What Will the Future of eLearning Look Like?

In early 2020, the world of education underwent a sudden and vast transformation. While a handful of organizations decided to end classes early (or to cancel upcoming ones) to slow the spread of coronavirus, the majority in the United States sought out an alternative course of action.

As a result, we saw the pivoting of in-person classes to an online format in what felt like the blink of an eye. Institutions that opted for eLearning over cancellations were required to quickly adapt to this change, and instructors, students, and parents were left with no choice but to follow suit.

Online or remote learning undoubtedly presents some challenges, just as in-person learning does. For instance, eLearning can be especially trying for underprivileged students who lack internet or a computer at home. Certain online learning platforms may have bugs that still need to be worked out. However, organizations and schools are generally aware of such challenges and are actively looking for ways to overcome them. 

“While some critics describe eLearning as inferior, others feel that it’s the future of education—and that we’d better get used to it. So what might this future hold?”

From a business viewpoint, learning from home is inarguably more cost-effective. If schools don’t need to provide an in-person learning space, they can save on electricity, heat, air conditioning, cleaning services, and more. 

And when it comes to higher education, the need for reduced costs becomes even more pressing. For example, what virtual colleges save on overhead can be passed on to the college student. At Eastern Kentucky University, online students pay almost half as much in tuition—compare $400 per credit hour for online classes to $735 if you’re from out of state and on campus. 

Whether or not funding is an issue for a school, the environmental benefits of learning from home also warrant consideration. One British study found that, by eliminating the daily commute to class, CO2 emissions are reduced by up to 85%—an outcome whose value needs no explanation.    

Aside from being more affordable and eco-friendly, eLearning has proven itself to be a safer alternative to in-person classes. During a pandemic, it may go without saying that online classes are safer, but the health benefits of learning from home may actually extend beyond flattening the curve.

For one, the cessation of the daily commute can mean more free time for students. To the horror of many, a 2018 study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that 73% of high schoolers weren’t getting enough sleep. 

This same report warned that teens who under-sleep are “at increased risk for chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and poor mental health, as well as injuries, attention and behavioral problems, and poor academic performance.” For overworked students who regularly sacrifice sleep for studies, having more time to rest could equate to improved health. 

It’s not just students who benefit from telecommuting; school employees who work from home can save time, as well. A study by Brandon Hall Group discovered that employees spend “40 to 60 percent less time to study a particular material via e-learning than in a traditional classroom setting... due to employees being able to access training online whenever they need it, without interrupting their workflow.” 

And the benefits of eLearning don’t end with health. Other studies have found that students learn more with an online format. For instance, the Research Institute of America found that “e-learning boosts retention rates by 25 to 60 percent, compared to retention rates of 8 to 10 percent with traditional training.” The reason? Students have “more control over the learning process” and can view course materials for as long and as often as necessary.  

So, if eLearning is as advantageous as it sounds, will it eventually replace the traditional classroom altogether? Some experts in education assert that it will not.

Consider, for example, that there are certain disciplines and course types that might never be compatible with online education. According to four science professors, at least one aspect of education is struggling to keep up this year: research. 

This is because research, as well as laboratory work, often requires access to highly specialized equipment. Steve Biegalski, the chair of NEDHO, remarks that, “the switch [to eLearning] has gone fairly well... [but] laboratory courses have not transitioned as well as regular classroom lectures.” 

Other professors seem to be adjusting rather well. Samuel Briggs of Oregon State University notes, “Most of us are falling back on research tasks that can be performed remotely—either remote operation of experimental facilities, experimental design, modeling, and simulation tasks, or, in my case, writing proposals and trying to get long-overdue articles submitted to scientific journals.”

While eLearning may not send the concept of the traditional classroom into extinction, its numerous benefits will likely propel it further along its current trajectory.

Tiffany Sorensen holds a Master of Science in Spanish-English Translation from New York University. She works remotely from sunny Mexico, where she gives English and Spanish classes, writes educational articles, and designs practice tests for the ACT.