E-Learning in India

Chahat Sahani1
Assistant Professor, GEU Dehradun
(chahatsahani@geu.ac.in)
Sakshi Bansal2
Student, GEU Dehradun
( bansal.s0412@gmail.com )

ABSTRACT
Almost every student in the current period has come across the term E-learning, and every
aspect of the education and training system enthusiastically examines and applies E-learning
in some way. The term "e-learning" refers to a broad idea. It encompasses a wide range of
techniques and approaches. It is frequently used to describe the domains of online learning,
web-based teaching, and technology-assisted instruction as a single phrase. With the
incredible growth of the Internet, educators have attempted to use it as a communication
route to connect remote learners to their learning resources. In modern education, e-learning
raises awareness and provides a larger degree of flexibility to both the educator and learner.
As, now everybody is concerned about educational development and growth, E-learning
activities plays the important role for the same. E-learning can refer to a variety of things,
and it is interpreted differently by actors in various roles. E-Learning is a broad phrase that
refers to a variety of apps and activities. The current advancements in India through E-
learning, it’s importance and effectiveness are examined in this research study with the goal
of understanding the rapid popularity that the concept of e-learning is obtaining, as well as its
potential to become the focal point of India's education sector's development in the near
future.

INTRODUCTION
E-Learning is a word which basically means electronic learning wherein the information and
instructions are delivered electronically. It basically depends on computer system, mobile
phones and internet. E-learning aims to disseminate knowledge irrespective of the availability
of physical classroom. hence, it reduces the hindrances of time and place utility. E-learning can
be done through prerecorded content or live content which may include use of moodle system,
LMS, live games & quizzes. With the advancement of technology nowadays E-learning can be
accessed by wide variety of population. Traditional mode of teaching is being replaced by E-
learning system. E-learning system has gained popularity among students during pandemic
situation (COVID19). The efficiency of E-learning system can be improved by the instructor
by making its learner technology friendly and imparting best of its knowledge through E-
learning pedagogy.
Teaching has been a part of our life for generations and will continue to be, but the discipline
has experienced massive change in recent years, and e-learning is one of the most current
examples. E-learning activities are governed by a variety of factors, including changing student
expectations and behavior, cost-cutting, performance improvement, and active participation.
The adoption of e-learning has become very simple, and in some respects, obvious, as a result
of modern life. Students are adopting E-Learning very happily as it has made their life easy and
simple.
As with the growing acceptance of technology among students or learners, e-learning usage is 
expected to rise with time. As everything comes with its pros and cons, E-learning might also h
ave some benefits and drawbacks too. When E-learning is compared with
traditional classroom-based teaching it is found that E-learning is comparatively inexpensive, c
an be accessed from anywhere and covenient too but there are doubts about its effectiveness El
earning may lack involvement and practical experience. Individual learning is influenced by
interaction and practical experience, and a lack of same surely creates a gap that impacts the
quality of learning offered through the e-learning system.
E-learning is gaining momentum as a viable teaching and learning option. Various reasons for
growing popularity of E-learning are, it enables learners to learn from any corner of the world
and master any skills they want, more affordable and flexible. However, interactivity still
remains a challenge. According to previous research educator needs to focus on active
participation of learners in order to increase the utility derived from E-learning systems. The
lack of interaction among students affects their capabilities to connect socially with each other
and share knowledge. One should always try to create a connect among students just like
traditional classroom-based teaching.
When we see from the corporate point of view, E-learning has come out as one of the best
methods mainly when it comes to conduct training programs for employees who are able to
acquire different skill set, attend different business conferences or seminars even by sitting in
different corners of the world. The organizations which embrace E-learning systems are ahead
of the market compared to those who are still stick to traditional methods.
Though without a question, it is critical to advance the concept of non-electronic learning
through lectures and books but the value and effectiveness of electronic learning cannot be
overlooked. The human brain is thought to be capable of remembering and can relate more to
what they saw and heard such as moving videos. Visuals, not only maintains the student's
attention but also retains it for long term. E-learning also contributes in the growth of economy
as nowadays, every sector (pharmacy, agriculture, education and business or government
organizations, etc.) are adapting this change.
The E-learning system has gain so much popularity and importance in the pandemic situation.
As all the educational institutes were closed, so it creates obstacles for learners. So, E-learning
comes out as a solution which enables educators to deliver information or knowledge to
learners through various digital platforms. In starting, both the parties that is learner and
educator find it difficult to adapt this change but the continuous efforts of educators and
learning attitude of learners made them familiar with this. Everyone started accepting and
enjoying this change as it is user friendly. Before pandemic E-learning was not that much
accepted but now most educational institutions are looking into and embracing e-learning to
make it easier for students to adjust to their new normal.
It also provides new business opportunities for different firms as many Edu-tech companies
were established. The focus is to provide ease of teaching and learning to educators and
learners respectively. E-learning has fixed its roots particularly in the sphere of modern
education. The present paper will be focusing on the importance, effectiveness , acceptance and
various aspects of E-learning.

Characteristics of E-Learning
 E-Learning promise is that it will provide powerful new tools for boosting competency,
capability, speed, and performance, whether an organization works in one or many
locations.
 Because there is a learning demand, Every E-learning course is established.
 An E-learning course is tailored to a specific audience and their requirements.
 E-learning development follows a streamlined procedure.
 E-learning is self-paced and accessible to a larger group of people.

Benefits of E-Learning
 E-Learning is self-directed and self-paced –
It allows learners and its users to decide the time they want to spend on a particular topic,
which helps them to allocate their time on different topics.
This individualistic approach generally allows learners to complete their learning process much
faster as compared to traditional mode of learning.
 E-Learning is learner oriented-
All the activities in E-Learning portal, are created with keeping learner’s need and
requirements in mind as they are the essence of this system.
 E-Learning promotes interactivity-
E-Learning that incorporates a range of multimedia increases student interest and their
involvement, which completely changes the learning experience and make it more interesting
and interactive for both – educator and learner.
 E-Learning is Versatile-
It allows physically or otherwise challenged students to participate more completely because
learning may take place anytime and anyplace as long as the proper equipment is available.
 E-Learning provides Continuous and Effective Learning-
All of the target learners can engage at the same time and receive the same information,
reducing the unpredictability that several sessions in different places can introduce.

Limitations of E-Learning
 The learner and educator both must have basic equipment – a system and an internet
connection. They should also have at least basic knowledge of computer.
 All of the existing E-Learning approaches in education tend to make students lack of
engagement. As a result, many students and teachers who inevitably spend a significant
amount of time online may begin to show signs of social isolation as a result of the lack
of human interaction in their lives. The combination of social isolation and a lack of
communication can lead to a variety of mental health difficulties, including increased
stress, anxiety, and negative thinking.
 Lack of self-motivation among students is still one of the most common causes for
students failing to complete online courses. Numerous variables in typical classrooms
constantly push students toward their learning objectives. Face-to-face communication
with professors, peer-to-peer activities, and stringent time management all work
together to keep learners on track during their learning.
 Not all academic subjects get fit in e-learning. At least for the time being. Social science
and humanities are better suited to e-learning than scientific subjects like medical
science and engineering, which require a certain amount of hands-on experience.

How E-Learning Gain Popularity During Covid-19?

The Covid-19 has resulted in closing down of all schools all over the world, which brings a
drastic change in education system. With this, concept of E-Learning has gain popularity where
learning can be done remotely with the help of digital platforms. Different researches showed
that E-learning increase retention of information. In response to emerging demand of E-
learning, many Edu-tech companies came into picture like BYJU’S. Also, it provides different
business opportunities to various companies like Zoom, WebEx, Microsoft Teams, etc. To
meet the high and varied demands of learners, online businesses have expanded their
infrastructure, added new courses, and increased their human resources. In these hard times,
online learning has now matured and demonstrated its worth.

CONCLUSION
In E – Learning technology acts as a medium to face-to-face teaching and learning process. An
integrated classroom and online teaching-learning process is supported by a blended e-learning
model. Prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, e-learning in India was never considered seriously. This
abrupt shift in education has provided instructors and students with a plethora of new teaching
and learning opportunities. Hence created rooms for creativity. After pandemic situation more
stress was laid on providing education to students online by various e-learning platforms. E-
learning system has completely changed the traditional form of classroom teaching. It totally
depends on teacher delivering through e –learning technologies that how they create
environment wherein student thinks in critical manner as teacher or instructor has to make
his/her student user friendly to various e learning technologies so that they fit in to e-learning
system. There are various benefits of e-learning system as it leads to greater student
concentration, student engagement, easy problem solving. E-classes were helpful to students
during pandemic situation in some schools and universities blended mode of education was
being conducted. Studies found that students were satisfied with e-classes as students believe
that offline classes are good but e-classes are good as well convenient for them too.
Technology is not merely an approach for having positive impacts of learning rather a larger
vision of enabling technology is required   to help students learn better and teachers teach better
is required. As a result, solutions to issues such as pricing, accessibility, delivery mode, and
content are needed. Due to advancement of technology digital class rooms were made possible.
Through E-learning system place and time hindrance were being removed as   high-quality
education is offered across all domains and locations, as well as improving teacher efficiency in
impoverished and emerging countries. There is certain hindrance and barriers in e-learning
system this leads to slow adaption of e-learning in India. The major problem is in rural area as
there is a disparity between rural and urban areas, lack of technology in rural areas, poor
connectivity. As e-learning system has gained importance and improved the education system
so government should aim to reduce the barriers for adoption of e – learning system by helping
in growth of the economy by reducing economic disparities, upliftment of rural areas,
improving network connectivity. E-learning has a bright future in India, and becoming the
country's next big thing. It is unlikely, however, will put back traditional learning; rather, both
models will coexist. 

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