According to Eurostat statistics, 90% of the European Union has access to the Internet, and so do 71% of Latin Americans. In addition, 90% of Americans have Internet access in the USA.
It is clear that the vast majority of people have access to digital media, so it is not surprising that distance education is gaining more and more ground, especially, after the confinement as a result of the pandemic. At that moment, we could appreciate the didactic advantages that technology has to offer when studying.
But, have you ever heard about e-learning? Many people confuse it by associating it only with a learning process in which computers are used, but it is a concept that goes beyond that. So, we will show you what E-Learning is and what it is used for.
What is e-learning?
The word e-learning comes from the English “Electronic Learning”, which can be translated into Spanish as “Aprendizaje Electrónico”. It refers to any educational activity that is carried out through a device that is connected to the network. So, it is also known as tele-training, virtual learning or online training.
On the other hand, it is also often confused with learning through computers in a classroom, which is a misconception, because e-learning means distance education, whose communication is possible thanks to the Internet connection. While in a face-to-face class, these tools can be used, if the teacher and student are physically in the same place, but it is not e-learning. In this case, it can be said that it is a traditional class despite the use of modern equipment.
Similarly, there are institutions that apply a hybrid learning, which is called B-learning. It is a combination of telematic training and classroom teaching, and it is an ideal methodology for those who are not fully familiar with digital tools, but want to learn.
What is e-learning used for?
Everyone needs education in order to acquire new knowledge and improve or update the knowledge they already have in a certain area. Many people are looking for any type of specialization, and due to the advantages offered by distance education through e-learning, it has become a trend that cannot be ignored.
In fact, it is in Latin America where there is a higher volume of distance education. According to Ambient Insight’s report, it is growing by about 15% every year.
Therefore, e-learning is used to provide distance education or online education, becoming a very efficient tool for those who cannot or do not want to go to a classroom.
Advantages and disadvantages of e-learning
It cannot be denied that e-learning is recognized for its easy accessibility in all senses. For this reason, its growth has been rapid and continues increasing. Thus, it is becoming one of the favorite options for users and companies, who can enjoy the following advantages:
- Variety of content: this is one of the main reasons why its popularity has grown rapidly.
- It is economical: compared to face-to-face education, e-learning is a much cheaper alternative because an online platform needs less maintenance in comparison with the facilities of a real place.
- You choose your own schedule and advance at your own pace: in e-learning, you can choose your own schedule. Imagine a virtual classroom that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, where you can enjoy interesting and didactic content. In addition, in most cases you can view the content as many times as you want for as long as you want. So, you can advance at your own pace without pressure.
As you can see, there are three outstanding advantages that make e-learning one of the best options when carrying out a learning process. This is an ideal option for those who would like to specialize in a certain area. On the other hand, among its disadvantages, it should be noted that many people are not familiar with this type of digital tools. In addition, it is best to take into account those platforms with good reputation; since the best is to have the support of professionals in the area that can facilitate the learning process. It should be inclusive for those who are not very skilled with the use of technology, representing a good support for teaching and learning in a virtual space that allows a quick familiarization.
