A discussion on E-learning offered in Malaysian universities: Pros and Cons from the students perspective

E-learning is the online delivery information for the purpose of education, training or knowledge management. It includes the acquisition of knowledge and skill using electronic technologies such as computer and internet based coursework and local and wide area networks. Multimedia University had started introduces e-learning strategies and it is important for them as e-learning provide distance education and accessibility to students irrespective of their residence.

Pros of E-learning from students’ perspective

Save Costs

Students are able to save up their transportation fees and time to travel to school for classes. Students can straight away having classes in front of computer after wakes up and no need to worry about late for classes. Besides that, it also reduce off the traffic on roads too as student s does not need to drove to school and scare off traffic jam.


Convenient
Student can get online resources, communicate with his tutor or classmates, and get clarifications regarding their subjects and study and access teaching materials through e-libraries. Besides that, student will able to send his query and sit for mid term paper at any time which he can get to access to internet.

Flexibility
In tradition, students need to finish their given assignment in a particular of period, but while E-learning was introduced, it provides flexibility to students as they can finish their projects at whatever time as they find flexible within that particular deadline. Online students have the capability to study at their own pace as students would not be lazy to study on as they need to manage their own time well for studying at own not dependent on any other people.

Fear-free environment
E-learning cans facilities learning for student who may not wish to join face-to-face group discussions or participate in classes. This behavior usually can feature off the reluctance to expose their lack of knowledge in public. E-learning provides a fear-free environment which students can put forth any idea without fear of looking stupid in front of others.

Cons of E-learning from students’ perspective

Lack of face-to-face interactions
First of all, there is the downside of there being no face-to-face interactions between students and tutors. Even thought, they can meet outside the World Wide Web but it just does substitute for the entire social interactions that take place in normal settings. Tutors and students are not getting to know each other way they do in a traditional classroom.

Technology
Internet connection can be frustrating some time causes slow and unreliable connection because of limited bandwidth. It requires professional skills to adapt in procedures.

High Cost
Some tutors are not competent in teaching by electronic means and may require additional training. It cost money to provide such training. Future more, additional funds are needed to purchase multimedia tools to provide support services for e-learning, creation and maintenance.