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Reference this paper: Al Rawashdeh, A. Z., et al., 2021. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using e-Learning in University

Education: Analyzing Students’ Perspectives. The Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 19(2), pp. 107-117, available online at

www.ejel.org

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using e-Learning in University

Education: Analyzing Students’ Perspectives

Alaa Zuhir Al Rawashdeh

1,2

, Enaam Youssef Mohammed

1, 3

, Asma Rebhi Al Arab

1

,

Mahmoud Alara

and Butheyna Al-Rawashdeh

4

Abstract: The architecture of a learning system implies a heavy task for e-learning to be integrated into a complicated

interesting way. Similarly, 80% students have responded that e-learning increases the possibility of contact between

students among themselves and between the students and the teacher. 73% students indicated that due to increasing

social isolation, they spend more time in front of the technical means of social interaction account and face-to-face with

others. 70% students have indicated that there is a presence of electronic illiteracy among parents, which reduces their

ability to follow their children electronically. It is essential for potential e-learners to understand the differences between

an e-learning classroom setting and a conventional classroom setting as there are both advantages and disadvantages of e-

learning to both environments that can probably influence their overall performance as a student.

Keywords: Advantages, Disadvantages, E-learning, University Education

for improving classroom engagement through positive environment, where students are deliberately engaged

in online tutorials for completing a task assigned to them.

E-learning ensures that students are completely involved as learning takes place together with texts, videos,

sounds, collaborative sharing, and interactive graphics. It may enhance the quality of teaching and learning,

report the need for higher institutions for maintaining competitive advantage, and access to education and

training in this globalizing marketplace for students (Islam, Beer and Slack, 2015). The integration of

information technology (IT) in the form of e-learning has resulted in the reduction of students cost while

improving the quality of learning and teaching (Songkram, 2015). This shows that e-learning can be economical

for students using it, and they can perform other useful activities in their spare time (Aparicio, Bacao and

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wide nature of the internet have generated a surge in the need for web-based learning and teaching. Distance

learning is an increasingly expanding environment, which enable users the flexibility to operate outside the

barriers of place and time. In university education, online learning is explained as learning that takes place

completely or partially over the internet (Gilbert, 2015). Online learning is beneficial to a number of learners

and appears as more common in settings from elementary schools to high schools and into post-secondary

education.

The role of engagement in e-learning is important for effective learning as it is not merely student-student

interaction that matters. There are six different forms of engagement that can be identified in distance

flexible, time scalable, and capable of lasting, even though there are many diverse tools. The learning space is

left under the control of the instructors and institutions using conventional learning management system

(LMS) irrespective of any external tools (Sarrab, Al-Shihi and Rehman, 2013). In particular, this leaves minimal

space for learners to organize their digital learning space and to carry-forward their activities.

Currently, higher education in United Arab Emirates is experiencing a major transformation, considering

increased accessibility. Knowledge is being created and implemented to the higher education setting with

innovative ways to obtain and share information and changes in technology at a rapid rate. Educational

institutions are providing online classes or courses using online elements and a face-to-face course delivery.

Universities deliver almost all courses using web-based technology to facilitate course contents’ delivery,

aim, following questions will be answered in this study.

Sociocultural theory and constructivism are beneficial to explain the use of social networks in online learning,

collaborative learning, and importance of social integration in online social learning environments. Lev

Vygotsky (1987) has explained that children learn effectively in a social environment, and create meaning using

engagement with others. A child is able to perform and solve more complicated tasks that he/she can

autonomously with direction, support, and collaboration. Students can actively participate in the learning

university education (Raspopovic et al., 2017). E-learning has been viewed as the ability to focus on the

requirements of individual learners. For instance, focusing on the needs of individual learners can deliver

knowledge in digital age effectively as compared to educational institutions’ needs or instructors (Huang and

Chiu, 2015). Objectives can be achieved in the shortest time with least efforts through e-learning. When

managing the e-learning environment, its effect on educational learning are observed in providing equal access

to the information regardless of the users’ locations, their ethnic origins, races, and ages. The environment for

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e-learning also help students or learners to rely on themselves so that instructors are no longer the solitary

knowledge source rather they serve as guides and advisors (Joshua et al., 2016).

Several studies have shown the positive effects of e-learning from the insights of learners or students (Gautam

and Tiwari, 2016; Martínez-Caro, Cegarra-Navarro and Cepeda-Carrión, 2015; Chang, 2016). For instance; e-

learning allows to observe much flexible learning ways to go for classes with much reduced need for travel.

Learners are allowed to get deeper insights of the information through activities that are carried-out in the

classroom through interactive video facility (Gautam and Tiwari, 2016; Martínez-Caro, Cegarra-Navarro and

Cepeda-Carrión, 2015). This allow learners to respond promptly toward the activities.

experience and learning (Radu, Radu and Croitoru, 2015). The integration and use of e-learning offers disabled

people an opportunity for advancing their education from any location. Four common types of e-learning

systems have been developed which includes; Learning Content Management System (LCMS), Learning

Support System (LSS), Learning Design System (LDS), and Learning Management System (LMS) (Adzharuddin

and Ling, 2013). Although all the system has a similar name, however, the function of each system is different.

In the process of e-learning, LMS has been widely used by various education institutions. It is further regarded

as a platform that is used to manage user’s experience while interacting with e-learning content. LMS in

general perform three common functions, which include; presenting and systematizing training content,

create assignments to test and solidify knowledge, to evaluate progress (Rietsema, 2016). The LMS software is

further used to publish, plan, deliver, and place self placed online courses. Muruthy & Yamin (2017) in their

Other important benefits as highlighted by Al-Handhali, Al-Rasbi, & Sherimon (2020) indicated several benefits

of LMS, making it user friendly, effective in managing time, provide ease in the management of courses,

teachers, facilities, generate reports. It further provides timely reminder to users which include; date of

deliveries, answering questions, test dates etc. Aydin & Tirkes (2010) in their study analyzed the usefulness of

LMS and Moodle. Findings of the study indicated that Moodle, undoubtedly is one of the effective tools of

LMS. Some of the identified advantages include its flexibility following the modules employed and help in any

in teaching through any style or environment mode. Considering the modular design and its user interface,

lead towards either limited or negative outcomes. Such as; Arkorful and Abaidoo (2015) in their study outlined

that e-learning, in certain cases is held through remoteness and contemplation resulting in lack of student’s

interaction. In comparison with the contemporary mode of education, e-learning might result in being less

effective due to the absence of face to face encounter with instructions or teachers. Since in e-learning

method, assessments are generally held online which reduces the possibility of restricting illegitimate activities

such as; cheating, plagiarism etc (Arkorful and Abaidoo, 2015). The absence of essential personal interactions

is the most noticeable drawback of e-learning, not only among colleague learners, but also between

instructors and learners (Islam, Beer and Slack, 2015). There is a scarcity of community in the online learning

environment as student-student engagement is much less of a concern when compared with student-

instructor interaction. Gilbert (2015) highlighted that most of the students wish to work autonomously to

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introducing an online course. Aparicio, Bacao and Oliveira, (2016) in their study evaluated the influence of

cultural characteristics which includes individualism and collectivism in determining the perceived success of e-

learning. Findings of the study indicated a significant influence of individualism and collectivism on

organizational and individual impacts.

Technology is a platform that can be easily acquired for granted when it is engaged into daily life, but it is not

widely used because of the lack of monetary benefits for achieving access. The global knowledge available on

the internet is led by increasing the proportion of computers and other electronic devices to students

(Talebian, Mohammadi and Rezvanfar, 2014). Another disadvantage is maintaining motivation in an online

duration of the course. Students lack motivation and can easily lose sight of their original objective, rapidly

become lost within the course, and consequently withdraw from the course (Raspopovic et al., 2017).

Therefore, it is pertinent to determine the success of an individual to undertake an online course by

understanding learning styles and self-behaviour.

3.2 Population and Sampling

University students in UAE have been considered as population for this study and; thus, students enrolled in

Ajman University in the second semester of the academic year 2018-2019 were considered as study

population. Students in other semesters and academic years were excluded from the inclusion criteria. None

of the faculty staff was considered as a part of this study. Based on the sample size calculation and number of

students studying in second semester, 100 students were randomly selected as a sample for this study, with an

equal male and female ratio.

3.3 Procedure

Prior to the data collection, a permission was acquired from the academic’s director of Ajman university and

the nature and objective of the study was explained in a formal arranged meeting. After obtaining permission

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Table 2: Advantages of E-learning

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technical means of social interaction account and face-to-face with others. 70% students have indicated that

there is a presence of electronic illiteracy among parents, which reduces their ability to follow their children

electronically. 68% students have revealed that the application of e-learning needs to a certain extent of

qualified users to deal with technological developments used in this type of education.

Table 3: Disadvantages of E-learning

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Table 4: Other Advantages and Disadvantages

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Students are progressively achieving access to the far-reaching environment of online learning, specifically in

the university setting. The strategy to increase technology in university setting across the UAE has

consequently driven to an increasing accessibility for students to online courses in a range of subjects. The

maintaining a competitive edge. Many of the university level courses offered to students are in an online

attributes of effective learners while each student is unique in their approach to online learning. It is observed

that perceptions of students toward the advantages and disadvantages of the e-learning in university

education. The findings have emphasized the aspects of the e-learning courses that potential online learners

should take into account when realizing their individual preference. Based on these findings, it is essential for

potential e-learners to understand the differences between an e-learning classroom setting and a conventional

classroom setting as there are both advantages and disadvantages of e-learning to both environments that can

probably influence their overall performance as a student (Rashid et al., 2016).

These findings have been supported through previous studies where a wide range of learning styles is one of

the advantages of e-learning to students (Rusu and Tudose, 2018; Raspopovic, Cvetanovic and Jankulovic,

E-learning can be a potential platform in providing a number of delivery methods for different types of

learners, when compared to conventional classrooms. Furthermore, e-learning is an influential tool as it can

provide unique learning styles and improve academic performances of students. Students can actively

participate in e-learning environment where they can increase their thinking ability and learn independently

(Dumford and Miller, 2018). Students can have systematic lessons as it provides content and exercises

portrayed in animations, sounds, and videos.

Among the students, the lack of face-to-face interaction in their studies was the major disadvantage of e-

learning, while collaborative learning among peers is essential for the students as they improve their

knowledge and exchange ideas. Students by nature are social learners who often prefer to learn and interact

virtual environment by the inclusion of different devices which include; mobile phones, personal computers,

and tablets (Salloum & Al-Emran, 2018; Salloum et al. 2019). This virtual learning method help teachers and

students in providing access to course contents in digital form, share knowledge, while making learning more

effective with increased interaction among teachers and learners through online forums, knowledge and

content sharing. These platforms stimulate learning through different features which includes, development of

online courses, evaluation and monitoring of activities for students and teachers (Alghizzawi et al., 2019).