E-Learning can provide benefits for the organizations and individuals involved.
1. Improved performance: A 12-year meta-analysis of research by the U.S. Department of Education found that higher education students in online learning generally performed better than those in face-to-face courses.
2. Increased access: Instructors of the highest calibre can share their knowledge across borders, allowing students to attend courses across physical, political, and economic boundaries. Recognized experts have the opportunity of making information available internationally, to anyone interested at minimum costs. For example, the MIT OpenCourseWare program has made substantial portions of that university's curriculum and lectures available for free online.
3. Convenience and flexibility to learners: in many contexts, eLearning is self-paced and the learning sessions are available 24x7. Learners are not bound to a specific day/time to physically attend classes. They can also pause learning sessions at their convenience. High technology is not necessary for all online courses. Basic internet access, audio, and video capabilities are common requirements. Depending on the technology used, students can begin their courses while at work and finish them at home on a different computer.
4. To develop the skills and competencies needed in the 21st century, in particular to ensure that learners have the digital literacy skills required in their discipline, profession or career Bates (2009) states that a major argument for e-learning is that it enables learners to develop essential skills for knowledge-based workers by embedding the use of information and communications technologies within the curriculum. He also argues that using e-learning in this way has major implications for course design and the assessment of learners.
Additional benefit:
Additional advantages of computer-based training over traditional classroom training include the ability to:
1. Pay less per credit hour
2. Reduce overall training time
3. Spread training out over extended periods of time (even months)
4. Bookmark progress (computer remembering where the student left off so they can resume the courses from there)
5. Remain in one location (e.g., home, office, airport, coffee shop, etc.) with no need to travel (also reduces the cost of transportation to physical classrooms and benefits environment).
6. Participate in class activities when convenient (not tied to class meeting times)
7. Access public content such as webcasts or other course content
