Is ELearning Really Impersonal?

Getting your degree via eLearning is an exciting and worthwhile way of advancing your career and life opportunities. That’s what most people who have already experienced the advantages of an eLearning system would say. However, the topic of distance learning in comparison with traditional learning still remains problematic; there are many disputes, caused by opposite views on the subject. Along with typical quality issue, there is another problem that matters for many of students.

It is about making friends when studying online. Most of those taking online courses have an experience of traditional educational process. Even if they have never started doing a degree, at least they went to school. And it meant going somewhere, attending classes in person and… spending time with peers - the last but not least. Needless to say, social bonds that we maintain during the years of education are of great importance. They are essential for stimulation of the educational process, say, even via competition. Socializing entertains and gives our minds the necessary rest. We are also used to the support of our peers and feel more comfortable being part of the group.

At first glance, eLearning deprives you of all these benefits. You can’t just strike up a conversation in the hall and end up in a bar after classes. Yes, you get the advantage of watching your lecture at any time of the day, half naked, munching your sandwich or picking your nose. But what about this team-feeling that you seem to sacrifice? Well, solution comes in a form of advanced eLearning software which allows you to maintain communication on the desired level during the process of your online education.

Advanced eLearning system combines many features into one sophisticated eLearning tool. So along with quiz pools, tutorials etc., you get great collaborative features: web-conference tool (including whiteboard), chat (including webcam), threaded discussions, session recording and so on. All these tools are easy to use even if you are not an IT-professional and allow staying connected with everyone you want to socialize with. You will be amazed at how close can bonds get between eLearning peers! At the end of the day they are same people as you, with similar problems and circumstances. Also, because virtual classes are normally smaller than traditional ones, you get to know people even better. Most online learners admit getting used to this kind of communication via eLearning system very quickly. In fact they forget about technical aspects of it, concentrating on the core issues instead.

So if you are concerned about the social aspect of eLearning there’s nothing to worry about. You still get to know new people, you still have someone to discuss your learning problems with, you still got someone to encourage you when you’re feeling tired. Earning a degree online is a big challenge and it requires not only your personal determination, but also support of your family and friends. So, feeling yourself a part of an eLearning community is a great help on your way to success. You also meet people of different cultures and backgrounds and it just broadens your experience. Surely, nobody would mind such “side effects” of distance learning.