The Pros and Cons of Using an eLearning Platform

Written by CFI Team

Read Time 14 minutes

There was once a time when people only respected in-person education. When the global pandemic forced individuals to instead use an eLearning platform to educate themselves, that way of thinking became one of the past.

Now, virtual education in the form of degrees and certifications earned online is often just as respected and credible as their in-person education counterparts. As a result, the question is no longer, do I need to enroll in an in-person education program for me to achieve my goals?

The question is now, is virtual education through an eLearning platform right for me and my individual needs? To receive an answer to this particular question, you should weigh the pros and cons of using an eLearning platform.

What is an eLearning Platform?

An eLearning platform is an online hub where people can go to educate themselves. Online learning platforms can provide individuals with everything from digital videos and courses to virtual documents, virtual group chats, and online activities to help them receive the education they need.

Because of advancements in technology and the world once being forced to no longer meet in-person due to the pandemic, there has been a rise in people using online learning platforms as their primary form of education. This is especially true since more and more e learning platforms are becoming accredited.

Even the top traditional in-person universities and colleges are incorporating online education into their curriculum. For example, Penn State currently allows people to enroll in 100% online degree and certification programs through its World Campus.

Through Penn State’s World Campus, individuals can earn bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees, along with undergraduate and graduate certificates 100% online. This just goes to prove that electronic learning is the way of the future.

Pros of an eLearning Platform

To determine if receiving an education through an electronic learning platform is the right path for you, you should consider all the benefits of online learning platforms. You should then ask yourself whether or not the benefits of online learning platforms will meet your individual educational needs.

Some of the biggest pros of receiving education through an eLearning platform include the following:

1. Flexibility

One of the biggest pros of receiving education through an online learning platform is the flexibility that doing so offers. This is because receiving education online allows you to study anytime, anywhere, as long as you have a reliable internet connection.

For example, if you are the type of person who focuses better in the evenings, you can allocate time each evening to go through some of your coursework and study. Individuals who sometimes need to study at unconventional times due to having a job or children that they need to tend to during typical school hours can also benefit from the flexibility that electronic learning platforms offer.

The fact that eLearning allows individuals not to have to commute every day or move to a new location to receive an education also adds to the flexible nature of an electronic learning platform. Therefore, if you live a busy life and need an education program that is flexible and can work with your schedule, an eLearning platform might be the way to go.

2. Variety of Courses

Online learning platforms typically offer a wider variety of courses than their in-person counterparts. This is because in-person courses are dependent on school budgets and how many people in the area want to take the course.

Online learning platforms, on the other hand, allow people all around the world to take their courses remotely at an inexpensive price. So, if you are hoping to take a wide variety of courses to fit your unique educational needs, consider receiving education through a web learning platform.

3. Self-Paced Learning

Typically, online learning platform courses allow for self-paced learning. This means that you can go through the coursework of an online learning platform class as fast or slow as you individually need to. For example, if you need to take a year to finish an online learning course that is typically expected to be finished in six months, you can do so through self-paced, online learning platforms.

If you need to take more time and continuously stop and rewatch different sections of a video course while taking notes to get a better understanding of the information, self-paced online learning platforms allow you to do that as well. Self-paced online learning platforms are also ideal for individuals who typically learn faster than their peers and, thus, can get all the information that they need from an online video course when speeding the video up or skipping different sections of the video.

4. Cost-Effectiveness

Because electronic learning platforms don’t have to pay for the overhead costs of being held in a building at an institution, their courses are typically much less expensive than those at in-person educational institutions. This means that receiving education through an electronic learning platform can save you money. By receiving education through an electronic learning platform, you also don’t have to pay for the cost of relocating or commuting to and from school every day.

5. Access to More Learning Resources

Courses on a web learning platform typically link various online resources such as extra video lectures, readings, and online discussion forums to help you better understand the information that you are learning. This is unlike in-person education classes that usually only offer a set amount of resources the school can afford.

6. Convenience

Receiving education through a web learning platform is extremely convenient. This is because electronic learning platform courses are all online over the internet. Therefore, individuals who take part in a course through an eLearning platform don’t even need to leave the comfort of their own homes to do so.

Electronic learning platform courses are especially convenient for individuals who live in remote areas that would require them to commute long distances to receive in-person education at an educational institution.

7. Promotes Active and Independent Listening

Believe it or not, web-based learning promotes active and independent listening. Therefore, receiving an education through a web-based learning platform can help make you a better listener in your day-to-day life.

8. Online Discussion Boards and Chats

As an online learning tool, a web-based learning platform often provides its students with virtual discussion boards and chats that they can take part in. This gives eLearning students the opportunity to communicate with instructors and fellow students while studying remotely. Therefore, an eLearning platform can give you the best of both worlds when it comes to privacy, flexibility, and socialization.

Online Discussion Boards and Chats

9. Accessibility

Whether you are rich or poor, from America or from somewhere else in the world, you can take advantage of a web learning platform. This is because electronic learning platforms are 100% online and accessible to everyone with an internet connection. In fact, many electronic learning platforms allow anyone to enroll in their courses at any given time. This is unlike most in-person educational institutions that have a set deadline y which people must enroll in their course programs.

Also, anyone, regardless of their previous education, can typically enroll in a class through a web-based learning platform. This is unlike most in-person educational institutions that only allow people who meet certain educational requirements to enroll in their course programs. This just goes to show that educational programs through electronic learning platforms are much more accessible than those through in-person educational institutions.

10. Rewatchable Lectures

One benefit of receiving education through a web-based learning platform is that you can rewatch video lectures at any time. This gives you the ability to go back and review information from lectures that you didn’t quite grasp.

11. Content Can Easily Be Updated

Society gains more information on various topics of study each and every day. As a result, coursework on various topics of study often needs to be updated. Luckily, virtual content can easily be updated online. This means that receiving education through an electronic learning platform can ensure that you’re learning the most accurate and up-to-date information.

12. Consistency in Quality

The global pandemic demonstrated to the world that one cannot always rely on in-person education. Luckily, with how advanced technology is, individuals can always still take part in quality online learning as long as they have a strong internet connection. This fact proves that eLearning is a more consistent form of education than traditional classroom learning.

13. Less Impact on the Environment

In a traditional, in-person educational class, people waste large amounts of paper and electricity every day. In an eLearning platform class, though, there is no waste. This is because eLearning students perform all the work they do online. As a result, receiving an education through an eLearning platform is better for the environment.

14. You Can Customize Your Learning Path

Because of how flexible and inexpensive online learning platforms are, they often allow students to create customized programs, or learning paths, for themselves. This means that receiving education through an eLearning platform could give you the opportunity to take the exact courses you need to further your career.

15. Training is Role-Focused

While in-person educational classes tend to be general and academically focused, eLearning platform courses are typically role-focused. This is because industry experts with real-world experience develop electronic learning platform courses.

By receiving training that’s more role-focused, individuals enrolled in electronic learning platform courses are sometimes better prepared to start their careers than people who received training through traditional in-person educational institutions.

Cons of an eLearning Platform

Just as there are pros to receiving an education through an eLearning platform, there are also cons. Before you can decide if receiving education through an eLearning platform is right for you, you must weigh both the pros and cons.

1. Limited Interaction

One con to receiving education through an electronic learning platform is not having any physical interactions with your instructors and fellow students. This is not ideal for anyone who needs regular physical interaction with their teachers and fellow students to academically perform at their best.

2. Technical Issues

When receiving an education through online learning platforms, you are relying on the fact that you have a strong internet connection and little to no technical issues. If for some reason, you do experience technical issues while on a web-based learning platform, it can disrupt your studies and cause you to fall behind in your coursework. Therefore, if you don’t have all the technical resources to consistently complete your work online, an in-person class may be best for you.

3. Limited Support

When taking part in online learning, you don’t have in-the-moment access to your instructors in the same way that you would in in-person classrooms. Therefore, you likely have to online message any questions to your instructors and wait for their replies. If you’re someone who tends to have multiple questions about your studies that you need answered immediately, education through electronic learning platforms may not be for you.

4. Limited Credibility

While most people don’t look down on online learning platforms anymore, there are still some people who do. Therefore, if you’re concerned about whether or not the electronic learning platform that you want to receive education from is credible enough to be respected, it may be best for you to receive your education in-person, at a standard educational institution. If your heart is set on receiving education through an eLearning platform, though, you should research the program that you plan to enroll in to see its accreditation.

5. Poor Online Security

When completing an entire course online, there is always the threat of cybersecurity. Thus, if, for some reason, you do not trust that your internet connection is secure, you might want to consider taking an in-person class rather than an online one.

6. Lack of Student Authenticity

It’s easy for virtual students to turn in other people’s work online and claim it as their own. Thus, if you’re worried about student authenticity in your class, you might be better suited for in-person learning.

7. Requires Self Motivation

Because of the flexible nature of electronic learning platforms, some eLearning students start to become complacent. As a result, many eLearning students don’t complete their coursework. If you’re the type of person who struggles to remain motivated and disciplined if you don’t have the pressure of a teacher physically demanding work from you, consider receiving in-person education instead of an online one.

8. Limited Hands-On Learning

When receiving education in an in-person classroom, you can easily take part in hands-on learning experiences. That’s not necessarily the case when learning online. This is because online students don’t have in-person interactions with their teachers or fellow students. Therefore, if you value hands-on learning experiences, education through an eLearning platform may not be for you.

Common Types of eLearning Platforms

There are various different types of eLearning platforms. Some of the most common types are outlined below:

Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)

A massive open online course, otherwise known as MOOC, is an eLearning platform that delivers educational content to anyone who wants to receive it. MOOCs offer traditional course materials such as filmed lectures, readings, and problem sets. Some MOOCs also offer interactive courses that use forums and social media discussion boards to allow students and instructors to communicate with one another in real time.

MOOCs have no limit on attendance. Therefore, anyone, anytime can receive education through a MOOC. Examples of MOOCs include Coursera and edX.

Self-Paced Courses

Many web learning platform classes don’t give their students deadlines to complete their coursework. Therefore, eLearning students take courses at their own pace. Hence, why eLearning courses and forms of learning are called self-paced. Examples of self-paced electronic learning platforms include Udemy and Skillshare.

Corporate Training Programs

A corporate training program is an eLearning platform that provides working professionals with the knowledge and skills that they need to excel and grow in their careers. Common types of corporate training programs include leadership training, unconscious bias training, compliance training, and diversity, inclusion, and equity training.

Features and Costs of Well-Known eLearning Platforms

There are countless online learning platforms that people can take advantage of. Companies can also use these learning platforms for employee training. The features and costs of these eLearning platforms vary though. Some of the most well-known eLearning platforms and their features and costs include the following:

LinkedIn Learning

Formerly known as Lynda.com, LinkedIn Learning offers over 16,000 professional development courses in 11 languages. LinkedIn Learning also partners with top companies to provide its students with in-demand, professional certifications. The LinkedIn Learning courses come in a video lesson format.

LinkedIn Learning itself comes with a one-month free trial. After the first month, LinkedIn Learning students must then pay for one of two subscription plans. The first subscription plan costs $39.99 a month. The second subscription plan costs $19.99 a month.

Udemy

Udemy has over 60 million students, 65 thousand instructors, and subject matter experts creating courses that are self-paced. Udemy features over 213,000 online video courses along with a range of online learning materials in the form of PDF documents, PowerPoint, and text.

Udemy has no setup costs for instructors. A Udemy app is available for iOS and Android.

Coursera

Coursera is an electronic learning platform that offers high-quality online training worldwide. With over 100 million users, Coursera partners with top universities and colleges to provide its students with the opportunity to receive different educationally renowned certifications.

On top of certifications, Coursera is creating courses and offering specializations along with bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. All Coursera courses and programs support on-demand video lectures, homework exercises, peer-reviewed assignments, and community discussion forums.

With yearly or monthly subscription options to Coursera Plus, students get unlimited access to 90% of the learning programs in the Coursera catalog. Coursera offers one-off payments and free courses and subscriptions depending on the course or program.

Skillshare

Skillshare is a course marketplace for creatives. Skillshare has over 13 million users and up to 35,000 lessons in various creative fields of work. Skillshare lessons are 20 to 60 minutes long and come in the form of a series of small videos, class projects, and student-led discussion forums.

Industry leaders, everyday creatives, and professionals teach Skillshare classes. There are four categories of Skillshare classes. These four types of classes include creative arts, technology, business, and lifestyle.

Skillshare is free for a seven-day trial. After the seven-day free trial is over, Skillshare costs $32.00 a month and $168.00 a year for access to all courses.

EdX

Created by scientists from Harvard University and MIT, EdX.org is an eLearning platform where students can find over 4,000 online courses from 250 universities and businesses. Outside of professional education and certifications, Boot Camps, and Executive Education courses, EdX open courses are free of cost.

Udacity

Udacity is an eLearning platform with over 17 million learners and 700 instructors. This eLearning platform teaches knowledge and skills to people in preparation for a career in the technology industry.

Udacity collaborates with major tech companies such as Google and Microsoft to create courses that help students train in tech. Some Udacity features include top-notch course content quality, non-accredited awards and certificates, a simple and intuitive user interface, 200 free courses, and additional career services.

Overall, Udacity offers both free and paid courses. The paid courses vary in price. Monthly Udacity subscriptions cost $249.00 a month or $2,390.00 annually.

Tips for Optimizing the eLearning Platform Experience

Electronic learning platforms can help you further your career if used properly. To make the most out of your eLearning experience, follow these tips:

Choose the Right Platform

The best way to optimize the eLearning experience is to choose the right learning platform to begin with. For example, if you are looking to take classes that will help you build on your graphic design skills, you should choose to use an electronic learning platform that specializes in building creative skills.

Other factors that you should consider when choosing an eLearning platform include the price and the size of courses. For example, if you want to further your career skills but are on a tight budget, you should choose a web-based learning platform that offers free courses. In addition, if you want to build on your career skills but don’t have much time to do so, choose an eLearning platform that allows for self-paced learning.

To ensure that you are choosing the right eLearning platform for you, make sure to do thorough research on the cost and features of all online learning platforms that offer classes in your field of work. Then choose the platform that best suits your individual needs.

Choose the Right Platform - CFI

Employ Time Management

When learning is self-paced, it’s up to you to make sure that you’re delegating enough time to learn what you need to learn. Therefore, one of the best ways to optimize your eLearning experience is to properly manage your time.

For example, if you’re always busy tending to other responsibilities during the daytime, delegate time each evening to spend on your eLearning coursework. Coming up with a clear schedule for when you can work on your eLearning coursework throughout the week is going to be key to your learning success.

Be Disciplined

Along with time management, you’ll need discipline to optimize your eLearning platform experience. This means sticking to the eLearning coursework schedule that you set for yourself. Without discipline, you’ll likely never finish the eLearning courses that you plan to take.

Establish a Positive Learning Environment

Another way to optimize your experience with eLearning platforms is to establish a positive learning environment. This means finding a place where you can get in the zone and work on coursework. This place can be a room in your home, the public library, a co-working space, or somewhere else.

Further Your Finance Knowledge and Skills with the Help of an eLearning Platform

The best eLearning platform for you is the one that best suits your individual needs, learning styles, and goals. Therefore, if after doing your research and weighing the pros and cons of using an electronic learning platform, you decide that an in-person learning environment will best suit your learning needs and goals, choose to take an in-person class. If you find that you’re more likely to learn from an eLearning platform class, though, make sure to choose one that will help you gain the knowledge and skills that you’ll need to further your career.

To gain more banking and finance knowledge and skills, make use of eLearning Tips from CFI. With CFI’s eLearning tips, you’ll gain on-demand tips and resources that can help take your finance or banking career to the next level.