Introduction
The adoption of the e-learning model of education has been on the increase across different countries in the world especially in developing countries 1. In the context of this article, e-learning involves taking courses entirely online on learning management systems hosted by schools and private course providers. Even though both terms are sometimes used interchangeably, online learning connotes a learning process that is mostly carried out online, although there might be physical interaction between the student and teacher2. E-learning has in fact, become an indisputable force in the education sector through its application in continuous learning and furnishing young people with life transforming learning experiences. Notably, the rapid advancement of technology has further aided the uptake and utilization of this model, and has particularly been beneficial to the youth. It has further stretched the boundaries of education beyond the four walls of the classroom, such that one can take lessons anywhere in the world. Suffice to say, that it can cater to the educational needs of a large number of individuals at the same or different times. This article aims to show the areas and occasions where e-learning has proven to be lucrative as well as recommendations on how its potential can be further augmented.
The Perks of E-learning
Schools and other online education providers have continued to harness this mode of teaching as it is said to be quite favourable to young people. In 2021, the African e-learning market was valued at US$
2.47 Billion and is expected to reach US$ 4.71 Billion by 2027 3. In the same report, South Africa,
Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Kenya emerged as the countries where e-learning had begun to gain good coverage. This shows quite a boom in the market which may be attributed to its advantages over the traditional classroom learning method.
Today, there are various reasons why young people may likely show more interest in embracing this model of learning;
• Global Pandemic: COVID19 has drastically changed the way young people can learn and attend to their educational needs. All over the world, during the early phases of the COVID 19 pandemic, schools were shut down and students were advised to stay indoors for their safety. According to the World Bank, the COVID-19 pandemic distressed the educational system in over 150 countries which in turn, affected 1.6 billion students 4.Even worse, the education of more than 70 percent of young people who were studying or combined study with work were adversely affected 5. While the COVID 19 pandemic is no doubt a global disaster, it increased the alternative use of other educational platforms for accelerated learning and engagement. In essence, taking these courses online was truly a welcomed initiative as it helped to reduce the level of redundancy among the youth. It was also an opportunity seized by some individuals to upskill themselves despite the happenings around them6.
• Career Advancement: Acquiring certificates and degrees are some of the fastest ways of qualifying for a promotion at the workplace. Most times, this is usually accompanied by a raise in salary. In fast-paced environments, more young people are beginning to leverage the benefits of undertaking courses on e-learning platforms. For one, these courses are flexible and self-paced such that the student can enrol in a program while still maintaining a job at the same time. Also, the courses are most times cheaper when compared to the regular traditional method of learning in the classroom.
• Geographical Flexibility: In 2019, it was discovered that European countries accounted for 42
percent of the total African students studying abroad 7. This shows that many young people looking to increase their knowledge are relocating abroad to achieve their dreams. However, many top universities and colleges in the world offer online courses and degrees. This provides an excellent opportunity for students to engage because of the immense benefit of learning and acquiring knowledge from experts in diverse fields. Most importantly, learning can happen in any part of the world and young people do not have to relocate to attend these schools. This helps them save unwarranted costs and also promotes better emotional wellbeing as they do not have to leave their home, friends and family to attend schools in a different region.
Conclusion
A hundred years ago, no one could have imagined how revolutionizing, the concept of digital education would become in the future. Today, it is hard to imagine an educational system without the e-learning model where young people get to maximize their opportunities to increase their knowledge. Hence, it is important to continue to improve upon this model of education in light of the futuristic benefits. The following recommendations will be useful for improving the current eLearning infrastructure:
• Government should provide financial support to these online learning platforms to subsidize the cost of the courses or better still, provide free online course materials to the youth. This will greatly increase the willingness of more young people to participate and acquire impactful knowledge. This is particularly important, especially in Africa where in 2016, an estimate of 263 million children and youth were not in school 8. Research also showed that in 2020, over 4.7 million young persons between the ages of 15 – 35 years in North East Nigeria, have never attended school or received any formal education 9. This data helps to spotlight the deeper issue of poverty which the Government may need to address so that the affected youth can then be able to access ICT tools and data to partake in the e-learning model of education.
• Schools without learning management systems are also encouraged to partner with organizations to host their courses on the e-learning websites. This will facilitate learning as
Digital Education: A Stride in the Education System By Evi Etemire students can have access to these materials at any given time. It also allows for a wider reach
such that young people in different locations can enrol and learn.
• Online course providers can also improve the impact of curriculum delivery by incorporating and translating their courses in different languages. In doing so, this will increase the number as well as diversity of young people who enrol for these courses. In the same vein, they have a more seamless experience during the program as they get to fully understand what they are being taught without any hitches.
1. e-learning Industry. Utilizing e-learning in developing countries: e-learning Breakthroughs in 2015.Retrieved on 15th June 2022 from website https://elearningindustry.com/utilizing-elearning-in-developing-countries elearning-breakthroughs-2015
2 Cipcourses. Digital Learning, E-learning, Online Learning: What is the Difference? Retrieved on 15th June 2022 from website https://www.cipcourses.com/digital-learning-elearning-online-learning
3Imarc. Africa E-learning Market: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027. Retrieved on 15th June 2022 from website https://www.imarcgroup.com/africa-e-learning-market 4 The World Bank. Remote Learning During COVID 19: Lessons from Today, Principles for Tomorrow. Retrieved on 15th June 2022 from website https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/edutech/brief/how-countries-are-using edtech-to-support-remote-learning-during-the-covid-19-pandemic
5International Labour Organization. COVID-19 disrupts education of more than 70 per cent of youth. Retrieved on 15th June 2022 from website https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the
ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_753060/lang–en/index.htm
6 CNBC. Online learning boomed during the pandemic- but what happens when students return to the classrooms? Retrieved on 15th June 2022 from website https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/26/online-learning boomed-during-the-pandemic-but-soon-students-return-to-school.html
7Statista (2021). Distribution of African students studying abroad as of 2019 by continent. Retrieved on 15th June 2022 from website https://www.statista.com/statistics/1272053/distribution-of-african-students studying-abroad-by-continent/
8 UNESCO (2016). 263 Million Children and Youth are out of School. Retrieved on 15th June 2022 from website http://uis.unesco.org/en/news/263-million-children-and-youth-are-out-school
9Statista (2022). Young population who has never been to school in Nigeria 2020, by zone. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1268332/young-population-who-has-never-been-to-school-in-nigeria/
