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E-learning is based on the use of electronic media and various other technologies to impart education. It has revolutionized education in terms of its reach as well providing a cheaper alternative to traditional classroom coaching. E-Learning includes various multimedia formats like audio, text, video, images, etc. and uses internet technologies to reach out to the end users. E-learning is based on the concept of learning anytime and anywhere.

E-Learning is categorized as Asynchronous learning and Synchronous learning. Asynchronous learning is a self paced module whereas Synchronous learning is an instructor led teaching module.

Lately E-Learning is being preferred by different organizations and various sectors as it is proving to be a cost efficient way of learning. With the cost of electronic items going down every year and advent of new technologies, e-learning is gaining traction.

Tata Infotech conducted a study and found that E- learning cost up to 32 percent lesser than class based coaching. This could be deduced easily as cost involved in classroom based coaching would be naturally higher due to the cost involved in faculty, infrastructure, travel, accommodation and salary. A basic e-learning infrastructure could involve an end terminal and an internet connection.

Caterpillar University constructed a mathematical model  to calculate key cost components in learning and found that E-learning is very cost efficient when it comes to learning population. In an E-learning class of 100 which is for a duration of one hour, it would cost 40 percent lesser than traditional coaching. The greater cost benefit of E-learning is visible when learning population is as high as 40,000, then the savings shoots up to 78 percent as compared to classroom coaching. This is not it; the study material development cost is also lower than the traditional classroom based study material.

Following are some reasons why E-learning is a value for money deal and saves cost.

Scalability – As known from the above study when it comes to increasing the learning population it saves you a lot of money as compared to traditional method, leading to higher enrolment.

Coursework upgradation – With E-learning the course material can be easily upgraded with virtually no cost and at a short span of time. The time efforts required for the same up gradation would be visibly high.

Return on Investment – The various tools in E-learning helps you generate reports to analyze your returns on investment whereas a traditional method it is difficult to deduce ROIs.

Due to these benefits it is being used across the globe. In Taiwan MOST (Ministry of Science and Technology) oversees a website name Story and Painting House which is gaining popularity not only amongst students but also parents. It is built for a self-guided learning and also allows students to save online picture books. It has varied multimedia resource available.

“The website’s innovative student-centered approach helps children to use their imaginations and motivates them to strengthen their organization skills.” Said Liu Kuo-ping, a teacher from Taoyuan County’s Ren Shen Elementary School.

The Michigan State University runs its own E learning website called elevateU which is meant for the staff and faculty who are looking to expand and upgrade their skills. E learning is being used extensively for professional development.

Due to the cheaper cost E learning is being adopted by African countries where resources are a big constraint. ICEW in Germany surveyed 1,444 E Learning professionals from 55 countries in Africa through email. Harlord Ellletson, the lead researcher surveyed the professionals and found E learning is being used in government teaching, health and agriculture.

29 percent of the surveyed population responded with laptop as their mode of e learning followed by 18%, 17%, 16% for tablet, smartphones and basic mobiles respectively.

Conclusion – E learning is replacing the traditional coaching methods because of cheaper cost and higher availability worldwide.