Can we learn online?

One  of  the  most longstanding  debates  in  the  field  of education has been whether or not we can benefit from e-learning to actually learn. Do we, as human beings, have the ability to soak up information in this fashion, and can we truly learn new skills and expand our knowledge by learning virtually? We realize the reservations of people who will argue that computers promote procrastination and offer distractions, however we owe it to ourselves to dig a little deeper and see the other side of the coin that pinpoints the unique advantages of learning online.

It's true that as individuals we don't all respond to one teaching method in the same way - some learn visually, and others learn with repetition or writing; some prefer to learn by themselves, whilst others need someone to guide them all along the way; some are extroverts and feel comfortable talking in front of people, whilst others are introverts and are afraid to communicate openly inside the classroom. E-learning responds to those different needs with the use of different tools and a variety of materials. For example, e-learning commonly offers audiovisual content or interactive testing on the go that can be more attractive for younger learners than traditional books. E-learning also lets people communicate through email, forum or chat, allowing even introverts to take part in related conversations.

E-Learning, in comparison with traditional learning, significantly reduces the time needed to locate information.  It also  offers  access  to  online  resources, databases, periodicals, journals and other material you wouldn't normally have access to from a  library. If a student has trouble understanding part of the coursework, finding tips on the matter couldn't be easier than having immediate access to supplementary, unlimited and mostly free material online! Those characteristics can potentially maximize the time spent actually  learning  rather  than  looking  for  information
(note   however   that   seeking   information   can   be   a learning process in and of itself! – the word serendipity describes exactly that, the accident of finding something good or useful even when not specifically searching for it).

Learning online in practice!

Universities already embrace the power of e-learning to deliver content to students all over the world, even for free. At a time in which universities are under great pressure  to  deliver  education,  combining  technology with education is integral to coming up with a final product that will empower the educational institution, set it apart, and allow it to grow its student base worldwide. Harvard and MIT are just two of the most well-known universities that have launched programs focused on offering classes online for free. Harvard videotapes its lectures and puts them online, so even its own student body can view and review them in case they missed a lecture or need to review a section.

Coursera is a hub for universities that choose to offer online classes through its platform for free. Already, companies and corporations spanning the globe accept certificates of completion of classes offered in Coursera as valid credits, as if they had been completed at the university of origin. The material is essentially the same, the  difference  is  the  medium.  Harvard  for  example, takes the delivery of online courses very seriously, delivering live classes which are recorded and delivered online.  Harvard has even  launched a specially designed section within its campus, employing videographers and specialists to design and create the perfect content to be delivered through its online platform.

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