Virtual Learning – A Popular Learning Method Among Students.

Abstract

A virtual learning environment (VLE) or e-learning is a popular method of learning at present. But VLE depends on student acceptance of such kind of programs; if they prefer e-learning or classroom learning. Though VLE could save time, cost, space and motivate students to learn in a new dilemma, VLE poses several drawbacks in addition to those experienced by traditional methods of learning. These include difficulties in adapting to this system of learning, lack of computer literacy, lack of student motivation as well as technical issues. This trend is prominent, especially in developing countries where students are still in the process of adapting to a web and mobile app-based culture of learning. Also, students in developing countries often face problems of low speed Internet as well as lack of Internet access. Therefore, this research focuses on how switching from a traditional culture to an Internet-based culture could be achieved and how distance learning could be promoted in the distant world thus minimizing the digital divide. This research focused on solving these issues under four main themes: providing foundation on how websites and mobile apps could be used, providing streaming and caching facilities for slow Internet connections, creating surveys among students from different demographic, ethnic and geographic backgrounds and designing courses appropriately and ensuring multilingual course availability. According to the research, it was found that these solutions could be achieved in the near future with the advancement of the Internet and new technologies in developing countries. As such, it was inferred that virtual learning could be promoted as a learning method among students in developing countries.