CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The topics presented on this chapter focus on the following: Development of
Online Education, Related Literatures, Effectiveness of Online Education, Learners’
Guide, Advantages of Online Education, Improvement of School Systems, Advance
Learning, Hypothesis, Data Issue, and Concerns of Online Education.

Development of Online Education

More and more, adult learners are finding the convenience and flexibility of online
learning a match for their learning goals and busy lifestyles. Online degree programs,
courses, and virtual universities targeting adult learners have proliferated in the past
decade. Although students can easily locate an online course or degree program that's
both convenient and accessible, they may face significant challenges in developing a
new set of skills for this type of instruction.
Educators have speculated on the development of student skills necessary to
succeed in online learning, but relatively few publications cover the topic from the
perspective of successful online students. I developed the study summarized here to
provide this perspective and to identify useful strategies that instructors can promote in
their online courses.

RELATED LITERATURE
Online education us very useful in retrieving vital information of the students. Not
having it may lead to difficulty for both faculty and students due to its huge advantages
in learning process. As stated by Ace Adrian (2011), these software systems enable
educational institutions to supervise learner-related activities such as keeping records of
tests or examination conducted, attendance, and performances including details of
scores or grades and all other school activities. In short, they provide an advantage that
gives the faculties and the students a complete record of learning. The designed online
education with diverse application potentials ranging from simple management of
learners’ records at school classes to management of all learning related functions as
well as administrative functions of a university or a chain of educational establishments
(Tech & Learning).
Technology innovation had influenced man's work from data processing,
business transaction, research, planning, monitoring and even in medical operation on
human anatomy are now entrusted to computer technology. Web applications are
popular due to ubiquity of its application. A significant advantage of building web
applications to support a standard browser feature is the ability to perform as specified,
regardless of the operating system installed on a given client (Bacala & Reano, 2009).
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It was also stated that an online based education system has feature that meet
most of academic institutions system’s needs and requirements. This includes formalize
modules for students learning management and other modules that are deemed
necessary to operate a school most likely the registrations, enrolment, grades, and
schedules for the whole academic year. Thus, it serves a tool to support information
management with regards to the student data.
This is a great option for those who already have time commitments with family
and work. Online classes will mold with your schedule—and allow you to log into your
online course at a time that works best for you, as opposed to having to attend a lecture
at a specific time.
Most online courses will follow a weekly format where students are expected to log in,
read course materials, contribute to online class discussions and complete assignments
prior to the beginning of the next week. You’ll still have plenty to do for each class—but
you’ll have more options for fitting this work in around other commitments.

According to Coys (2013) deputy head teacher of Heartsease Primary School in

Norwich said that, their school prioritizes basic skills such as literacy, numeracy,
science, and ICT, but also emphasize the value of creativity by offering a relevant and
exciting curriculum. The development is mapped throughout their school life using
online learner monitoring system. Pupil asset prior to implementing the award-winning
system, Heartsease Primary School utilized and Excel based system to monitor its
learners’ development. As time passed, the excel documents became unwieldy and
difficult to ascertain information from, leading the school to adopt a healthier, results
oriented.

Furthermore, he explained that in early stages, teachers tried out so many

different systems, but most just did not meet their needs. Leaner asset was assessed
and seemed to be the best fit for their school as they could monitor the development of
learners, regarless of any future curriculum changes or addition requirements.

He also added that learners’ asset enables teachers and other school staff to
instantly view the whole picture of a child and their education journey. In the early years
classes, they took advantage of the system’s ability to upload and attach evidence of
learners’ arts, stories, homeworks and so forth. This is less important for the older
learners where they tend to focus on their strengths, areas of improvement, behaviors,
and overall attainment.

One by one every university quickly began to take advantage of these new
resources by offering distance learning courses, using computer networking for
information and resource sharing, and more. The progress and development in the field
of internet has helped online education to gain the success which it has achieved today.
Slowly and slowly online education is at a place where it is giving a tough competition to
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the traditional schools, and has forced some of the professors to look for some other
occupation. This gradual growth in online education was mostly visible in developed
nation like United States. Other developing nations were still untouched from this
change.

In the past, working adults weren’t able to advance their careers because of time
restraints, working overtime, business travel, and caring for families. Online education
takes away those time restraints by offering a completely virtual learning experience.
Working adults can now continue their education, earn higher degrees, and earn more
money by attending courses that primarily take place over the Internet. It is a big hit
among the working women’s as well who wants to pursue higher education but cannot
do it because of the dependent family. For some the actual reason of going to online
school is because the physical school might be far or out of reach depending on the
physical location. Keeping all the need aside, online education is also helping a lot in
keeping the environment clean as lot of Gas is saved as students need not to travel to
their school and also helping the traffic flow. At the end, everyone is very well aware of
the fluctuating economy. When economy goes down most of the working people tends
to increase their educational level so that once the economy is back to higher they can
utilize their knowledge and can get benefit out of it. The best option at this hard hitting
time is to go for some online courses which can be finished quickly and student can
earn some sort of certification as well (Smitha Gosh, 2012).

Methodology
The study began with the development of a set of questions that emerged from a
group of online course designers, faculty, and administrators I consulted for ideas. The
question set was reviewed and edited by a larger group of faculty and administrators,
and an online survey instrument was developed.
Participants for this study were selected from a list of graduates who had earned
their degrees by taking 80 percent or more of their courses exclusively online. Students
achieving a 3.50 cumulative grade point average or better were invited to participate in
the study. Of the 93 students invited to participate, 59 did so. Survey answers were
open-ended, allowing respondents to describe online learning techniques they found
useful and to tell the stories of their experiences as online students.

ISSUES AND CONCERNS OF ONLINE EDUCATION

1. Adaptive Struggle
Switching from traditional classroom and face to face instructor training to
computer-based training in a virtual classroom makes the learning experience entirely
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different for students. Their resistance to change doesn’t allow them to adapt to the
online learning environment, whereas it takes time for them to get accustomed to
Course Management Systems (CMS) and the methods of computer-based education.
While passive listening and notes taking are expected in a traditional classroom, online
discussions or creating a web page demand springing into action.
Students with a “traditional” mindset find it difficult to adapt; however, they need to
accept the new learning circumstances with an open mind and heart. Understanding the
benefits of eLearning and even discussing them with their peers may change this
mindset and better prepare students for online classes.

2. Technical Issues
Many students are not provided with the high bandwidth or the strong internet
connection that online courses require, and thus fail to catch up with their virtual
classmates: Their weak monitors make it hard to follow the Course Management
System and their learning experience becomes problematic. Moreover, most of them
live off campus and find it difficult to keep in tune with the technical requirements of the
chosen course. Some of them don’t even own computers and seek help in Learning
Resource Centers for technical assistance.
The only solution to this problem is knowing exactly what kind of technological
support they will need for a certain course before enrolling in it, as well as properly
equipping themselves for the course’s successful completion.

3. Computer Literacy
Although students are generally tech savvy, and thus able to manage computers
well, lack of computer literacy is a major issue among students today. Many of them
cannot operate basic programs such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint and therefore
are not able to handle their files. Furthermore, many students find fixing basic computer
problems troublesome, as they have no knowledge in this area. However, technological
proficiency is a must for following online courses, as it enables students to manage their
assignments and courseware in an organized manner without struggling.
Basic courses in computer literacy enhance students’ knowledge in the field;
having a fundamental knowledge of computer hardware would help them participate in
online classes without interruptions and hindrances.
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4. Time Management
Time management is a difficult task for eLearners, as online courses require a lot
of time and intensive work. Furthermore, whereas it is mostly adults who prefer web-
based learning programs for their place and time flexibility, they rarely have the time to
take the courses due to their various everyday commitments. A regular schedule
planner would be a significant help to these learners, as they could even set reminders
for their courses and assignments.

5. Self-Motivation
Self-motivation is an eLearning essential requirement; however, many online
learners lack it, much to their surprise. After enrolling in distance learning courses,
many learners fall behind and nurture the idea of giving up, as difficulties in handling a
technological medium also seem insurmountable.
Students need to find the motivation to follow the new educational trends and
also properly equip themselves for future challenges in their education and careers.
Only a positive attitude will help them overcome the challenges in eLearning; though
this is hard to practice, students need to understand that it is necessary in order to reap
the eLearning’s benefits in the future.