Opportunities and Challenges of ELearning

Case study of Pakistan

Definition of E-learning
E-learning is otherwise called web based learning or electronic learning. It is the securing of
information which happens through electronic advances and media. As it were, e-learning is
characterized as "discovering that is empowered electronically". Much of the time, e-learning is
done on the Internet, where learning materials can be gotten to by the understudies online at
wherever and whenever. Generally, e-learning happens as online courses, online degrees, or
online projects.

Introduction
One of the most promising methods of learning is e-learning in data and correspondence
advancements (ICT). Customary eye to eye homeroom based instructing has been supplanted by
E-learning with the dynamic and nonlinear access of information. Besides, it gives more
affordable and better approaches for cooperation and network between clients. E-learning can be
portrayed as "an instrument to improve instruction utilizing the PC organize innovation,
commonly through electronic media like web, intranet and extranet by providing data to clients
paying little heed to existence limitations, likewise better use of online correspondence,
preparing, sharing and move of information" (Cheng, 2011). E-learning is a move towards
sharing of information and coordinated effort among clients to improve their insight and abilities
in the computerized time (Jan, et al., 2012). Another significant value of e-learning is to give an
intuitive domain to clients through innovation of PC like online conversation discussions,
instructional exercises, live streaming, online reference material, self-learning and gathering
ventures (Wu, et al., 2012; Duan, et al., 2010). A stage has been given by the E-figuring out how
to the understudies where they can move their thoughts and information to their co-individuals

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and educators also. Because of its intelligent condition and improved joint effort, essentialness of
E-learning frameworks is broadly acknowledged and perceived. E-learning supplies the help that
supports the learning procedure of the student. Thusly, it is expected to extend the appropriation
pace of the e-learning.

Literature review

"As an instructive procedure, E-learning can be comprehended by utilizing data and

correspondence advancements to make preparing, to disseminate learning content,
correspondence among understudies and instructors and for the executives of studies" (Wagner,
2005). E-learning can be alluded to various learning settings. In this paper, we use e-figuring out
how to recommend to practically any learning condition in which electronic media, similar to
PCs, are utilized as a bit of an instructive conveyance framework. It can develop from utilizing
Email to supplement print-based materials spread a good ways off to courses that are given
completely by methods for innovation like PCs or the World Wide Web. E-taking in has created
from its predecessor, specifically separation learning. Separation taking in connected numerous
students from everywhere throughout the world, basically on account of its adaptability. It isn't
astonished to see an ever increasing number of organizations wandering into the e-learning
organizations, when the worldwide market for e-learning in 2002 came to US$90 billion (Yong,
2003). Another case refered to by Morgan (2001) alludes to Fortune Magazine's estimation in
May 2000 that the internet learning business sector will reach US$22 billion by 2003. These
figures appear to propose a brilliant market for eLearning. The acknowledgment of e-learning
isn't will undoubtedly working grown-ups who are looking for higher capabilities without
finding employment elsewhere and losing their winning force (Lau, 2003). This pattern is getting
more prominent in size, as the Internet and PC innovation become far reaching as a day by day
need of the more youthful age. As per Lau (2003), research uncovered that 16 to 18-year-old
young people are truly sharp towards on-line learning or eLearning. Regardless of e-learning's
present fame, does it have any impediments? Evan and Hasse (2001) discovered that students are
respectably ailing in PC capability and, since e-learning is fixated on PC advancements, it is a

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hindrance to those students without great PC aptitudes. What's more, investigations of Evan and
Hasse (2001), O'Regan (2003) and Rovai and Jordan (2004) discovered that students face
restricted physical communications among themselves in e-learning. The principle goal of this
paper is to investigate a few restrictions and openings in this learning strategy. E-learning has a
similar importance with "innovation improved learning (TEL), PC based guidance (CBI), PC
based preparing (CBT), PC helped guidance or PC supported guidance (CAI), web based
preparing (IBT), electronic preparing (WBT), online instruction, virtual training, virtual learning
situations (VLE) (which are otherwise called learning stages), m-learning, and computerized
instructive collaboration"(E-learning, 2013). E-learning difficulties the conventional methods of
preparing and learning, and gives new answers for issues. For instance, the job of educators is
likely changing from merchants of information to expeditors of information (Haverila and
Barkhi, 2009).

Methods
To accomplish the goals of this examination, writing survey was completed so as to investigate
the best E-learning in Pakistan. We collected data with the help of secondary sources.
Universities offering ODL (open and distance learning) are studied and their existing programs.
Issues and challenges and opportunities have been focused and policy recommendations are
suggested.

Discussion
Status of E learning in Pakistan

Since the year 2001, Status of E-learning in Pakistan has seen that the Pakistan's administration
(GOP) has seen the prerequisite of coming out current innovations with the arrangement of
customary training. In the year 2002, Virtual University (VU) has been shaped to arrive at the
necessary necessities of the considerable number of understudies inside and outside the nation
(Qureshi, et al., 2010). In 2007, Pakistan's administration and the Ministry of Information and
Technology delivered a National ICT R&D Fund and asked the proposition from IT associations
and programming organizations to make the e-learning and assessment framework. It is
completely instructed by the Higher Education Commission regarding Pakistan that colleges

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need to set up the videoconferencing and Learning Management Systems in their grounds to get
by with the most up to date instructive innovation. This examination additionally investigated on
the availability of PC, protection issues, specialized help and language are the imperative notable
difficulties of executing eLearning in Pakistan (Qureshi, et al., 2010). Aside from this, segment
and logical segment assume a directing job for the use of e-learning in a creating nation like
Pakistan. It is required to develop a tweaked e-learning for unmistakable gathering of
administrators which is the precondition to develop advanced education (Nawaz and Kundi,
2010). Building up nations' social, social, relevant, socioeconomics, government and
authoritative Life Science Journal 2014;11(4s) 80 Without maintenance of software, hardware
and technology support, teachers and students’ intention to cope with new technology is
compromised. Author also identified that knowledge and communication gap among users,
developers and policy makers may cause to negligent. The most challenging problem in HEIs of
developing countries like Pakistan is to make the infrastructure, services and facilities at
institutional level (Nawaz & Khan, 2012). There is great number of contextual dissimilarities in
developed and developing countries versions which consequences in low class unless contextual
factors are revised locally (Basar, et al., 2013). Prosperous assumption of e-Learning requires
pointing out the relationship with the social context within which it is nearly applied because the
effective eLearning model in UK may be unsuccessful in Pakistan (Khan, et al., 2013). In the
context of HEIs of Pakistan, another study inquired the successful incorporation of ICT requires
the success and failure factors for technology adoption. The critical factors should be examined
and came out into locally developed implementation model (Nawaz, et al., 2011). (Basar, et al.,
2013) indicated that absence of local research to note the users’ visions and their needs in the
local context. It is not thinkable to start the new ICTs without extensive research of the local
opinion. New technology incorporation thoroughly relies on technology adoption into the
currently operating social practice, policy and purpose of the local community. Although, it is
warmly required to know that how to implement e-learning efficiently in the traditional
educational system to improve the learning operation. As a result, it is also able to know the
factors influencing intentions of students to use e-learning which eventually boost up students’
motivation about e-learning. So, it is important to manage such type of research which treats
more rigorously with students’ adoption, intention and continued use of e-learning. In order to
label the said problem, this study try to fill up this space in the literature by developing a

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conceptual model to recognize the critical factors influencing students’ intention to participate in
e-learning systems, as well as suggesting recommendations to enhance this participation for
more learning outcomes.

Growth of E- Learning in Pakistan

The global market of E-learning is likely to wide notably during the years. The global growth
rate in 2012-2016 is believed to be about 7.9% yearly with revenues reaching$51.5 billion by
2016. The Asian E-Learning market has the far up combined annual growth rate of any global
region, is calculated to get bigger at a rate of 17.3%. Accompanying by the Asian market,
Eastern Europe market is at number second with 16.9%, Africa at 15.2%, and Latin America at
14.6% (Docebo, 2014). The education policy of Pakistan describes a bundle of fresh plans to
improve higher education in the country. For instance, moving away from a static, supply-based
education system to a demand-driven setup with constant correction and modernization of
curricula to keep pace with changing requirements of the job market and for cooperating the new
developments. Many new programs have been started in this concern, for example, The National
Education Testing Service (NETS), National Education Management Information System
(NEMIS) (EPP, 2008). On alike lines, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) has set
on to re-energize interest in advancing the IT industry in Pakistan. The mission statement is to
“rapidly advance the infrastructure in synchrony with the formation of excellently instructed
individuals and teams.” Besides, the key purpose of the Government of Pakistan is to “perform
the role of a started and facilitator for the private sector so that they can avail the opportunities at
its maximum in order to fulfill the thirst of IT in Pakistan (MoST, 2000). It is note taking that in
developing countries, education sector as compared to all other development sectors has been the
most focused sector to improve the quality, proficiency, and ease of access of the learning
process. The purpose of developing a strategic approach is to provide focus and develop
coordination for harnessing the potential advantages of ICT for sustainability of better economic
and social development (Yousaf, 2001).

Why there is a Prospective Need for E- Learning in Pakistan?

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  The existing position of e-learning in Pakistan depicts a promising fate of ICT in
advanced education part. The possible requirement for e-learning in Pakistan is
presently getting a huge consideration. Because of absence of framework and suitable
financing combined with the danger of fear mongering in instructive establishments,
separation learning is progressively turning into a favored decision. The capability of e-
learning in Pakistan can't be completely made an interpretation of because of various
factors, for example, helpless framework, power load shedding, absence of mindfulness
among the populace, obstacles in educational plan advancement and unique
conventional teaching methods. The four elements which are straightforwardly
answerable for effective execution of E-learning in Pakistan to be specific:

 the teachers

 the students

 the institution

 the curriculum

The Current Modes of E-Learning Setup in Pakistan

In Pakistan, the provision of the higher education is about 5 percent which is very low in contrast
with the other countries like Bangladesh which is 7 percent, in India it is 13% percent, in
Malaysia it is 29 percent, in United Kingdom it is 59 percent, in United states it is 82 percent,
and in Finland it is 94 percent. The Pakistani Government has been working in multiple
directions to broaden the provision of higher education. In Pakistan, considerable gap exists
between the number of higher secondary level passed students and the number of students who
get enrolled in universities. The gap exists mainly due to the insufficient number of public sector
universities providing affordable education. There are some universities in Pakistan which are
already giving ELearning for example Allama Iqbal Open University, Virtual University and
COMSATS University etc.

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Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU)
AIOU was established in May, 1974, the main aims were to provide educational opportunities to
masses and to those who cannot leave their houses and work. In the past 34 years, the University
has more than fulfilled this commitment. It is also trying to harness modern information
Technology for spreading education in Pakistan The motive of AIOU for Distance Education
assumed greater relevance and acceptance in Pakistan because of the factors of poverty and
relative deprivation. The rate of literacy, incidence of dropouts, and excess to higher education is
much lower in the poorer classes of Pakistan. The incidence of poverty is much higher in the
rural areas. The AIOU, through its system of Distance Education has, thus, provided
educational opportunities at doorsteps.

Method of teaching
he AIOU gives non-formal technique for collaboration, radio and transmissions, unique course
books and understanding materials and arrangement of study habitats for applied preparing is
spread all through Pakistan.

Study Centers & Information Technology

The idea of study focuses was first utilized in the college for instructing practice in its training
programs. Students which are enrolled in its PTC, CT and B. Ed. programs, were also given
practice of teaching in the chose schools, and assigned as the study centers.

The Radio and Television Programs

The growth of IET and the technical competence has made it feasible for university to create
good quality programs of video and audio and they are on regular basis be broadcasted on the
radio and TV, and they are also transferred to students in audio and video cassettes forms.

The Recent development in Technology of Communication & Information

The recent development in the technology of Information and Communication, specially,
Satellite and the Internet, have transformed the systems of Distant Education in Pakistan.

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Satellite and Internet are extensively being used as a channel of instruction as well as
medium of information.

Virtual University the Virtual University

(VU) had opened its virtual doors in the year 2002, it’s our country’s first university
which is based completely on the modern technologies of Information and Communication
having a clear aim to supply very affordable education of world class to students all over
Pakistan. Using a free to air satellite TV broadcast and Internet, Virtual University has allowed
students to follow the rigorous programs despite of their physical locations. The Pakistani
students who are residing overseas in many other countries of region are also been enrolled in the
programs of University. The Virtual University of Pakistan is delivering its education via good
sense of combination of broadcasts at TV and Internet. Lectures are recorded in very
professional conditions in studio and after the insertion of the slides, the movie clips and the
other materials; they become prepared for the broadcast. The course lectures are broadcasted
over free to air TV and they are made available in form of the multimedia compact disks also.
They are also made available from the Virtual University’s servers as the streaming media. The
different formats allow a high level of flexibility for the students who have to see the lectures at
the same time of their selection of time within a 24 hour period. Moreover, students can also use
the provided lectures to review the entire course prior to their examinations, a facility which is
simply not available in the traditional face to face environment. In addition to prescribed texts,
complete reading material and lecture notes in form of web enabled content are also provided
via complete Learning Management System (LMS) which is hosted on the Virtual university
Web-Servers and is accessible over Internet. Full power of the hyperlinks is used for creating
the online experience very powerful. The LMS is also providing e-mail facilities to the each and
every student with discussion boards for communication within the virtual university
community.

COMSATS Institute of Information Technology

COMSATS Institute of Information Technology had started its journey in 1998. It established its
very first campus in Islamabad, on April 1998 and it has been rated among the top ranked
universities of Pakistan and has been known for its progressive and innovative learning

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technique. CIIT Virtual campus has been started to increase the coverage of quality higher
education in Pakistan by providing chances to those people who cannot attend the universities
due to inflexible timings, cost and cultural barriers. CIIT Virtual Campus will be reaching those
students by offering them sophisticated Distant Learning education programs in country. It is the
only International Journal of Management Sciences 277 public university which is offering the
distant learning programs in the country by the use of the power of today’s information
technology resources.

Other Universities which Adopted Distant Learning in Pakistan

Following the same trend, there are many other universities which are also offering the Distant
Learning Programs, by the help of ICT they have been transferred from Distance Learning to the
Online Programs. Other universities are the Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU), Multan
(1975), The University of Peshawar, Peshawar (1950) The Aga Khan University, Karachi (1983)
and the Government College University, Faisalabad, (2002).

Challenges Hindering the Implementation of E-Learning in Pakistan

There are both internal and external challenges which are being faced by higher education
organizations and institutions in order to develop and practice E-learning. A review of literature
revealed that research studies are continuously identifying the problems related to E-learning
environment. Common as well as different challenges are faced by the teachers, students and
administrators. It is widely reported by the review of literature and broadly accepted by the
researcher in this article that technology is not the problem at all, as a matter of fact in any higher
education institutes the problems that produce or disrupt the process of utilizing digital
opportunities is merely belongs to the human force, social context and political pressure
(Snoeyink & Ertmer, 2001). An evaluation report of Asian Development Bank (2005) of SAP
stated that “there has been no shortage of well-intentioned policies, strategies, and targets for
improving social sector performance in Pakistan, but the level of policy implementation and
attainment has been extremely limited”. The obstructions can be classified as outer (first-request)
or interior (second request) (Keengwe, 2008). It has been uncovered through audit of writing that
the main request hindrances may incorporate gear lack, untrustworthy nature of instruments,
insufficiency of help on mechanical grounds and issues identified with assets. Investigates

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additionally distinguished the second request obstructions which incorporate human issues, for
example, authoritative culture and mental direction of educator as far as creeds related with
instructors educating and protection from change (Snoeyink and Ertmer, 2001). How these first
and second obstructions contrarily impact the activity of ICT in instruction is enrolled beneath.
 Inefficient use of ICT
 Infrastructure of the E-learning
 The Financial problems
 Lack of the adequate Internet bandwidth
 Inefficient policies of operational e-learning
 Inefficient technical abilities
 Inefficient development of the electronic content by teachers
 interest and commitment problem among the teachers regarding usage of E learning
 Insufficient time to develop E-learning content
 Inertia in behavior of the people or their resistance to change

Opportunities of ELearning in Pakistani Universities

 There is a very great opportunity for the students to be adaptive in learning software. As
there is no way to get the classes to the situation would make them to be very adaptive  in
computers and the software.
 As the lectures are delivered through the mobile so there is a very big chance of learning
of the students to sit anywhere and learn without wastage of their time.
 Students are able to join the classes within seconds.
 Due to the reliability of e learning, the availability of resources is every where 
 The Web based learning promotes active learning.

Recommendations
The good results can be obtained in the E-learning by decreasing the cost and improving the
performance. The digital age will make process of education much more transformative if we
become successful in providing E-learners freedom to control and navigating the courses.
Moreover, it is important for teachers to enforce accurate training if they want to get excellence

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in the teaching. Teachers must have to maintain their personality very attractive and competent
for attraction of best applicants in the teaching profession. It is also necessary to redefine the
given salaries and packages of promotion of teachers to get the set of skills available.

Conclusion
Appearance of ICT into Education and business organizations has become increasingly popular
where the main reason now a day is Covid-19. Information technology (IT) is performing a very
vital role in the amplification of the process of e-learning. IT is providing all the recourses for the
e-education system development. Now a day, internet is being used all over the country. People,
who are surfing the internet are in actual the e-learners. The E-learning challenges are much
greater than its advantages. Therefore, it is important for both the HEC & institutions to work
side by side to resolve the challenges discussed above. E-learning, yet has not reached at its best
in Pakistan, as the challenges faced by E-learning must be resolved to make ICT a success for
nation in education. The challenges include infrastructure, software’s of, E-Learning, quality
assurance, training for e learning and the program of faculty development, finance issues,
curriculum development, research periodically or the in-depth analyses.

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