E-Learning has steadily grown since its inception in the 1990s. Many students have attested to the benefits of e-learning such as the convenience and accessibility to online learning resources and communities. However, the growth rate of e-learning has been slower than expected despite these benefits. Certain obstacles were underestimated during the inception of e-learning that has some students thinking twice about going through an e-learning program.
People
According to a study done in the United Kingdom in 2009, the most significant barrier to successful implementation of e-learning has been the overall reluctance of people to use the service. For professors, they are reluctant to pick up this technology because online-course professors are effectively quarantined in their own homes or offices as they teach. Courses tend to also be made for a mass audience that forces professors to broaden and generalize their content. Students indicated they preferred the traditional versions of classes due to the lack of adequate learning support online; there can still be a lack of one-on-one sessions with professors or customized materials for each course.
Cost
During the 1990s, online costs were relatively low as the Internet was rapidly growing in popularity and use. Based on this idea, universities thought that the e-learning business model was a highly distributable, low-cost option for distance learning. However, universities later found out that the upkeep of this technology was relatively higher than other online tools. Constant 24/7 support had to be given to students studying in different time zones, and buying research material for mass distribution to students was very expensive. Schools are now more hesitant to adopt e-learning courses because of these expenses.
Technology
The technology for e-learning is not yet perfect. Certain e-learning suites have compatibility issues with some browsers. E-learning program access is also restricted in certain countries where networks are not as advanced or are highly privatized and monitored. Lastly, the IT structure of e-learning suites is not yet mainstreamed--the user interface is constantly upgraded and varies greatly across different suites, which makes a high learning curve for potential users.
Credibility
The issue of credibility is a psychosocial barrier in the minds of students and professors. Academia as an industry is traditionally hesitant in adopting frontier technologies such as e-learning; academics have questioned the dependability of these new methods and the accuracy of the people behind the content. Although there is a growing acceptance rate, instructors and students remain cautious toward schools that deliver rapid changes to their curriculum.
Tags: e-learning been, e-learning suites, this technology