1.0 Introduction

1.1 Definition of Online Learning

Online learning is a kind of powerful tools into the form of education and training that lets people to obtain knowledge and assistances through network technologies (Clarke 2008). Online learning usually boils down to learning that maintained by Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Based on the survey in figure (A), 29 respondents identified about online learning that it is a type of learning where people can develop their education through the Internet (Personal Survey 2011).

Figure (A) Do you know anything about online learning?

1.2 History of Online Learning

During the year of 1800s, learning was transported through the electronic mails. However, in the year of 1990s, most of the learning was transported through CD-ROM, radio, Internet and television (Proctor et.al (ed) 2004). People start to learn through the Internet which is also called as online learning as the technology is improving.

2.0 Categories of Online Learning

2.1 Synchronous Learning

Synchronous learning is a kind of learning that people online can interactwith one another through the videoconferencing and also through the window messenger for chatting (Types of Online Learning n.d). Students not only can have their discussion with their friends or instructors, but also can have their coursework or assignments throughout their studies on the Internet. Students may become more active and motivated in their studies on socialising through the videoconferencing and chatting while they are having discussion (Types of Online Learning n.d).

2.2 Asynchronous Learning

Students do not need their instructors to be available beside them at the same time because they can send the messages to their respective instructors through the electronic mails if they have any problems or they need help from their instructors (Clarke 2008). Students may become more convenient when they enable to log on to their learning environment at anywhere for their studies (Types of Online Learning n.d).

2.3 Blended Learning

Blended learning is a kind of learning with combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning. Students can complete their coursework or assignments by themselves with the way of blended learning and this will make their thinking skills and experiences increase. Besides that, they can take some useful information from the Internet to do their coursework or assignments instead of attending classes in campuses (Types of Online Learning n.d).

3.0 Online Learning is an effective tool in learning Figure (B) Online Learning is an effective tool in learning

(Personal Survey 2011)

3.1 Useful and comfortable

Online learning is an effective tool in learning which online paths are useful and comfortable. Based on the survey in figure (A), 75% of the respondents approved that online learning is useful (Personal Survey 2011). Students can spend their lecture times to study where they are available on their own timetables. People enable to learn at a comfortable place by their own decision by selecting some venues where they would like to study through online at their houses, cyber cafes and coffee shops such as Old Town White Coffee where they enable to access through the Internet (The Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Learning n.d).

3.2 Meet new and interesting people

Online paths help to meet interesting and new people is one of the effective tools in learning. Based on the survey in figure (B), 5% of the respondents approved that online paths help to meet new friends (Personal Survey 2011). Most of the students would feel very shy when they are in their classes or groups to meet up with their new friends. This is the reason that the online paths give an opportunity to everyone gets to know each another through their personal Facebook and Twitter. This is a method of interaction between one another to improve their friendships in their classes or groups (The Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Learning n.d).

3.3 Learn to become discipline people

Online paths clarify to be self-disciplined is also one of the effective tools in learning. Based on the survey in figure (B), 8% of the respondents agreed that online courses teach to be self-discipline (Personal Survey 2011). A large numbers of people like to finish their works in the eleventh hours. It is the worst method to learn. So, people who are online can take their responsibility for their studies into a personally learning and they will become successful people in the future (The Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Learning n.d).

3.4 Encourage long-term learning

Online learning is an effective tool which encourages long-term learning. Based on the survey in figure (B), 12% of the respondents agreed that online courses promote life-long learning (Personal Survey 2011). Most of the students will slowly forget what they have learnt in their campuses or schools within few days. To help them to solve this problem, students enable to online at any time to search for their information so that they will not forget what they have learnt in their campuses or schools (The Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Learning n.d).

4.0 Online Learning is not an effective tool in learning Figure (C) Online Learning is not an effective tool in learning

(Personal Survey 2011)

4.1 Need additional period on-campus lessons

Online paths need additional period on-campus lessons is one of the not effective tools in learning. According to the survey in figure (C), 10% of the respondents approved that online paths need additional period on-campus lessons (Personal Survey 2011). Students will always spend more time studying or searching information for their coursework or assignments through the Internet than studying in their campuses or schools (The Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Learning n.d).

4.2 Lead to lack of interaction

One of the not effective tools in learning is online paths lead to lack of interaction. According to the survey in figure (C), 90% of the respondents approved that online courses lead to lack of interactions (Personal Survey 2011). Although students only study through the Internet, they will miss all the fun of learning activities in their classes. This causes they have fewer opportunities to mix around with their friends and their mentors because they usually stay at home to access the Internet and will make their lives too boring (The Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Learning n.d).

4.0 Conclusion Figure (D) Is Online Learning an effective tool in learning?

(Personal Survey 2011)

In conclusion, online learning truly is an effective tool in learning because it carries benefits to people who wish to learn more things from the Internet. According to the survey in figure (D), 77.8% of the respondents approved that online learning is an effective tool in learning (Personal Survey 2011). This will increase their knowledge and experiences through the way of the online learning. Online learning brings a lot of advantages to people such as meets up with new friends, encourages long-term learning, learns to become self-disciplined person and also is very useful. Therefore, online learning is an effective tool in learning in this society as the benefits of online learning outweigh the harms.

Reference List

Internet Articles

The Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Learning n.d., viewed February 23, 2011,

Types of Online Learning n.d., viewed February 23, 2011,

Journal Articles

White, MMA 2007, History of E-Learning – A Brief History of E-Learning and Distance Education, viewed February 23, 2011,

Book

Clarke, A 2008, E-Learning Skills, 2 edn, Palgrave Macmillan, New York

Personal Survey

Personal Survey 2011