Advantages and disadvantages of e learning to both the trainer and the learner

ADVANTAGES OF E-LEARNING TO THE TRAINER OR ORGANIZATION
Some of the most outstanding advantages to the trainer or organization are;-
- Reduced overall cost is the most influential factor in adopting e-learning. The elimination of costs associated with instructor’s salaries, class room rentals, and student travel, lodging and meals are directly quantifiable. The reduction of time spend away from the job by employees may be the most positive offshoot.
- Learning times reduced at an average of 40 to 60 percent, as found by Brandon Hall ( We –based Training Cookbook, 1997, P. 108 )
- Increased retention and application to job averages and increase of 25 percent over traditional methods, according to an independent study by J.I) Fletcher ( Multimedia Review, Spring 1991. pp 33-42 )
- Consistent delivery of content is possible with asynchronous, self –paced e-learning.
- Expert knowledge is communicated, but more importantly captured, with good e-learning and knowledge management systems.
- Proof of completion and certification, essential elements for training initiatives can be automated
ADVANTAGES TO THE LEARNER
Along with the increased retention, reduced learning time and other aforementioned benefits to students, particular advantages of e-learning include:
- On – demand availability enables students to complete training conveniently at of-hours or from home.
- Self – spacing for slow or quick learners reduces stress and increases satisfaction.
- Interactivity engages users, pushing them rather pulling them through training
- Confidence that refresher or quick reference materials are available reduces burden of responsibility of mastery.
DISADVANTAGES TO THE TRAINER OR ORGANIZATION
e- Learning is not, however, the be all and end all, to every training need. It does have limitations, among them:
- Up-front investment required of an e-learning solution is large due to development costs. Budgets and cash flows will need to be negotiated.
- Technology issues that play a factor include whether the existing technology infrastructure can accomplish the training goals, whether additional technology expenditures can be justified and whether compatibility of all software and hardware can be achieved.
- Inappropriate content for e-learning may exist according to some experts, though are limited in number. Even the acquisition of skills that involve complex physical / motor or emotional components (for example, juggling or mediation) can be augmented with e-learning.
- Cultural acceptance is an issue in organization where student’s demographics and psychographics may predispose them against using computers at all, let alone for e-learning.
DISADVANTAGES TO THE LEARNER
The ways in which e-learning may not excel other training include:
- Technology issue of the learners are most commonly technophobia and unavailability of required technologies
- Portability of training has become strength of e- learning with the proliferation of network linking points, notebook computers, PDAs and mobile phones, but still does not rival that of printed workbooks are reference materials.
- Reduced social and cultural interaction can be a drawback. The impersonality, suppression of communication mechanisms such as body language and elimination of peer-to-peer learning that are part of this potential disadvantages are lessening with advances in communications technologies.

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Titany answered the question on September 15, 2021 at 13:47