 5, no. 2, p. 191-208.
Alkıs, Nurcan, and Tugba Taskaya Temizel. “The Impact of Motivation and Personality on Academic Performance in Online and Blended Learning Environments.” Journal of Educational Technology & Society, vol. 21, no. 3, International Forum of Educational Technology & Society, 2018, pp. 35-47.
Mesfin, Gebremariam, et al. “Enhanced Agility of E-Learning Adoption in High Schools.” Journal of Educational Technology & Society, vol. 21, no. 4, International Forum of Educational Technology & Society, 2018, pp. 157-170.
Scott, David. “Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Learning.” On Learning: A General Theory of Objects and Object-Relations, UCL Press, 2021, pp. 181-193.