E-Learning in pakistan
(M Haseeb Vohra, karachi)
For the last decade,all over
the world attempts to use technology in higher in education and Pakistan have
been very haphazard as system have been designed only to automatic existing
processes. Computer have not established much more.
Today technology is giving and creating a revolutionary change in every
department of life and creating a new educational platform and it is giving a
new way to student to learn. Learning through information technology is evolving
a new era of education all over the world.
Open and distance e-learning is one of the most rapidly growing fields of
education, and its potentials impact on all education delivery system has been
greatly accentuated through the development of internet based information
technologies. For the students distance e-learning means increased access, it
may also mean a more learner-centered approach, enrichment, higher quality and
new ways of interaction.
In this regard, Virtual university of Pakistan is generating new patterns of
teaching and learning through information technology. Though Allama Iqbal Open
University is also contributing a lot in giving distance learning but e-learning
or learning through information technology lead to innovation in mainstream
education and may even have effects beyond the realm of education itself in
Pakistan. E-learning plays a significant role in the creation of the global
knowledge based society.
It is providing a world class education at the door steps at a very low cost. It
is widely assumed that students in e-learning should pay a higher proportion of
the costs than conventional students but virtual university of Pakistan has set
a good example against this assumption by providing very low cost and quality
education regardless of boundaries.
For the student, e-learning means more freedom to access a wider range of
opportunities for learning and qualification. The barriers may be overcome by E-
distance learning as it includes not only geographical distance, but also other
confining circumstances, such as personal constraints, cultural and social
barriers and lack of educational infrastructure. For students it is often a
cheaper alternative to pursuing a course through conventional methods. Many
people cannot continue their studies due to jobs E-distance education is an
opportunity for those people to maintain their jobs and improve study.
Communication between teacher and student is an important component in distance
e-learning. Communication between students and teachers consist of e-mails,
videos, discussion forums, CDs and broadcasting through TV channels as Virtual
Television channels. For employees it offers high quality and usually
professional development in the work place. It allows upgrading of skills,
increased productivity and development of a new learning culture. Web-based
distance learning is a growing field with rapid changes.
Now in this modern age, it is clear that distance E-learning will be important
for standard education and training systems and most E educational institutions
of Pakistan in future.