A discussion on E-learning offered in Malaysian universities: Pros and Cons from the students perspective

What is e-learning? E-learning is the use of electronic equipment to allow you to study anytime and anywhere. It can be in form of CD-ROM-based, network-based, intranet-based or internet-based. 

Nowadays, most of the local or private universities in Malaysia have applied e-learning because it give a lot of convenient to students and lecturers. Although it can give a lot of advantages but also cause some disadvantages. 

Firstly, students and lecturers can save their time and cost from travel. Lecturers can just upload the study material to the website and students can direct download. Besides, the materials which is given by the lecturers to students will be consistent and lack of bias. Therefore, it will fair to all student because the materials are same. In addition, the website also act as a stage of integration between students and lecturers. Especially for those students who are not dare to ask lecturers question face to face or because of the unmatchable the time. They ask any doubts on the study on certain subject and do some discussion in the forum.

For instance, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman has provided https://wble-sl.utar.edu.my/login/index.php as a stage of integration between students and lecturers. Students can download the study material from this site. Besides, lecturers or tutor can do announcement or discussion with students in the forum which exists inside the UTAR intranet. 

However, there also have some disadvantages in e-learning. When the website is down, lecturers unable to upload the study material to the website. At the same time, students also unable to log in and download the materials. Therefore, it can delay the time study especially those documents which is important for the exam. Apart from that, some students may not that often to log in the website if their home don't have internet. This will cause them unable to log in the website and look for the important announcement from the lecturers. In addition, through the e-learning, it will decrease the face to face contact between students and lecturers. This may cause the social communication of the students become worse and hard to communicate with people when he/she steps in the society.

In conclusion, e-learning can carry out many advantages but at the same time also cause some disadvantages. As a student, we should not only rely on internet and study through the website. We also need to find the lecturers and ask the question if do not understand in study. Thus, we can balance up the advantages and disadvantages when doing the e-learning.

Reference:


Web Based Learning Environment @ UTAR Sungai Long. from 
https://wble-sl.utar.edu.my/login/index.php
What is E-Learning. from
http://www.e-learningconsulting.com/consulting/what/e-learning.html
What is E-Learning. from http://communication.howstuffworks.com/elearning1.htm