E – learning simply the learning process by using computer and internet. It utilize the technology for education outside the traditional learning environment. E Learning further know as online learning, computerized electronic learning, Distance Education, or internet learning. When discuss about the ways of learning, New era with technological advancement has provide more opportunities for the students to continue their education at any time, any place and any pace. The access and flexibility of the e learning has accelarated the interest of students towards online learning rather than traditional class room.
flexibility has gain attention in higher educational field, especially with distance education. Flexibility is “adaptability to learners needs and circumstances” (Bowles, 004, p.16). According to Van Den Brande (1993, p.3) it is the ability learners to learn;
1. when they want: frequency, timing, duration
2. How they want : modes of learning
3. what they want: what constitutes learning to the
MOst of the time, Online education provides independence to the students which increase the opportunities for interaction, which is again known as one of the most important factors for quality education. As pointed out by Daniel and Marquis (1979), Independent study in Flexible context give learners maximum control and provide means by which learning was made possible (Thorpe, 2002, p.135). Yet, there is a question with accountability, if each and every student has an understanding and if they are accountable for every aspect of their work. Holts and Radner (2006) also argued that the valid assessment is critical and challenging in online course and the biggest challenge is student’s accountability. In this regards, the flexibility of online courses provide students independence which is an advantage. According to Thorpe (2002, p.135), Independent study in flexible context has given learners maximum control and has provided the means by which learning was made possible . this independency in flexible context has further given more opportunities with access; such as it helps to meet divers needs and interests of students; enable A2 (anytime, anywhre) and part time study which give attraction to students; allow students to combine work and studies; enable students to develop social constructivists aspects and adapt to the change.
However, the issue is, SUch flexibility comes with a price and some long term impacts (Burge, 2012, p.3). These could be:
1. Difficulties for assessment : Lack of accountability in individual learning proces
2. Lack of responsibility
3. Plagiarism
4. Challenge the Quality education: lack of meta knowledge
Reference:
Holts, J, K., and Radner, B. (2006) Assessment and college progress : capacity building through formative and sumative programme evaluation. In. Williams, D.D., and Howell, S.L. (Eds). Online Assessment and evaluation : Emergin Practice. Information Science Publishing
Bowles, M.S. (2004). Relearning to e-learning : strategies for electronic learning and knowledge. Melborn University press.
Burge, E. (2012). Introduction : why look at flexibility?. in. Burge et al. Flexible pedagogy, flexible practice: notes from the trends of distance. Athabasca university press.
Thorpe, M. (2002). From independent learning to collaborative learning: new communities of practice in open,
distance and distributed learning, in Lea, M. and Nicoll, K. (Eds). Distributed learning.Social and cultural approaches to practice, RoutledgeFalmer, London. ISBN 0-415-26809-5
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