Advantages Of eLearning For Developing Countries
Due to the pandemic, this decade has seen lots of change from the end of 2019 to the end of 2020. There are still traces of it. One of the biggest changes we observe is an increase in online services, including online food ordering, booking appointments, etc. The most surprising change is in the education sector, where eLearning apps are the most trending. Millions of students prefer online methods for effective learning, and this is due to massive progress in eLearning app development.
Not only urban students but students from remote areas also benefit from the eLearning apps. These apps are helping them to connect with global teachers where they can ask questions and get notes from highly skilled teachers in a live session. In addition to students, universities, colleges, schools, and educational institutes are also leveraging this trend to help them to deliver the right content to the right audience.
In terms of growth, the whole world is divided into three sections; one is for developed nations, another one is for developing nations, and the third section belongs to the under-developing countries. Most of the under-developing countries are facing turmoil that may be due to political powers or power of arms & ammunition. So, there may be an absence of education.
On the other hand, developed nations already incorporate the latest ways of education. This article is about that how developing nations are leveraging eLearning platforms. These are the fastest growing countries that are adopting new age methods.
Before taking you to the other sections of this blog, I would like to show you some stats that will help you to understand things more clearly.
Stats That You Need To Look At
●The worldwide eLearning market is projected to reach 240 billion by 2022, and by 2025 it will be $325 billion.
● The retention rate of eLearning is increased from 25% to 60%.
● Millions of students prefer MOOCs (online courses). Its market worth will be $25.33 billion by 2025.
● In 2021, 220 million students were enrolled, and 950 universities participated in the course delivery, where the number of offered courses is 19,400.
●Coursera is one of the top-notch eLearning websites that offer more than 6000 online learning courses, and the number of learners enrolled was 97 million in 2021.
●The most preferred device is a laptop, as recorded in various surveys. On the other hand, mobile learning is estimated to reach $80.01 worldwide by 2027.
● Among various eLearning options, there is another segment that is corporate eLearning for working professionals. It is expected to grow by $39 billion between 2020 and 2024.
The stats are based on various surveys and authentic sites such as Statista.com. We can’t deny that, in these statistics, there is an equal contribution from developing countries. Countries like India are rapidly investing in the infrastructure for learning and development. This includes the investment in classroom teaching, online teaching, establishing a strong network, and more. The objective is to connect remote area students with potential teaching aids and skillful teachers for a seamless learning experience. The online eLearning market in India is expected to reach 360 billion Indian rupees in 2024.
The Education System And eLearning
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a pioneer organization established by a joint effort from worldwide countries and governments. Since 1945, this organization has been continuously working for nations lagging in education and learning growth. They research various aspects related to it. In one of its reports, they published that most developing countries offer few educational programs to their population, so the best idea to cover the gap is — distance education or eLearning.
So, let’s check how it can work with the existing education system.
1. Primary And Secondary Education Systems
The primary and secondary education systems are for school-aged children; it covers the age group of 5-16 years. So, here eLearning platform development can help a lot. It will connect students with the teachers who find it tough to find a school at a nearby location or live in a remote area, or if there is a shortage of teachers. Although, now, governments are trying to impart education via innovative methods like broadcasting educational programs via television. But if there is a robust network facility, then children can learn from smartphones. The best part is that most developing nations are interested in it.
2. Alternative Education And Learning
Education and learning are limitless. Anyone can learn from anywhere with the help of their smartphone device. But still, some people in some corners of the world are lagging. Suppose there are students located at some dispersed location who have learned basic education but want to learn some additional things. eLearning platforms or distance education can help them in a great way. There are several benefits of eLearning in developing countries, and they are really leveraging it.
3. Higher Education
An eLearning platform is also suitable for higher education. There is a difference between the education systems of developed and developing nations. The eLearning apps can fill this gap. A uniquely built online learning platform can work as a fertile ground for youngsters hailing from developing nations, as they can learn what they want.
4. Teacher Training
Teachers are one of the strongest pillars of any type of education system. But still, there may be some differences between teachers from advanced nations and nations that are in the phase of transformation. For teacher training, an eLearning platform is the best aid where one teacher can connect to others for knowledge sharing.
Some Top Examples of eLearning Programs In Developing Nations
Before mentioning the advantages of eLearning platforms here, I would like to mention some of the best examples of eLearning programs executed by the governments of developing nations.
1. Africa
Except for certain countries, the African continent is on the top and progressing, leveraging eLearning trends. Countries like Senegal and Zambia have shown up to 30% progress in implementing eLearning technology; another best example is Somalia. The African Virtual University has set up 29 distance learning centers where they are imparting education via the eLearning medium.
2. India
It is one of the largest democracies in the world, and very soon, it will become one of the world leaders in the education sector. The online education market share in India is expected to grow by $2.28 billion. The government is spending millions of rupees on building a robust educational infrastructure, including eLearning platforms. The best example is Swayam. It is the name of an online portal where Indian students can enroll and learn different courses independently.
3. Latin America
Although some parts of Latin America have not had a good history due to the illegal drug trade, there is the day after the night. Some Latin American nations have proved it in a very effective way. Countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico are at the top in adopting eLearning. These nations are leveraging the trends such as school-as-a-service and content-as-a-service.
4. The Middle East
Regarding the adoption of eLearning platforms and technology, Middle Eastern countries like Oman, Turkey, Kuwait, and Qatar are the best example. In these countries, not only governments but also private organizations are participating. In the Middle East, eLearning revenue has reached $443 million and is expected to grow 8.2% annually.
The Advantages Of eLearning Platforms
eLearning platforms are advantageous in many ways, not only for education but also for effective learning. The process has begun in many developing countries, especially in Asian Countries, African Nations, and countries like India and Bangladesh. Here are some benefits of the adoption of eLearning platforms:
Cost Effectiveness
For imparting education, not only teaching talent is required but also the infrastructure. Suppose you need a place, furniture, and other facilities to set up offline classes. Compared to offline teaching, eLearning is easier. There is only a need for a device and a good internet connection.
Ample Chances of Learning
Whatever you want to learn, you can learn from the eLearning platform. Individuals can enroll in the courses they’re interested in and connect to the trainers live. Due to the evolution in technology, it is easy to share notes and get hands-on training.
Grow Community
The eLearning platform provides the best chance to grow the community of learners. When they can manage their forums to discuss the idea, it not only grows trust but also increases confidence in learners.
Easy Access To The Information
Students can easily access any information by accessing an eLearning platform. They can even share it with their fellow students. Nowadays, most eLearning websites or apps allow users to download notes in PDF format.
Instant Delivery of Content
There is no need to wait for anything; an educator can instantly deliver the content in the form of a lecture. The rest of the things will depend on the network connection. The best part is that networks are improving daily, and now developing nations are looking forward to having a 5G network.
Final Thoughts
eLearning platforms are rapidly progressing with the help of technology. Every day, we can experience at least one eLearning platform with unique features. Education is one of the main pillars of any country, and converting the status of any country from developing to developed can play a crucial role. Here eLearning can play a crucial role for a developing nation. Most countries are in line with the growth, and some are still struggling. They need to inspire themselves from countries like India, Brazil, Argentina, Qatar, Turkey, Kuwait, and others.
Further Reading
