Global Journal of Human Social Science, E: Economics, Volume 22 Issue 4

Impact of E-Learning on Indian Students during Pandemic: A Conceptual Approach P. Divakar Abstract - For the enhancement of distant education and learning through web, the practice of e-learning has initiated in late 1990s. Because of the significant growth of information and technology, the adoption of e-learning became famous globally in late 2000s. By the mid of 2010s utilization of electronic devices (computers, laptops, mobile phones and tablets) which supports internet connectivity were prominently used by Indian educational institutions to facilitate e-learning process to educate the students through online platforms. In the later part of 2010, Indian organizations in collaboration with foreign companies, developed their own “web-based” software and application in order to persuade the practice of e-learning for the students. With reference to traditional learning, e-learning was adopted in a few numbers. Since the outbreak of pandemic issue (Covid-19), lockdown and pandemic protocols leads to closure of schools and colleges across the country. As a result, educating the students through online (e-learning) served as the full time replacement for traditional learning. Although educating students through e- learning made an appropriate replacement for traditional learning, students across many parts of India subjected to confront certain issues as well as merits while learning through online. On consideration with perception of students, the article is aimed at investigating the positive and negative attributes of e-learning among Indian students based on the existing literary works. Keywords: students’ perception, e-learning, covid-19, digital platforms, learning attitude. I. I ntroduction ince the mid of mid of 2000s, most of the schools and Universities in India made more emphasize on providing online education to students, in order to make them to be more aware of their subject. In the modern time, digital media plays a significant role in influencing the students to be very active in learning new things and communicating with each other, specifically regards to sharing educational contents. Rapid innovation in the area of information and technology have ensured numerous educational institutions to practice online education system for students. On the other hand, most of the students from schools and universities started utilizing digital platforms such as social media, e-learning websites, and web-based applications for education in their daily life. With the outbreak of coronavirus, schools and colleges were supposed to close completely for 21 days during March 2020. The government of India took the decision of closure of educational institutions with the concern of providing safety life to students. Soon after the closure of schools and colleges, the nation experienced a socio- economic problems in all the states of India. To enhance the students with effective learning, most of educational heads started conducting online classes for students. As a result the practice of e-learning through online session was implemented across the nation. It encouraged the students and teachers to accept the possibility of gaining sustained education through e- learning courses. Suraksha Subedhi et al (2020), stated that “E-learning tools are playing a crucial role during this pandemic but in developing countries in Asia, technological, education or literacy background and socio-economic challenges exist. These challenges might act as a hindrance to the e-learning process”. Based on the convenience of students and teachers, online courses were conducted in some of the reliable online tools such as Zoom, MS Teams, Google- meet, Whatsapp and other digital platform. The sessions were carried out by Power point presentation, PDF and word document. Raj Kishor Bisht, Sanjay Jasola and Ila Pant Bisht (2020) stated that “online sessions were scheduled according to time table using learning management systems like Moodle, Google classroom or directly shared on WhatsApp on day-to-day basis. This transition to online mode of teaching and learning not only keeps academic environment running but engaged students in learning, thus keeping them away from any adverse mental and physical effects of lockdown”. The authors also summarized that using similar e-learning tools, students were supposed to do assignment submission by the means of e-materials and examinations in virtual mode. Even though the e- learning went in a successful way, some of the students from rural area faced certain issues like poor internet facilities, unavailability of resources and students’ inefficiency to follow the instructions of tutor. Based on these facts, the conceptual study is about unveil the advantages and limitations of e-learning courses from the students’ point of view. II. B ackground of the S tudy a) The Rise of Online Education System The traditional education system has to face serious threats with the advancements in digital technology. In recent years, the practice of “face-to- face” classroom system of education has shifted towards the online system of education. With respect to S © 2022 Global Journals Volume XXII Issue IV Version I 59 ( ) Global Journal of Human Social Science - Year 2022 E Author: Research Scholar, VIT Business School, Vellore Institute of Technology Chennai, India. e-mail: divaips@gmail.com