Advantages and Disadvantages of E-learning: Business Studies Essay

This essay, submitted for a BA in Business Studies (Foundation Year), analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning. It begins by explaining the rise of e-learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The essay highlights the benefits such as affordability, increased confidence for shy students, ...Read More

Assignment 1 – An essay and personal reflection
SSHE
<Advantages and Disadvantages of E-learning and
personal reflection>
BA in Business Studies (Foundation Year)
Date of Submission:<Date of Submission>
I declare that this assignment is all my own work and that I have acknowledged all materials used from the published or
unpublished works of other people. All references have been duly cited

In this assignment, the topic being written about is the advantages and disadvantages of E-learning.
E-learning is learning utilising technology , such as phones , tablets and computers/laptops. In order
to access educational lessons rather than a traditional classroom. This is an important topic
because , E-learning has taken over and become the new norm since the COVID-19 pandemic
triggered . Which led to everyone having to social distance and stay at home . Making it impossible
and unethical for people to go into schools. This essay will portray both negative and positive
aspects of E-learning. For example how it could have effected people badly or even how it became a
lot more convenient For each individual partaking in E-learning.
The first advantage of E-learning is affordability. Since E-learning has started both students and
teachers have had the privilege of not spending money on transportation and real estate(Steph Puri
2018). Which are the two major costs that are spent when attending college in person. As students
had to pay for transport going and coming home from education or if they traveled by car they
would have to pay for parking. In addition to being able to access all the materials online for free , as
many times as you want . Rather than having to go and purchase resources on multiple occasions.
Having it all online is more efficient.
Secondly , gain of confidence is another advantage brought by E-learning for shy kids. E-learning has
encouraged shy kids to open up more in their online lessons and take part. As they are in their
comfort zone at home without any class, teacher and student pressure. E-learning has also benefits
students with anxiety as they can learn at their own pace and study without social drama (achieve
academy 2020).
Lastly, another advantage due to E-learning is the increased access&reach. Now that E-learning is on
technology , which can be accessed on your phone , tablet .laptop or computers. With connection,
all students can their online lessons any where in the world no matter the location . And a physical
class required students to go in to school , so if students are not feeling as well they can still access
their lessons online without missing any materials . However physically going to school they
wouldn’t be able to in order to not contaminate other student, which led to low attendance and
missed materials.
On the other hand there is also disadvantages to E-learning , The first reason being technology
issues. Even thought internet penetration has grown over 12 months , students can still encounter
Internet problems . For example if they live in a small town or an area that doesn’t have a lot of
service they can have difficulties connection to internet.( Lisa Plitnichenko 2020) Especially for those
who live in a shared accommodation and the internet capacity is low , this can be a problem as all
student are now partaking in E-learning.
Another disadvantage of E-learning is focus deficit. As students are in their homes or some might
have gone away but are still connecting to their virtual lectures . There is a high chance of many
getting distracted and losing focus due to long periods of time . For example if they are home and
having family member , that is a distraction especially if the family members need to be tend to , as
many are in a home environment they can get sleepy and be uses they isn’t physically students and
teachers around to tell them they are sleepy , the students can fall asleep durning lessons and lastly
because is a long period of time just siting on their desk at home they will feel like doing errands at
home and leave the desk. (Wilber Paiz 2020)

Lastly manage screen time , is also a disadvantage of E-learning. As to some students it could be bad
for their health and cause difficulties for them to learn. As on average an adult should only spend
11hours on screen as being on screen more than that can cause health issues. Such as
insomnia( Clea Simon 2020) , eye strain and headaches ( scripps 2020).
My person experience during E-learning has been both positive and negative. Some of the positive
aspects of E-learning for me has been I don’t have to travel long distance especially as I have kids ,
I’m still able to stay close and tend to them when they need. I have also been able to study from
anywhere . However there has been some negatives such as . Difficult to pay attention as I live with
other people . In my option I feel that E-leading is positive to an extent as, it’s practical and
convenient for some people. On the other hand it’s difficult to get first hand experience and extra
clarification from the teacher as it’s online rather than getting a physical response. E-learning is also
most difficult for those who are on the placement years as a lot of businesses and companies are
closed due to COVID-19.
In conclusion to this assignment I have out with a positive and negative aspects of e-learning giving
real life examples and statistics also include and evidence of the positive and negative aspects of e-
learning both primary and secondary resources I have also Operated my personal experience of e-
learning during COVID-19 and overall e-learning has both it’s positive and they get of aspects due to
many reasons. Some that can be improved and some that are very difficult to tackle for example
manage scream time due to it being bad for some peoples health. I believe there are ways that this
can be tackled however it could impact the students and teachers learning.
Reference
Seth Puri (2018) 5 advantages of E learning , Available
at: https://www.trainingindustry.com/articles/e-learning/5-advantages-of-e-learning/
(Accessed: 29th January 2021).
(2020) How online school can be better for students with social anxiety, Available
at: https://www.eachieve.com/special-needs/how-online-school-can-be-better-for-students-
with-social-anxiety/ (Accessed: 29th January 2021).
(2020) The COVID-19 pandemic has changed education forever. This is how , Available
at: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/coronavirus-education-global-covid19-online-
digital-learning/ (Accessed: 29th January 2021).

Lisa Plitnichenko (2020) 10 Challenges of E-Learning during COVID-19, Available
at: https://jellyfish.tech/10-challenges-of-e-learning-during-covid-19/ (Accessed: 2021 January ).
Wilber Paiz (May 5 2020) Student Loss of Focus During Online Classes, Available
at: https://tafttribune.org/5631/opinion/student-loss-of-focus-during-online-classes/
(Accessed: Jan 2021).
Scripps (February 2019) How Much Screen Time Is Too Much?, Available
at: https://www.scripps.org/news_items/6626-how-much-screen-time-is-too-much(Accessed: January
2021).
Clea Simon (April 2020) Insomnia in the pandemic , Available
at: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2020/04/sleep-problems-becoming-risk-factor-as-
pandemic-continues/ (Accessed: January 2021).