Factors Affecting eLearning in India

Choudhary Nafees Ahmed M.C.A,

Saniya Ambreen M.C.A

Department of Computer Science

Jamia Hamdard, (Hamdard University), New Delhi-110062
e-mail: choudharynafees@rediffmail.com
e-mail: saniya_ambreen@hotmail.com

Abstract and communication technologies. eLearning

India is one of the fastest enhancing country
in the field of education and information
technology and education too. One of the
major development in field of education is
eLearning. Electronic learning (or e-
Learning or eLearning) is a type of
Technology supported education/learning
(TSL) where the medium of instruction is
computer technology. Critically, according
to Mr.Bersin,”eLearning refers to the use of
internet technology for delivery
management and measurement of any form
of corporate training”. But the concept of
eLearning in India eLearning is not as
efficient as in other developed countries.n
India.
This paper highlights certain factors,
which affect eLearning process in India, and
also and also talks aboutv5the different
measures that should be taken to flush out
these problems.
most often means an approach to facilitate
and enhance learning by means of personal
computers, CDROMs and internet.
Generations of eLearning
There are various generations related to
eLearning:
First generation eLearning, analogues of
conventionally delivered medium i.e.,
Internet.
Second generation eLearning has the
components like texts, audio-graphics,
online discussions, questions, etc. are
chosen to provide a balance of different type
of learning activity and reflect the pedagogic
principles that have been adopted.
Third generation eLearning is a learning
system that provide for each student a
‘course’ that is tailored for their needs. [2]

INTRODUCTION Communication technologies used in

eLearning
eLearning
Communication technologies are generally
eLearning is an extension of distance categorized as asynchronous or
education enabled by the new information synchronous.[3]
Asynchronous activities use technologies It will be more appropriate if these
such as blogs, wikis, and discussion boards. advantages will be given in tabular form:
The idea here is that participants may
engage in the exchange of ideas or
information without the dependency of other Table 1: Traditional education v/s eLearning
participants’ involvement at the same time. Traditional eLearning
Electronic mail (Email) is also asynchronous education
in that mail can be sent or received without Student must be eLearning can be
having both the participants’ involvement at punctual to classes perform any time
the same time. Study mode is Mode of study uses
through books Interactive
Synchronous activities involve the exchange multimedia
of ideas and information with one or more Student can’t Student can evaluate
participants during the same period of time. evaluate his/her his/her performance
A face-to-face discussion is an example of performance by provided
synchronous communications. Synchronous questionnaires
activities occur with all participants joining No use of technology Vast use of
in at once, as with an online chat session or in study technology in study
a virtual classroom or meeting. Hesitation in asking Student can clear
doubt face to face his/her doubt by
Virtual classrooms and meetings can often
sending emails and
use a mix of communication technologies.
other means
In many models, the writing community and Content of study is Latest updates are
the communication channels relate with the not up to date available regarding
E-learning and the M-learning communities. each topic
Both the communities provide a general Student can’t attend Student can record
overview of the basic learning models and lecture again and the lectures and can
the activities required for the participants to again go through it again
join the learning sessions across the virtual and again
classroom or even across standard Not facility to Enhancement of IT
classrooms enabled by technology. enhance IT skills skill is maximum
Many activities, essential for the learners in Only limited books Provide number of
these environments, require frequent chat are available in digital libraries
sessions in the form of virtual classrooms library
and/or blog meetings.
Components of eLearning
Advantages of eLearning over
Traditional education In 2004, Wachholz identifies the
components of eLearning as:
 1. Strategic planning and vision
statement.
2. Curriculum and content.
3. Use of Internet and acceptable use
policies.
4. ICT and Education Reform,
managing changes.
5. Quality assurance and Accreditation.
6. Connectivity, infrastructure and
network.
7. Professional Development.
8. Intellectual development and
copyright.
9. Intergovernmental Issues.[2]
But in 2005, Chaiyong defines
eLearning component by little change
and categorize them in two categories:
• The Psychological component
• On-Screen Presentation
Component.[1]
Requirement of Technical Characteristics
for eLearning:
Chaiyong in 2005 list three technical
requirements for eLearning:
1. File transfer and data exchange
2. High speed and links
3. Two-way communication and
interactivity [4]
Recent Development in eLearning
Recently in USA, a new concept of
eLearning called ‘e-Doctors’ have been
discovered. In e-Doctors a person can
consult his/her doctor through internet.[5]
FACOTRS AFFECTING eLEARNING
IN INDIA
Now we are going to discuss various factors
that can affect eLearning in India.
These major factors are:
• Computer illiteracy
• Electricity supply
• Software and Hardware requirements
• Low Bandwidth
• Lack of usage skills of devices like
PDA’s, Mobile Devices etc.
Computer Illiteracy
According to a survey in India only 11%
of population is aware with computer
usage and latest technology related to
computer. So we can say only these
people are eligible for eLearning. It is a
major drawback of India that comes in
the way eLearning.
Steps to improve: There should be some
computer literacy programs by
government, so that maximum people
can learn computer and use eLearning
for their required education.
Electricity Supply
In remote areas of India the average
supply of electricity is only 10
hours/day. Infect, in metropolitan cities
like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata average
supply of electricity is not 24 hours/day
So how it is possible to eLearning
anytime, anywhere.
Steps to improve: Govt. should take
primitive measure to increase electricity
supply in country so that it not does
affect education.
Software and Hardware requirements
In the era of fast and advance
computing people used to work on old
fashion computer that does meet with
the hardware and software requirements
needed for eLearning.
Steps to improve: eLearning must be
taken into consideration while
purchasing or assembling computer.
Low Bandwidth
eLearning requires hi-speed internet for
file transfer, video conferencing,
mailing. But in India Internet speed is
not up to the mark. It takes lot of time to
download a single file. So eLearning
task becomes difficult to perform.
Steps to improve: User must higher
bandwidth Internet.
Lack of usage skills of devices like
PDA’s, Mobile Devices etc.
Since the people who knows computer
are traditionally attach to the computer.
They don’t like to use newly discovered
equipments like Personal Digital
Assistant which provide portability
feature, in this way enhance eLearning.
Steps to improve: It is necessary for all
of us to aware about all the development
in IT by means of internet, newspaper,
magazines etc. and should know how to
use newly discovered devices more
effectively.
Conclusion
The key to efficient eLearning process in
a broader sense lies in the hands of ISPs,
institutions and the instructors. They are
the one who can make any eLearning
process efficient and complete.
Apart from this basic computer
knowledge should be made compulsory
at the very beginning. eLearning is the
future of learning process and we have to
be all prepared to stand tall among
masses.
References
1. Chaiyong Brahmawong (2005),
eLearning Courseware Production
System: “Underlying Principles,
Major Components and
Evaluation criteria”. Proceeding
of the Second International
Conference on eLearning for
knowledge based society.
Bangkok, Thailand 2005.
2. Prasart Sribhadung (2007),
“Mobile Devices in eLearning”:
Third International Conference
on eLearning for Knowledge-
Based Society. Bangkok, Thailand
2007.
3. Gontjarow Julitta (2003),
“Essential Factors Affecting
eLearning Development”.
Diploma Work Information and
Media Development Programme.
4. Krishna Kumar , Central Institute
of Education, University of
Delhi. “Quality of Education at he
beginning of the 21st Century-
Lessons of India”.
5. Times Of India.Jan 2009.

6. www.managersforum.com

7. www.newtwavemultimedia.com