Education has always benefited from developments in technology, but the use of electronic learning or e-learning in colleges has enabled a revolution to take place in how students can learn, especially students who, for a variety of reasons, need to do a lot of course work from home. The impact of e-learning has been a huge benefit to both students and colleges.

The Internet and web technology have given students and colleges the opportunity to take online degrees such as an online business degree and online marketing courses in a distance learning environment, while either looking after a family or while working in full time or part time employment. Web technology is continually improving to make online classes, access to research materials and communication between student and teacher easier to do.

E-learning often takes place in what is often described as the ‘Virtual Learning Environment.’ The virtual learning environment is not intended as a replacement for traditional colleges, but is an alternative that has a good impact on the way students can study through distance learning courses.

Affordability is also a key factor in the popularity of e-learning, with fewer costs associated with traditional college based learning such as travel, distance learning courses such as an online management degree are therefore made more widely available.

Although it is possible to take a degree online, many colleges make e-learning part of existing campus based courses, where it is practical and demanded. This aspect of e-learning – where colleges provide courses according to the needs of the student – makes it often a personalised learning experience for the student.

E-learning also benefits employers, allowing staff to study without taking time off work, or taking less time off work compared to a conventional college, therefore saving on valuable work time and company expenditure. E-learning allows learning to be flexible, based around the needs of the student, and colleges offering online degrees and distance learning understand the needs of the student with professional and family commitments.

Much progress has been made in the development of e-learning teaching tools, to enable students and teachers to get the most out of their online degree.

E-learning can often involve a combination of communication technologies, especially in what is often referred to as the ‘virtual classroom.’ With a range of communication technologies available to students, such as WiFi and mobile telephones, content, classes and communication between student and teacher demonstrate that e-learning is both functional and versatile, and can adapt efficiently to suit the needs of the student.

Of course, e-learning technologies cannot replace the self motivation and discipline needed by students to be successful in their online or distance learning degrees, but can certainly encourage students who may otherwise have not been able to study for their online degrees where it not for the convenience of e-learning. The differences in how colleges approach the learning needs of students because of e-learning have certainly impacted in a constructive way, helping colleges develop their distance or flexible learning courses for the benefit of students.

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Sarah Maple writes about marketing courses and distance learning.