The Impacts of E-learning and Academic Performance of University Students

Introduction

Computers became the most useful tool not only in the corporate world but also in the pedagogical settings. The connection of the computer and Internet became the second library of the students and through the Internet; the students can learn to develop not only their communication skill but gathering additional knowledge and skills. Fostering the interaction of the technology in education the development of the E-learning or Technology enhanced Learning is introduced.

Background of the Study and Problem Statement

E-learning is best described as the online learning and the networked learning. Through the use of the computer based-education, computer-based instruction, and computer supported learning, the distance or obstacles in education is not anymore part of the boundary that limits the professionalism especially on the college students (Coldwell, et al., 2008). With this idea, what are the impacts of E-learning in the universities based on the performance of the students?

Research Objectives

The research considered two objectives that fueled the entire study. First, the study attempts to identify the specific learning outcome with the intervention of the E-learning in many of the universities to promote the professionalism. And second is to make thrust on another pedagogical innovation that is with the concern of the Internet that can help support, improve, and implement the new way the learning.

Research Questions and Hypothesis

The research composed the basic questions to help the researchers in fulfillment of the paper. The following questions are related to the main topic and are presented below:

1. How does the technology as well as the idea of E-learning help the students develop their learning capacity?

2. How does the E-learning be an effective tool in facilitating the learning and communication in the academic performance of the students?

3. Does the E-learning helps to build a strong bridge in the relationship of the students and the teachers towards learning?

As part of the research hypothesis, the study highlights that there are many benefits that the E-learning can provide and the success of the integration of the education in the generation of technology is an effective strategy.

Literature Review

In the appearance of the computer in the school, the educators first considered the advantages that it can bring to them. Part of the advantages are the acceleration of learning, improve teaching conditions, and enhancement of the school and classroom management. Furthermore, there is a more positive outlook in the changes in the pedagogy by enriching the individualized learning. Of course, there are various failures in the bandwagon of changes but there is also exceeding number of success in the integration of the computers in schools (Rusten, 2004). In the introduction of the E-learning as another strategy for learning, many universities are aware about the benefits it can give to the students as well as on teachers (University of Ulster, 2005). Online learning can facilitate the learning by utilizing the software that is designed to deliver and manage the two important roles in education which is teaching and learning (Coldwell, et al., 2008).

Methodology and Limitations

The applied method of the study is through the incorporation of the questionnaires. The questionnaires cited the different issues in the usage of the students in the availability of the Internet and how does the Internet affect their learning capabilities. The questionnaires are only given to the students and included a free space where they can write their own ideas about the Internet-connection computer in relation to their studies. Since questionnaires provide precise answer, there is a limiting factor that the participants might not base their answer unto the first thing that comes into their mind. Which is important is assessing the behaviors of the students.

Conclusion

The continuous reform or innovation in the pedagogical context is not possible if there are no constraints available in the literature of the education. Sadly, there are emerging issues that were recognized before. And because of the changes and evolution, the issues concerns on education are continuously growing into numbers. It is hard to address all the educational challenges but with regards to the communication and information, there are some critical issues that can be briefly addressed.

References:

Coldwell, J., Craig, A., Peterson, T., & Mustard, J., 2008. Online Students: Relationships between Participation, Demographics and Academic Performance. The Electronic Journal of e-Learning, Vol. 6 No. 1. [Online] Available at: http://www.ejel.org/Volume-6/v6-i1/Coldwell_et_al.pdf. [Accessed 05 Feb 2010].

Rusten, E., 2004. Using Computers in Schools. [Online] Available at: http://learnlink.aed.org/Publications/Sourcebook/chapter4/Computers_in_Schools_modelofuse.pdf. [Accessed 05 Feb 2010].

University of Ulster, 2005. E-learning Strategy, Teaching and Learning Committee. [Online] Available at: http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice/download/TLC/4May2005/22%20-%20e-learning%20strategy.pdf. [Accessed 05 Feb 2010].