Disadvantages

1.      Lack of routine study structure and lack of contact with instructor or classmates may work against less motivated students or those with unsatisfactory study habits.

2.      Poor computers or poor computer skills can make access to and use of materials frustrating or difficult.

3.      Limited in the kind of learning it can provide, e.g. can easily provide information but can't simulate lab work and hands on-experience.

Advantages

1.      Allows for flexible scheduling of study time.

2.      Reduces travel costs and time.

3.      Allows students to work at their own pace and choose materials themselves.

4.      Fosters greater interaction.

5.      Caters for different learning styles.

6.      Builds up computer skills which are useful for future careers.

7.      Develops self-knowledge and self-confidence.

8.      Allows for revision and moving onto new skills.

Tapescript: Two short lectures on e-learning

Female lecturer (Broadband)

All right now, I'd like to move on to look at the disadvantages of on-line learning. To my mind, they fall into three main categories. The first set are related to the student who's not got very strong motivation or whose study habits are not so good. This student … this kind of student may well lag behind. Erm, this is because without the routine structure of a traditional classroom, they might get lost or confused about their activities and their deadlines, or they may feel rather isolated from their classmates, and from their instructor. And also the instructor may not be there when they most need them, unlike in the real classroom.

The second set of factors relates to the computer itself. Some students have to operate with older computers or with computers that have quite slow connections. And this means that it can be quite frustrating to access materials. Another thing that can be quite complex is actual file management or some on-line learning software. If you're just a beginner at using the computer all this can be quite erhm frustrating or difficult to get on top of.

Erm, the third reservation that I have is related to the kind of work that you can do with a computer. A computer is very very good for helping students to access information, but a computer is quite restricted in what it can do in terms of providing the students with hands-on experience or lab work experience. It's very difficult to simulate that kind of work in a virtual classroom.

Male lecturer (Broadband)

OK, I'd like to discuss the advantages of e-learning. One main benefit for students is that class work can be scheduled around work and around the family. It offers flexibility in terms of work time and also it reduces travel costs and travel time.

Another benefit for students is it allows them to work at their own pace. Students may have the option to select materials that interest them or that excite them. Erhm … e-learning also offers students flexibility ... they can join a bulletin board, or an email list, and they can have discussions at any hour or any time with fellow students or with their instructors. And, in fact, both students and instructors report that e-learning fosters more interaction than the interaction in a regular lecture, which is quite surprising, I think.

Another advantage is that e-learning allows different learning styles. It facilitates a variety of activities. In addition, of course, learners develop the knowledge and skills of using the Internet and the computer, which help them in their future careers.

A further benefit is that when students have completed their study ... they've completed the on-line courses that they find they've developed self-knowledge and self-confidence because e-learning encourages students to take responsibility for their learning.

Finally, e-learning allows students to test or skim materials that they've already looked through, and to concentrate and focus on mastering new information and new skills. OK.