Transition into e-learning 'made easier with simple guidelines'

E-learning is going some way to improving schooling relations between pupils and teachers once a transition between the classroom and online is made, according to one commentator from the US.

Rebecca Wardlow, educator at Ashford University in San Diego, shared her opinion on Sign On San Diego and mentioned that online learning stimulates more student-teacher interaction and creates new efficiencies in an era of severe budget constraints.

Ms Wardlow said: "The initial impression may be that an online class won't be as rigorous as one in a traditional classroom. Actually, online learning can be more rigorous. There is no credit for attendance. Students only get credit for the quality of the work submitted - no hiding in the back of the classroom."

Although high school students are usually 'tech savvy', they can often face initial difficulty in the transition between classroom lessons and online learning.

Results of a US nationwide survey, Speak Up, show that the number of students using e-learning facilities doubled in 2010.

UK figures show that instructor-led training represents the largest sector of the market and e-learning teaching showed the highest growth over the review period between 2005 and 2009.

Ms Wardlow stated that students turning to alternative learning settings such as the virtual classroom should quickly learn how to self-discipline themselves and set educational targets of when to complete the tasks by.

In a review of thousands of students, she said that she has found some of the best ways to tackle certain problems. She offered tips on best learning practices such as making sure that all materials are read thoroughly, finding out the easiest way to submit the work and being diligent in editing and proofreading.

Building a strong relationship with the e-learning tutor is one of the most important factors to online education success, according to Ms Wardlow.

A survey by Ambient Insight Research has showed that the worldwide market for e-learning products was $32.1 billion (£20.5 billion) in 2010 and is expected to rise to $49.9 billion by 2015.