(Sources: http://www.kurukuru.edu.gy/moodle/file.php/1/e-learning.jpg) As defined, E-learning is "the delivery of a learning, training or education program by electronic means". [1] In other words, it is a learning process where the medium of instruction is by using technologies.
The education in Malaysia has started to improve from face-to-face learning to distance learning, and until recent years, most of the universities and colleges have started to adopt e-learning. Distance learning was begun in the late 1980's in Malaysia. MARA University of Technology (UiTM) is one of the Universities that offering distance learning in 1990. UiTM decided to use e-learning in 1997 but it was not successful due to lack of resources, such as technology knowledge and skill, and high initial investment. On December 1998 was the first lauched of e-learning system, 70 students enrolled by the time had increase up to 2,000 in 2006.
The above is the example that proved that there are more and more students are using e-learning system. Furthermore, there are more and more universities had moved to e-learning such as Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia Institute of Management, Open University Malaysia, Universiti Teknology Malaysia (UTM) and others. Obviously, the benifits (pros) of e-learning has raised the number of students and universities to adopt this system. But in fact, there are some disadvantages (cons) as well.
The education in Malaysia has started to improve from face-to-face learning to distance learning, and until recent years, most of the universities and colleges have started to adopt e-learning. Distance learning was begun in the late 1980's in Malaysia. MARA University of Technology (UiTM) is one of the Universities that offering distance learning in 1990. UiTM decided to use e-learning in 1997 but it was not successful due to lack of resources, such as technology knowledge and skill, and high initial investment. On December 1998 was the first lauched of e-learning system, 70 students enrolled by the time had increase up to 2,000 in 2006.
The above is the example that proved that there are more and more students are using e-learning system. Furthermore, there are more and more universities had moved to e-learning such as Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia Institute of Management, Open University Malaysia, Universiti Teknology Malaysia (UTM) and others. Obviously, the benifits (pros) of e-learning has raised the number of students and universities to adopt this system. But in fact, there are some disadvantages (cons) as well.Pros:
By having e-learning, students are able to get accurate clarification easily from thier tutors or lecturers regarding to thier studies. E-learning is a medium of learning that allow students to join the discussion in the bulletin board. By this way, it can foster the relationship and interaction among the students and lecturers.
Besides that, e-learning allows students to get teaching materials and any other resources through the e-libraries. It can reduce the travel time and travel cost as students does not need purposely go back to school and get all the information and teaching materials that they are needed.
By having e-learning, students are able to get accurate clarification easily from thier tutors or lecturers regarding to thier studies. E-learning is a medium of learning that allow students to join the discussion in the bulletin board. By this way, it can foster the relationship and interaction among the students and lecturers.
Besides that, e-learning allows students to get teaching materials and any other resources through the e-libraries. It can reduce the travel time and travel cost as students does not need purposely go back to school and get all the information and teaching materials that they are needed.
With a laptop and internet connection, student can actually learn and study anytime anywhere.
Cons:
However, e-learning will lead to lack of face-to-face communication between students and lecturers, and this will in turn cause to some misunderstanding. Lecturers cannot really understand what a student's need, demand, interest and motivation, while for students, they may not understand what a lecturer's want as well. This will lose the students' direction and get confuse about the course activities.
In addition, e-learning can demotivate students. Slow internet connection will cause students get frustrated when accessing for teaching materials. Besides, students that are lazy or with bad habit learning will cause them fall behind, which will cause them unable to catch up the syllabus. As a result, the scope of students' knowledge will be lower.
Sometimes, lecturers or tutors may not be available at the times students need thier help.
As a conclusion, e-learning will bring to both pros and cons to students. Therefore, solutions are needed to overcome those problems.
In addition, e-learning can demotivate students. Slow internet connection will cause students get frustrated when accessing for teaching materials. Besides, students that are lazy or with bad habit learning will cause them fall behind, which will cause them unable to catch up the syllabus. As a result, the scope of students' knowledge will be lower.
Sometimes, lecturers or tutors may not be available at the times students need thier help.
As a conclusion, e-learning will bring to both pros and cons to students. Therefore, solutions are needed to overcome those problems.
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4 comments:
OMG... Malaysia already have e-learning? I only know that from u your blog. I had learn so much from here. Thank you. Hope you continue blogging ya..
from: fish foo :P
Agree with you. E-learning really is a good method for those who want to learn but lack of times. Save times, save cost and can learn it everywhere.
Although e-learning is good, in my opinion e-learning is not suitable for Malaysia at the moment now.
Why i want to say so? First, attitude problem. As i know, most of the student nowaday, don't know how to control learn. They only know how to memorize and sit for exam.
As you mention in your blog, E-learning will lead to lack of face-to-face communication between students and lecturers. If they using back the old method like memorize all the teaching material, what else for using back the e-learning.
E-learning need to have a positive attitude. If this issue cannot be solved, then i'm not suggested University in Malaysia start use e-learning.
Fish Foo,
Yeah, e-learning has started in Malaysia for quite some times, but it does not receive good respond initially. Firstly, it is because e-learning is still new. Secondly, as I had mention in my post, it is due to lack of technology skill. But somehow, most of the Universities in Malaysia are using this e-learning system in recent years and many people take part of it.
Monica,
Thanks for your good opinion. Well, e-learing students must really have a good discipline. As I have written in the post, bad habit learners will fall behind because they might not touch their studies at all until exam coming. But at least for traditional method, students are required to attend classes or discuss assignements with thier classmates.
About most Malaysian's studying style - memorizing, I think no matter what method they learn (either e-learning or traditional way), most of them will still memorize it just for the sake of exam. From my opinion, memorizing is not an issue for e-learning, as methods of studying is students' preference or maybe.. just their choice.
The fact is, there are many universities in Malaysia had started e-learning system, so I believe it must be beneficial and therefore they are using this system.
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