4.2 E Learning

(1) About E-Learning:

1- Introduction
2- Meaning of E-Learning
3- Skills and Personality Development through E-Learning
4- Advantages of E-Learning.
5- Disadvantages of E-Learning.


1) Introduction:

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Distance education, also known as distance learning, is the education of students who may not always be physically present at a school. Traditionally, this usually involved correspondence courses wherein the student corresponded with the school via mail. Today, it usually involves online education. A distance learning program can be completely distance learning, or a combination of distance learning and traditional classroom instruction (called hybrid or blended).

The growth of the internet and its impact on education system has created a new learning model called e-learning that is considered as a new revolution in the world of education. E-learning is the type of learning where people pursue professional or educational courses without the use of traditional learning methods. Such involves taking a course or going to school remotely by making use of the web as a classroom .

Electronic or distance learning refers to the delivery of educational material via any electronic media such as internet, extranets, satellite broadcast, audio or video tape, CDs and computer-based training.

A number of other terms (distributed learning, e-learning, m-learning, online learning, virtual classroom etc.) are used roughly synonymously with distance education. E-learning has shown to be a useful educational tool. E-learning should be an interactive process with multiple learning modes for all learners at various levels of learning. The distance learning environment is an exciting place to learn new things, collaborate with others, and retain self-discipline.

E-Learning is currently one of the popular models of learning. Like any other means it has its own advantages and disadvantages .


2) Meaning of E-Learning:

E-learning refers to all electronic learning through systems that are used as part of the learning system. For example :

1- Digital Classrooms:

This refers to ‘smart-classrooms’ equipped with several digital learning aids.

2- Satellite Education:

Here an instructor in one location can impart lessons over an education satellite (such as Edusat) to thousands of students across multiple locations. This can also be done in a bidirectional mode—with students being able to address their questions to the instructor over the satellite system.

3- Web-based Learning or Internet-based Training (IBT) and Computer-based Training (CBT):
This is based on course material accessible over the web, or through hundreds of DVDs on a wide variety of subjects.


3) Soft Skills and Personality Development through E-Learning:

Soft skills and personality traits can be enhanced through the language laboratory where one can use self-improvement methods to observe oneself and improve continuously. E-learning systems can also be used for soft skills and personality development (in addition to developing one’s hard skills or domain knowledge).

A large number of Internet-/computer-based training materials are available today on communication skills, listening skills, body language, job interviews, group discussions, etc.


4) Advantages of E-Learning:

E-learning has several benefits as follows:

(1) Efficiency

Online learning offers teachers an efficient way to deliver lessons to students. Online learning has a number of tools such as videos, PDFs, podcasts, and teachers can use all these tools as part of their lesson plans. By extending the lesson plan beyond traditional textbooks to include online resources, teachers are able to become more efficient educators.
There is no rigidity of a fixed curriculum, no need to go through multiple sequences to gain access to the point of need. Programmes can also be paced or paused, based on availability.

(2) Privacy of Learning:

Some people feel intimidated by the presence of peers during the learning process. If they do not understand certain sections of a course, they feel awkward to ask these questions in public. E-learning obviates this issue. Learning is a private experience. A section or an entire course can be repeated as many times as needed. Questions to an ‘instructor’ can be asked one-on-one through an on-line query-response system.

(3) Accessibility Of Time And Place

Another advantage of online education is that it allows students to attend classes from any location of their choice. It also allows schools to reach out to a more extensive network of students, instead of being restricted by geographical boundaries. Additionally, online lectures can be recorded, archived, and shared for future reference. This allows students to access the learning material at a time of their comfort.

Thus, online learning offers students the accessibility of time and place in education.

(4) Affordability

Another advantage of online learning is reduced financial costs. Online education is far more affordable as compared to physical learning. This is because online learning eliminates the cost points of student transportation, student meals, and most importantly, real estate. Additionally, all the course or study materials are available online, thus creating a paperless learning environment which is more affordable, while also being beneficial to the environment.

(5) Suits A Variety Of Learning Styles

Every student has a different learning journey and a different learning style. Some students are visual learners, while some students prefer to learn through audio. Similarly, some students thrive in the classroom, and other students are solo learners who get distracted by large groups.

The online learning system, with its range of options and resources, can be personalized in many ways. It is the best way to create a perfect learning environment suited to the needs of each student.


5) Disadvantages of E-Learning.

(1) Inability To Focus On Screens

For many students, one of the biggest challenges of online learning is the struggle with focusing on the screen for long periods of time. With online learning, there is also a greater chance for students to be easily distracted by social media or other sites. Therefore, it is imperative for the teachers to keep their online classes crisp, engaging, and interactive to help students stay focused on the lesson.

(2) Technology Issues

Another key challenge of online classes is internet connectivity. While internet penetration has grown in leaps and bounds over the past few years, in smaller cities and towns, a consistent connection with decent speed is a problem. Without a consistent internet connection for students or teachers, there can be a lack of continuity in learning for the child. This is detrimental to the education process.

(3) Sense Of Isolation

Students can learn a lot from being in the company of their peers. However, in an online class, there are minimal physical interactions between students and teachers. This often results in a sense of isolation for the students. In this situation, it is imperative that the school allow for other forms of communication between the students, peers, and teachers. This can include online messages, emails and video conferencing that will allow for face-to-face interaction and reduce the sense of isolation.

(4) Teacher Training

Online learning requires teachers to have a basic understanding of using digital forms of learning. However, this is not the case always. Very often, teachers have a very basic understanding of technology. Sometimes, they don’t even have the necessary resources and tools to conducts online classes.

To combat this, it is important for schools to invest in training teachers with the latest technology updates so that they can conduct their online classes seamlessly

Finally it must be noted that while e-learning systems have many advantages, it has the disadvantage of not having an instructor to personally be present to facilitate the learning. Hence it is not the best medium where queries need to be not just answered, but deliberated at length with multiple opinions and pros and cons needing to be discussed.


(2) E-Learning Softwares:

1-Introduction
2-Features
3-Application


1) Introduction:

E-learning software or e-learning authoring software is used in a virtual classroom to facilitate online education. Its other use includes conducting corporate training. The primary purpose of e-learning tools is to author, or create, educational assets. With this type of software, trainers and educators can:

Combine and arrange disparate media (text, video, presentations) into comprehensive, logically sequenced e-learning assets and courses.
Add animations and customized response cues to facilitate learner engagement with e-learning course material.
Safely store e-learning assets for future editing and reapplication with new learning initiatives.
Publish completed e-learning courses in a variety of compatible formats.
There are other, related types of software that manage different aspects of e-learning. For example, broader learning management systems (LMSs) automate the administration, testing, tracking, and reporting of learner progress through online courses. E-learning software has a narrower scope: It provides the tools needed to create those online courses in the first place.E-learning software or e-learning authoring software is used in a virtual classroom to facilitate online education. Its other use includes conducting corporate training. The primary purpose of e-learning tools is to author, or create, educational assets. With this type of software, trainers and educators can:

Combine and arrange disparate media (text, video, presentations) into comprehensive, logically sequenced e-learning assets and courses.
Add animations and customized response cues to facilitate learner engagement with e-learning course material.
Safely store e-learning assets for future editing and reapplication with new learning initiatives.
Publish completed e-learning courses in a variety of compatible formats.
There are other, related types of software that manage different aspects of e-learning. For example, broader learning management systems (LMSs) automate the administration, testing, tracking, and reporting of learner progress through online courses. E-learning software has a narrower scope: It provides the tools needed to create those online courses in the first place.


2) Features:

E-learning platforms are used to create a wide variety of educational and training materials for use in many industries, both in the public and private sectors. Due to this, the e-learning software landscape includes a large selection of applications.

As a software buyer, choosing among such a large selection of e-learning vendors can be a challenge. To help you understand the choices available, here is a list of applications included in many e-learning tools:

- Templates: Provide pre-configured models for different types of e-learning materials and training content, such as lessons or quizzes. This makes it easier for users to create learning content since it doesn’t need to be designed from scratch.

- Multimedia tools: Allow users to upload and integrate multimedia files (i.e., videos and images) into e-learning resources, as well as do basic editing on learning content.

- SCORM-compliance: SCORM is a set of technical standards that e-learning solutions must follow. Products with SCORM support help users create materials that can be combined and integrated with any other SCORM-compliant materials.

- Testing tools: Allow users to add quizzes, tests, and exams to e-learning courses, which can be used to track or determine student progress.

- Customization tools: Help users create e-learning resources that match the look and feel of their company’s digital assets (such as its website).

- Storyline editing: E-learning courses often progress much like stories, with a linear beginning and end. Storyline editing functions let authors mix, match, and rearrange e-learning components to create an articulate storyline.

- Interaction tools: Let authors add elements that students will interact with during a lesson or course. Interactions can include free-form text entry, picture selection, or simple mouse clicks.


3) Applications:

1- Elucidat – Helps big employers drive down the cost of business-critical training
-Wide range of interactions and features, including rules, branches and badges

2- Adobe Captivate – Gives experienced authors the power to create high-quality content
-Able to produce complex interactions

3- Articulate Storyline 360 – Ideal for individual users who prefer PowerPoint, with an added layer of customization
-A commonly used tool, so designers tend to have experience

4- Articulate Rise 360 – Users with access to Articulate 360 can produce simple e-learning courses fairly quickly
-Quick to create good-looking (relatively simple) e-learning content quickly

5- Gomo – Best for experienced learning designers that are not looking for advanced customization
-They have an offline mobile app and Gomo Central, which is a cloud-based learning portal

6- Lectora – Gives traditional, capable authors an effective tool for producing HTML5 content
-Free access to E-learning Brothers graphics libraries

7- Adapt – Designed for technical authors who are looking to design bespoke HTML5 authoring through back-end design
-It’s free!

-If you’re a developer or have access to a developer, you can also use the (free) framework rather than the tool and create custom interactions/layouts, etc.

8- DominKnow – Perfect for teams whose focus is on responsive screen capture and software simulation
-Enables collaborative authoring and review; they also have user roles

-They have a wide range of “Actions” that give you flexibility in creating page types

9- Easygenerator – Authoring software designed for small teams who need to produce simple content, fast
-Good for authors who are just starting out building e-learning content – no coding necessary!

10- iSpring Suite – Desktop PowerPoint-based tool that’s a great option for novice learning designers who don’t have to worry about
updating content regularly
-Video editing

11- Evolve – Built for teams who need to collaborate together and don’t mind putting in the time to learn how to use it
- Pay for the time you’re using rather than for a full year

12- Camtasia – Video editing suite most commonly used for screen recordings, tutorials or product demos.
- Ability to save and re-use presets and templates


(3) Ethics In E-Learning:

- There are multiple Ethical issues that face the online learning community and some of them are the inappropriate assistance on examinations, misuse of sources on papers and projects, improper use of academic resources, writing assistance and other inappropriate tutoring and the disrespcting the work of others.

- Another aspect of the ethical side of online learning is with ones own consciousness which is related to self discipline, self motivation and ones ability to set goals and pursue means to achieve the goals and some of the criticism that online learning gets that its never going to substitute face to face learning in some sense i could say that this is true but e-learning with all its faults is better that no learning and i would say that e-learning could be better if conducted well with a secure and private environment that would aid the students intellectual ability and help him get better results and talking about the most important disadvantage of online learning especially in universities and schools is obviously cheating and dishonesty

- Although online learning is becoming more and more prevalent, there still persist myths about what it means to be an online student. One frequently discussed topic in the world of online education is cheating. According to one 2009 study, 73.8% of students surveyed felt that it was easier to cheat in an online class. This skewed perspective — that cheating is so easy — can lead to misconceptions about how prevalent cheating really is in the online setting.Because online courses often do not involve face-to-face instruction, the uninitiated can easily fall prey to the idea that cheating is rampant. After all, how could a professor that is miles or even states away prevent students from just googling the answers to their tests which is true but on the other side there are some ways of stopping these types of dishonest behaviors but i think they are all useless especially if your taking the test at home there are hundreds of ways to cheat and pass your so it all depends on you and what kind of person are you

- If we take a look into the future of e-learning we will see outstanding possibilities and chances that these technologies will offer to learners if we observe what the Japanese scientist has done to develop learning technology called Japan's first robot teacher The Japanese robot saya has already been used as a receptionist and secretary.
Now she is to become the world's first robot teacher. The professor Hiroshi Kobayashi has been developing saya for over 15 years. A primary school in Tokyo will be the first recipients of saya as a teacher Saya is multilingual and will do roll call as well as set tasks from textbooks so from that perspective we can see that technology can be implemented in a very helpful way

- E-learning is not just a change of technology. It is part of a redefinition of how we as a species transmit knowledge, skills, and values to younger generations of worker that will lead the future so we need to set an example for them.



(4) The Impact of E-Learning:


1)Introduction

E-learning and distance learning has become a significant tool in our lives eversince the pandemic. yet there still is confusion on what the difference between e-learning and distance leraning.

Feature E-learning Distance Learning
Definition Learning that utilizes electronic technology Learning that takes place remotely
Delivery Methods Online courses, video tutorials, interactive simulations, and mobile apps Websites, LMS, mobile devices, correspondence courses, audio/video lessons, and self-study programs
Interaction with Instructor Varies, but often minimal May be limited or nonexistent
Flexibility Learners have control over their own learning pace and schedule Learners may need to adhere to set schedules
Price It may be less expensive than traditional classroom-based instruction It may be less expensive than traditional classroom-based instruction, but there may be additional costs for technology or materials

Everything that uses the internet is cathegorized e-learning but everything that is tougth by a person behind a computer is called distance learning. E-learning is also distance lerning but the other way around isn't correct.

2) Theories, Principles and Types of E-Learning

Theories and Principles of E-Learning

For an effective learning experience there are important elements and principles that need to be incorporated into an E-Learning program or website. These include a learner, a mentor, a suitable environment and knowledge, whereby the learner should always be at their centre. The principle of adding the own personal knowledge, skills, and attitudes to the learning experience plays as well a significant role in the online education. E-Learning comprises various forms of interaction, that should be comprehended by both the learners and educators. Therefore the ability for the learners to interact on E-Learning websites and programs is just as important to their learning processes as critical thinking and cognitive skills. How these principles are applied to the learning processes can be seen in the different types of E-Learning mentioned further.

Types of e-learning

1.Asynchronous E-Learning
Asynchronous E-learning is the most frequently used type of E-learning, giving students the flexibility to proceed through course materials at their own pace. Therefore, learners can access the course material and complete thier assignments at any time and from anywhere, as the necessar content is conveniently available for them online. It allows the learners to learn on their own schedule, within a certain timeframe they set for themselves. They can access and complete lectures, readings, homework and other learning materials at any time during a one- or two-week period. Many people take online courses because of the advantages the asynchronous E-Learning method gives them, as they are able to combine education with work, family and other commitments. It allows them to log on to an e-learning environment at any time and download documents or send messages to teachers or peers. It may come in the form of pre-recorded lectures, discussion forums, reading assigned materials, and participating in discussion boars on a learning management system (LMS) or online platform, without having to participate in live sessions. 

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2. Synchronous E-learning
Synchronous E-learning empowers students to connect with their instructors, teacher and classmates, regardless of location through a virtual learning environment. In contrast to asynchronous learning methods, synchronous online education necessitates real-time participation simultaneously as everyone else. This type of e learning is commonly supported by media such as videoconferencing and online chats, that make live discussions, immediate feedback, and real-time collaboration possible. It is perceived by both learners and teachers as a more social experience, where they can interact in real time with each other, ask and answer questions and therefore avoid any possible frustrations with the learning process directely. Some examples of synchronous e-learning are video conferences like Zoom, Google Meet or WebEx but also phone calls or text messages are frequently used. This type of learning is especially benefitial when the participants need to have discussions of sensitive issues or projects as it allows an active and elaborative engagement with each other, clarifying any doubts on the spot. Therefore as learning obstacles are removed much sooner, it gives them the possibility to accelerate their learning curve.
source for image; https://startkiwi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/image1.png

3. Gamification
Gamification involves implanting game-related elements into nongame environments like a website, online community or learning management system to increase participation. It provides the learners with proactive directives and feedback through game mechanics and dynamics added to online platforms. Game mechanics involve rules and rewards that appear in a program and include points, levels, missions and progress. Game dynamics are mechanics that evoke emotions, behaviors and desires among people collectively. This includes competition through leaderboards, collaboration by completing team missions and community by seeing other participants on a news feed. Immediate feedback on performance is received as the learner interacts with a gamification programm and is guided towards new achievements. The main aim of this form of e-learning is to surpass the mental obstacle frequently linked with learning and make the learning experience more enjoyable and captivating.

4. Microlearning
Microlearning exemplifies e-learning by providing learners with compact and easily digestible modules of information. Therefore it is characterised by small learning units, short burts of content or short term learning activities. By limiting each module to a single topic, this methodology maximizes absorption efficiency for the learner. Some advantages are that this type of E-learning is more engaging and less time-consuming compared to other methods. Examples for micorlearning would be tests, quizzes, games like simple single-screen challanges but also images and videos. Repeatedly studying and revisiting a topic before forgetting the studied material improves the general retention of the student. Microlearning units are small, self-contained, and easily accessible and as a result well-suited for this type of repeated study.

5. Computer Managed Learning
In Computer Managed Learning (CML) only computers are used for managing and assessing learning processes by operating through information databases. The learner needs to memorise the bits of information contained in these databases. A two-way communication between the student and the computer takes place in which measurements are made, determining whether the learning goals were achieved on a satisfactory level or not.

6. Computer Assisted Instruction
In Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) the traditional teaching methods are combined together with computers which enables students to become active learners by utilising specific computer-assisted teaching and testing mechanisms. This could include interactive software or generally the combination of multimedia like graphics, sound, text or videos during a teaching process.

3) Development of E-Learning over time

E-learning is not a brand-new concept. It has been around for a while. Massive Open Online Courses, or MOOCs, were created for the first time in 2002 at MIT. The MIT OpenCourseWare initiative served as the impetus for the open educational resources (OER) movement, which gave rise to the first MOOCs. The open education movement began when research revealed no relationship between learning outcomes and class size.
The growth of e-Learning has been made possible by many aspects such as the decline of cost for internet as well as the personal computer. The technology was now affordable for everyone. With this change people were driven to learn. They became more and more curious. With this rise in demand for knowledge, institusions started to provide courses on different topics.

The period from 2006 to 2010 marked a pivotal era in the realm of e-learning, witnessing a remarkable surge in its adoption, innovation, and impact. This transformative period was fueled by a convergence of technological advancements, shifting learner preferences, and the growing recognition of e-learning's potential to revolutionize education. It was less expensive, and it removed geographical boundaries. E-books were on the rise, mobile technology was improving, the digitization of libraries took place, and there was even talk about virtual reality. By 2008, every fourth college offered an online course, and there were about 4.6 million online students in the US. The worth of the e-learning industry leaped from $6.5 million in 2003 to $27.1 million in 2008.

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) turn out to be a game-changer in e-learning, allowing access to higher education and professional development in different work environments. MOOCs offer free or low-cost courses to a global audience, providing learners with the opportunity to learn from top universities like Harvard, Yale or Oxford or from industry experts. These can be represented by top hospitals or professors introducing an industry standard everyone should know. The subjects that these courses cover are endless. From computer science to medicine everything is possible.

The first MOOC was offerd in 2008 by Sebastian Thrun and Peter Norvig from Stanford University. The course called "introduction to Artificial Inteligence" attracted over 160,000 students.
MOOCs have had a significant impact on e-learning. They have made education more accessible and affordable than ever. People from all over the world could participate in these classes without the need to be present or to live in the particular country. Additionally, MOOCs have helped to innovate the e-learning thematic, as educators have been forced to find new and creative ways to engage learners in order not only to entertain the students but also to accommodate the learning type of some students.

Today MOOCs are still relevant, but they have come far from what they originally were. Since their introduction MOOCs were often criticized for their lack of interaction and engagement with the human behind the online medium. However, many MOOC providers have now added features such as video lectures, discussion forums, and group projects to their courses. This not only humanizes the process of learning by interacting with other people but also gives one the feeling of really being heard and being recognised as a person. Therefore are today's MOOC’s for training individuals in different environments and alo to teach people with great wishes and even greater ambition.

The advancements in educational technologies also affected the healthcare industry by modernizing its workplaces and customizing learning. This is greatly useful compared to traditional learning, as each healthcare student and professional gets the chance to adjust their education to their personal needs.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) are two technologies that are still in the process of developing but are also revolutionizing the e-learning landscape. By combining these technologies, educators can create more immersive, personalized, and effective learning experiences for students of all ages and backgrounds.

2020 represented a challenge to the world with the spreading pandemic forcing many shools, universitys and employers to adapt to e- and distance learning. One of these universitys was Harvard University. Its plans for limiting the spread of covid-19 obviously self-isolation and quarantine for those who migth have been exposed to the virus. But it also asked supervisors to allow for flexibilty using e- and distance leraning platforms for those who are at risk. Many classes durig that period were online based due to the insecurity that the virus brougth all over the globe.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption and transformation of e-learning, marking a new era in education. E-learning is poised to become an integral part of the education landscape, offering flexibility, accessibility, and personalized learning experiences for students of all ages and backgrounds. It opend the future for integrating e-learning into the traditional classroom furthermore it has opend a spectrum for different lerners and their way to learn. Institutions can offer videos helping to undrstand the given topic

The healthcare sector is changing quickly, and in order to give their patients the best care possible, healthcare workers must stay up to date on the newest developments in medical technology, laws, certifications, and training. Although traditional classroom training has long been a staple of medical education, e-learning has emerged as a strong alternative with a number of unique benefits for the medical field professionals.
The advantages of e-learning are numerous and include adaptability to different learning styles, scalability, accessibility, ease of use, personalization, cost-effectiveness, shorter travel times, ongoing learning opportunities, and the capacity to overcome geographic obstacles. These advantages have the potential to greatly improve learning outcomes, increase information retention, and advance healthcare workers' careers in general.

4) Can Screen Based learning Change the Younger Generation?

Screen based learning, or online learning, has provided a great academic help to milions of teaching institutes all around the world, enabling students to study from the leisure of their homes even in restraining times such as the pandemic. Now, it has been more than 3 years ever since the wave of E-Learning appeared during the Coronavirus pandemic, and scientists can confirm some predictions on how this abrupt change in lifestyle affected the younger generation.
As such, the evident change in the lives of children regarding E-Learning, especially during the pandemic, was the lack of physical social interaction, which is a defining factor in the proper growth and development of a child. The accomodation to the online world has taught children the accesiblity and ease with which one can socialise. This factor has altered the perceivement of social interaction in the younger generation, thus E-Learning may be considered the first step on the pathway towards a completely digitalised world. Furthermore, another study shows the way the younger generation's literal capacity may be changed because of the material they do their reading on. For example, studying exclusively on PDFs or reading papers online will have a different effect on a child's brain than reading from a piece of paper. The digital screen impairs the reader from fully imersing in the piece they are reading, as such unabling one to form proper attention spam.
There were many pros to the digitalisation of the world, specifically starting in the wave that occured in 2020, ease of access, continuity of education, and many more positive aspects. It is only now, after considerable time has passed, that people realise also the negative effects this change has brought upon us and especially the younger generation.

5) Menatal Health issues caused by E-Learning

It has recently been observed by a number of countries conducting researches that students have suffered from diverese mental health issues through the course of the E-Learning phase in the pandemic. It recently came to light that students all over the world have had an incersease in anxiety disorder and some even depression. Studies show that this incresease, espeically in anxiety, is because of the dissociation from society that that the students were normally used to. The lack of peer to peer realtionships, teacher - student relationships and the normal conductance of life on a day to day basis, which implied human connection, has driven young adults into a sense of anxiety and unease, being unable to make sense and adjust to the abrupt changes happening in the world. These changes have even caused depression in some, with the highest number of reported depression cases after the pandemic years ever reported. As such, with all the miracles that E-Learning and a digitalised world has offered society in order for it to advance, adapt and overcome challenges such as Coronavirus, the human mind is not yet adapted to a world where social interaction is abolished, thus mental health issue cases have been an ongoing problem in our world ever since the condoning of a digitalised world.
On one hand, the day-to-day convenience digitalisation has brought is one that society as a whole must be grateful for and use daily to our benefit in order to create confort in our endeavours as much as we can. On the other hand, the human race is a social one, and our social needs must be fulfilled in order to prevent mental health issues from impairing our daily lives, as such, digitalisation, more specifically E-Learning, must be done in such a way that convenience is achieved but also thatbasic human needs are respected as well.

6) E-Learning in Medicine - Current Status & Future Development

E-learning in Medicine on the most part has proved very productive. Medicine is a realm of knwoledge where innovation is a constant and only something as powerful and everpresent as the internet could keep up with the constant shifts, changes and disagreements of the science world. The internet and fast communication has allowed all involved in medicine, from scientists to medical students, to rejoice in the newest update in the medical world. As such, E-learning proved very produtive and as a means to an end in regards to conferences, lessons and so on. Professors have been able to keep their students up with everything that has happened and continue to teach them their craft. One particular thing that has been a problem with E-learning in Medicine is the lack of physical connection between doctors and their residents. Medicdal students that do not need the first hand experience to practice yet have proved to be productive even in an online enviroment, but residents and older-year studentshave had issues to understanding and adjusting to the hospital enviroment they were supposed to work in. This has been a setback for many institutes, as for a medical students the first hand experience has proved countless of times to be the most relevant one in the forming of future doctors. Nonetheless, adaptation to the situation has yielded many new doctors in the pandemic years and to this point E-learning has shown it's benefits, thus for the future, it will only become better and more important for medical studies.
With a bright future ahead for E-Learning in Medicine,future students can expect many new developemnts in their teaching and a transition to a blended method of learning between physical and online classes. E-Learning can bring new resources to classes such as simulations of patient cases and diagnosis making, or the efficient transfer of the duties of some specialities to an online enviroment, such as for radiolography or EKG reading. The medical world is expanding and so are the digital opportunities to make everything more accesible for students and doctors alike, with high end online programmes for learning and for working as well.

7) E-learning in Medicine in Low and Middle Income Countries

Using E-Learning in medical education could potentially ease the impact of healthcare worker shortages and provide affordable access to qualitative medical training in low- and middle income countries. But, there are still many obstacles related to infrastructure and integration that need to be faced before implementing E-Learning as a practical solution.
Limited financial resources and assessment approaches caused by an overemphasis when evaluating the individual learners perceptions and knowledges are some of the reasons for the limited success in the implementation. Most low income countries are constrained and struggle with their access to electricity and internet or are even facing different climate environments like dust and hot temperatures, which is why the sustainability of the technical devices, need to be adapted to these given settings. For the future implementation of E-Learning devices in the medical field it should be assured that the technical devices can also be repaired as these countries might lack the local staff or material for it, considering that most of them are imported form other places. Since most of the low-resource countries are facing a lack of medical teachers the development of E-Learning materials are slowed down. However, students may contribute to E-Learning contents themselves in order to decrease the work load of medical teachers by creating step-by-step, peer-reviewed video guides on medical procedures, like measuring blood pressure or taking blood from patients.
E-Learning implementations could therefore increase the quality and quantity of medical education while at the same time decrease the workload of medical teachers in low income countries. However, to ensure a successful implementation of E-Learning tools a better access to electricity, internet and the possibility to restore these electronically devices should be established in lower and middle income countries in the future.

8) Factors influencing the effectiveness of E-Learning in healthcare

Limited access to educational resources, lack of reliable internet connectivity, geographical isolation and limited availability of specialised training programs and instructors are just some to the challenges that healthcare professionals in remote or rural areas have to face. These obstacles impair their access to E-Learning and their professional development.


9) Sources

https://www.edapp.com/blog/types-of-e-learning/
https://er.educause.edu/articles/2008/11/asynchronous-and-synchronous-elearning
https://www.techsmith.com/blog/synchronous-vs-asynchronous-communication/#:~:text=Synchronous
https://www.easygenerator.com/en/blog/e-learning/synchronous-learning-vs-asynchronous-learning/
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