Less effort? Sure if you just convert your face-to-face class poorly into a virtual one. However this akin to making a Powerpoint presentation and instead of sending the ppt file once to all your students you print copies of the PowerPoint and make sure each of your pupils has a paper version.

Done right, at least for the present, online teaching materials are handcrafted and semi-authored by the teacher to customize the support to the class taught. Some platforms and schools are beginning to put teaching media: tests, text, audio, video, etc. on their platforms but they are generally poor photocopies of books the students already possess or ill-suited for the course taught. Online teaching is by nature multimedia. One minute of multimedia created is anywhere from a half-hour to many hours of work. It is not very different for a teacher preparing a virtual class. Even if a professor utilized say video provided by TED talks and employed their accompanying tests from TEDed. The teacher has to familiarize themselves with the talk, research more the subject and personalize the associated quiz spending 3 to ten times more hours than the student following the course. Of course, it may be possible to outsource everything. If you were to really use A.I.especially to evaluate student output, successfully & efficiently incorporate Web resources Like that of the Open University, TED, M.I.T's and others' vast course libraries, even Youtube tutorials, then were is the place for a teacher? Maybe as once a week academic counselor/supervisor?

سؤال جيد. وأنا مهتم بمتابعة الإجابة عنه، ومن خلاله أثرت الفضول العلمي لديّ، سأسعى للبحث فيه، وسأتابع إجابات السادة الباحثين عنه... شكرا جزيلا.

Good question. I am really interested to follow the other researchers' answers, since this question made me curious about it even more. Thank you.

Virtual or online learning provides various channels such as mail, online chat and video conferences, through which students and instructors can interact with each other. In the classroom, there is only one channel to communicate with each other. Many students have a visual memory and seem to learn more willingly and are interested in online modes of teaching. Virtual learning is opted these days due to the shutdown of schools and institutions. It is beneficial to an extent because it does not require waking up early, there is no fear of getting scolded and one can study in a comfortable manner. But, a teacher-student relationship can be best established in a classroom only. The interaction and the questions a student asks the instructor in the class cannot happen in an online interaction. Virtual learning offers a good substitute to classroom learning in the time of emergency but it cannot replace the classroom. Classroom learning still remains the main option as discipline can be taught through it and it is a better mode of imparting education and knowledge. Sanskriti Verma, via email

Classroom teaches life skills.

Interesting question and replies.

I guess it comes down to the old quote that we must see opportunity in every challenge and not challenge in any opportunity. This applies to online learning as well. Effort and planning are required though.

E-learning, if done correctly, requires more effort on the part of the teacher.

Sadly, for most students, the lack of connections has been devastating. Isolation is destructive, and most online learning is beyond boring.

E-learning is the best way at the current time. It can produce great results by decreasing costs and improving performance.

Such an interesting discussion above. Definitely will spark some differing views. For me, To say that it has provided more educational opportunities with minimal effort is an understatement. There are many factors involved including the environment (ie: is it conducive for learning or not, support from teachers and parents, socioeconomic status ( ie: the availability of computers, internet stability etc), teaching itself (ie. methodology, quality of teachers, etc).

I think that e-learning has provided more educational opportunities with less effort, but the acadmic ratio is less in compare with the offline eye contact with our studans

Good idea, SATI

One thing I think many folks can agree on is that the COVID experience has truly changed education and brought to light just how far behind some regions and systems are when dealing with education in the 21st century. I have personally seen (my wife is currently a high school English teacher here in Texas) how unprepared most schools were when transitioning to eLearning and virtual learning.

I am not sure where the research is that shows, now, that retention is increased but I do agree that it CAN. What we have seen here is that, due to many reasons, students are failing at increasing rates.

• Many are ill-prepared to self-study. They lack the motivation and control needed to adhere to eLearning requirements.
• Many students also fall into the "digital divide" group where they either lack proper access or tools to access online deliverables. Access to high-speed internet, suitable computers, and appropriate peripherals lead students to not even log into their classes.
• Lack of regional infrastructure. Areas are overwhelmed with internet usage. Schools were not maintained or updated to include the wide-spread use of multiple computers and internet.

Then there's the transitioning and conversion of traditional materials to online and virtual. Far too many professional development opportunities were wasted in the past. Rather than look to the future of educational delivery, many PD offerings focused on outdated applications and childish offerings (hey, look, we're going to create new emojis!! And yes...that was actually a PD my wife had to endure). Traditional teachers don't know how to convert their materials for eLearning. They don't know how to effectively teach virtually. They believe that simply making their PPTs accessible and then sitting in front of a camera is 21st-century teaching.

COVID has brought to light the good in education and educators who saw this coming though. But far too many were not prepared, their schools were not prepared, and their students were not prepared for this. This wake-up call for the new educational shift was much needed.

As far as LESS effort? Not even close? The effort to teach now is easily TWICE as much as traditional classroom teaching. Not only do many teachers have to teach virtually, there are some live elements and face to face efforts still in place. This means the typical teacher now has to teach in two different worlds, with two sets of lessons, deliverables, and materials. They have to deal with online issues and student failure rates skyrocketing while their administration tries to pinpoint the reasons why. So no, I do not believe that there is less effort for more offerings; quite the contrary.

However, after all of the initial work is done, I see MAINTENANCE of those virtual classrooms and deliverables as being more easily revised and updated over traditional. So, on the backend of this, there could very well be a lessening of effort.

Yes, in that allows for access to learning at one's own time, pace, caters in a way to one's personal selection/tastes/ideologies. Does it provide the same level's of interpersonal connection and communication? Skype, Zoom, etc. have that potential, but still the senses tactile, of scent, coloration and lighting all of which nuance our interactions are nullified. There is a static reality to virtual/not true - simply virtual reality. Are we as a species highly enough evolved to realize the limitations and to seek to find the higher good, to draw upon the benefits fully, to integrate the possiblities as we pursue our potential?

E-learning has got importance during COVID-19, However it must remember the old phrase that "no knowledge without college". Physical classroom has its own importance, such as class participation. in case of e-learning may be less efforts will require for delivering, however its not so effective as physical teaching learning process.

No, e-learning is not done with less effort. In fact, it takes more effort on the part of the faculty as student's comprehension and ability to read and follow directions is suspect! An example, I have an undergraduate student that has asked me several times the same question. I have responded each time with a screenshot and text and she still does not understand.

Another example, group projects! There are established criteria that students are to follow and there are those that want to do it their way for their convenience, consequently, they do not do well on the project!

While there is flexibility, to a degree with e-learning, it is not for everyone as it can and does create frustration for students and faculty. There are those that try to hold regularly schedules classes online which to my mind takes away from online learning especially at the university level!

There is a saying "he who takes the wrong road makes the journey twice"! In the case of e-learning, I think there are a lot of wrong roads taken thus the extraordinary effort to get the message across!

It is very intersting discussion and you post a crucial question!

Dear Mohammed, the simple answer will be yes if you just replace the face to face lectures with a virtual ones. And the answer is no if you are keen to know and measure the limit of student interaction and benefit from these alternative techniques. There are many important factor that must be taken into considerations, which are the limit of students' knowledge of these technologies and their possession of the necessary requirements to interact with e-learning. Add to that the skills of the teaching staff, the information technology infrastructure in the country, the economic conditions, governmental and institutional support for e-learning, and there is more. But let me answer your question from my personal experience. E-learning requires more effort from the teacher and its results are less than face-to-face education. But it is a reality imposed by the circumstances of the pandemic. Thank you.

From my experience, the answer is that teaching online requires a great deal more effort on the part of the faculty member. And, I love teaching online! We have to establish relationships between students, and add other artifacts of collegiality to our students' experiences to enable them to learn. I think discussion boards lend themselves well to this, so long as the instructor's guidance encourages them to speak about the text material in the discussions; i.e., express opinions, challenge concepts, listen 'actively' to the words of others, then ask questions to clarify for full understanding. These are mature activities. Younger students will undoubtedly struggle with these concepts. However, I think it can be done with sufficient feedback and guidance from their instructors. Therein lies a great deal more effort on the part of the instructor than is required on ground. In an on ground classroom, you can say something once and assume that everyone who doesn't speak up gets it. Online, you can't do that and will likely have multiple individuals asking you the same questions via e-mail or phone after the class is over! There are creative ways to deal with this through technology and, again, that is an extra step a face-to-face teacher would not have to take. My analysis is that the extra effort required for the online instructor = better learning for the student.

I would say e-learning has allowed the continuance of the education despite hard hit by covid-19 pandemic. But the digital divide widened the gap between the privileged and under-privileged in accessing the education. But the learning outcomes aren't good for anyone neither the teaching experience for the teachers due to lack of training for curriculum design, pedagogy and assessment for online education. It would need huge resources and new policy from the government to fully utilise the advantage of EdTech.

Good day

No, it is more difficult.

We should do everything alone. No friends, no coffees, so, too many hours to listen and read.

It is a process very lonely

Best regards

Ph.D. Ingrid del Valle García Carreño

The term “e-learning” has a troubled and confusing pedigree. On the whole, it should be called “e-teaching” because the emphasis is on instruction rather than on learning per se.

To answer the prompt for this discussion properly requires a paradigm shift. Online acquisition of knowledge and skills, with sites ranging from Wikipedia to TED, is empowering and transformational. That truly is e-learning.

Online instruction, like that offered by academic and corporate organizations, is generally stultifying, Of course, Khan Academy is a notable exception.

E-teaching is not the same as e-learning.

The student highly dependent on e-learning lose their analytical skill,mathematical skill and judgement skill.It widens the knowledge gap and minimises the digital gap.

Accessibility and affordability of ICT tools for e- learning are major concern for the rural youth of the country. The professors having past experience supporting e-learning did not reach 50% during COVID-19 crisis.However they recognise and accept the potentials of e-learning and its postive effect in future.

If the students and/or parents can record the DL lessons for replay, it may enhance the retention by giving the recipient the opportunity to refresh the instructional content. Unlike classroom only, once taught it can be discussed or experienced again, but not "on demand" or multiple times. Planning scope and sequence of he subject matter is the "key", not just the delivery mode (classroom or online.)

I agree with the first part of your question about the opportunities e-learning has offered to students. Such opportunities are the availability of the learning materials online and the easiness to access these materials at anytime and from anywhere. However, I don't agree with the second part of your question because shifting the content of the courses to be taught online takes a lot of efforts and time from the tutors, especially those have never used online platform to deliver their lessons before. So it is by no means " less efforts" in comparison to physical classrooms teaching.

Online learning requires much more effort and thought especially with engaging interactive methodologies. I agree with Atif Elboshi

Hello,

Over the years, education has changed dramatically, with the continual rise of

e-learning. Initially, working adults were trying to complete educational degrees while working. The e-learning provided an opportunity for adults to manage work, school, and homelife while completing another degree. Now, teaching is using the remote digital platforms for students to continue their coursework. I have seen how e-learning has promoted opportunities, engaged interactive methodologies, and required people to shift their thinking from the in-class course at the school or university. Learning new software programs with online learning may require more skills, but in the long-run the student will be better prepared to face the challenges in the positions they work in.

The interaction of student and teacher is nowhere near the same online as in the classroom. I have watched both approaches and see the student in more isolation online. The physical presence of the teacher draws out more intercommunication which is a vital part of seeing, saying, hearing, and writing.

Due to online lectures the student have loss there interest in studies , the interaction between the students and teacher the chain has been loosen .

Indeed online learning has provided vast opportunities for students to continue learning in this time of pandemic and even opened up a wider scope for knowledge exploration as various platforms and educational websites are tapped and utilized. On the other hand, for some third world countries where internet connection is a great hindrance, learning proves to be very challenging, even causing some students to develop learning anxiety.

Considering poor countries, no, e-learning has deprived many children of the right to have an adequate education. Only those who were lucky enough to live in rich countries were able to carry on with their education.

Yes, that is a fact, even though there are challenges,

Article THE CHALLENGES IN E-LEARNING AMONG TAMILNADU STUDENTS IN THE...

@Adita Maharaj,

Engaging interactive methodologies is a different story. While interaction between the teacher and the students in physical classrooms can be achieved because of the physical presence of both parties, it is absolutely challenging when done online, simply because a lot of students are supposed to be present physically and mentally but that's not always the case.

E- learning was already existing in some countries before the out break of the pandemic. With relentless efforts the Government of some countries have managed to implement the effective use of E - learning in schools from the secondary to the higher level of education. But the implementation process is not easy since it was welcomed with mixed feelings by students and teachers. E - learning needs a lot of resources and expertise skills to manipulate the gadgets for effective teaching. So E - learning is not an easy task to put in place especially in developing countries.

definitely, e-learning has provided more educational opportunities with less effort for the learners or students while teachers have to make much hard work in comparison with traditional learning

E-learning is a new learning methode for early chiilhood education. COVID 19 was force us, as a teacher early chillhood education, to more and more learn about how to deliver the learning materials. One of the ways with e learning. But, the conditions in the field, many parents struggle with gadget, signal, time and money. Its much more effort ...

As an EC educator yes Ammy Ramdhania definitely agree.

Hi! First: w is called e-learning is a term for an instrumentation for teaching and learning, not a kind of new magic learning Itself. Learning is learning, and we really don’t know everything about how it works. We once in history talked about ”book learning” and that was questionned as a deviation from an oral lecture and discussion culture.

With this said, of course ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) and at recent times especially digital ICTs, has improved education possibilities. This both through lowering the friction of information and also with possibiliites to adapt teaching and include new groups of students in education. Then on teaching-learning quality - some students thrive in the classroom, other in online environments, and many in a blend that they can influence themselves.

My research is about a time and process perspective on ICTs in learning, as a mix of synchronous and asynchronous modalities over the duration of a course or similar. The interesting thing is that we once in early medieval times only had oral synchronous communication to use - then came new ICTs both for asynchronos use (books, etc) and new kinds of synchronous communication in recent times. Now we can make customised blends for kinds of courses, teachers and students. If interested, see attached articles and texts.

Research A back-to-basics thought experiment about blended learning

Article A time based blended learning model

I would say that this question requires a lot of rigorous analysis of the perspectives to which it is tabled. However, in literary term, E-learning indeed provides additional opportunities in learning but that does not dismiss the fact that it also has some disadvantages that has to do with unrealistic sense of perception of students about the learning experiences and the interactions within the classroom environment. Also, hands on learning that requires laboratory experimentation as well as assessment of such kind of learning outcome might be difficult to thrive in E-learning.