Effectiveness of Online and Virtual Learning in Engineering Education
Abhishek Chauhan1, Gaurav Saini1*, Preeti Thakur2
1UIET, Panjab University Swami Sarvanand Giri Regional Centre, Hoshiarpur, India.
2Ph. D. Department of Education, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: gaurav_saini@pu.ac.in
ABSTRACT:
With the outbreak of Corona pandemic throughout the world in the year 2020, the importance of online and virtual learning and teaching has increased manifold in connecting students to the teachers at all levels of education i.e. school and colleges. In the era of science and Technology and with the increasing usability of Internet online and virtual learning has become possible in a country like India with a huge population. But can traditionally teaching methods be wholly replaced by online and virtual means of teaching learning is a matter of concern in professional courses like engineering education. Over the past few years lots of research is going on to find the effectiveness of online and virtual learning in various courses. This paper is an attempt to give an overview of process of online and virtual learning in engineering education, its resources, their advantages and disadvantages in engineering education.
KEYWORDS: Online, Virtual, Learning, Engineering Education, Traditional teaching.
1. INTRODUCTION:
Engineering is a professional course where student should not only have the knowledge of the content but should be equipped with professional skills like problem solving, leadership skills, self directed learning and soft skills so that they can meet the future employment demands and earn a suitable job. Moreover sharing experiences of the experts with the students in a given field can act as a source of motivation for students and Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) has made this possible because one can connect with each other in any part of the world with its use. Before corona pandemic, there was very less use of online and virtual learning in different fields of education especially in engineering education. Online and virtual learning were only considered as special tool for better understanding and visualization of certain concepts of engineering which cannot be explained in offline teaching. But during COVID 19, when offline teaching was not possible to maintain social distancing in schools, colleges etc., online and virtual learning became only source for teaching and getting required information. Increase demand and dependency on online learning leads to development of different platforms and applications of virtual learning. Different softwares and simulation labs were developed for teaching and learning for engineering education. Initially, it was quite effective as virtual set up required very less infrastructure and cost to deal and contact large number of students and one can learn from any place and at any time using online and virtual tools. But with time and due to continuous lockdowns, it is found that no doubt online and virtual learning is an alternative for direct teaching but it is less effective as compared to traditional teaching methods due to lack of interaction of faculty with students, problem of internet network in rural and hilly areas, problem of effective feedback and evaluation in online mode, lack of concentration and effectiveness during online learning, practical work not effective in online learning for traditional engineering courses like mechanical, civil etc. Therefore, online and virtual learning in engineering education can act as one of the source for learning but to make it more effective, there should be mix use of both online and offline teaching for better understanding of engineering concepts.
OBJECTIVES:
In the present study, an attempt has been made to critically review the studies to explore the effectiveness of online and virtual learning in engineering education. This study and review is an attempt to understand the concept of online and virtual learning, sources available for online and virtual learning, advantages and disadvantages of online and virtual learning with reference to engineering education and process of learning and virtual learning.
CONCEPT OF ONLINE LEARNING:
Online learning in engineering education means delivery of education through digital platforms so that there is flexibility in accessing lectures, resources and assessment keeping in view constraints of time and place. In online learning, knowledge is acquired through internet enabled platforms like learning management systems (LMS), video lectures, digital resources etc. In engineering education, online learning supports the theoretical concepts through recorded lectures, e-books, discussion forums etc. which helps student to learn at his own place while staying connected with instructors and peers virtually.
Concept of virtual learning:
According to Callaghan et. al, (2009), “Virtual learning environment sustain teaching and learning in an educational context, contributing to the functionality to deal with the presentation, supervision and evaluation of coursework”. It goes a step further as compare to online learning and it creates an interactive and technology driven environment by using simulation, 3 D models and virtual labs. It can replicate real world experiences using collaborative tools. In virtual learning, student can perform experiment and visualize complex engineering phenomena. It bridges gap between theoretical and practical application which is important in engineering education. It also helps in development of critical thinking, collaboration and some hands on practice which is required in engineering education.
Sources of Online and Virtual Learning:
Internet is the basic requirement of online and virtual learning. With the high demand of smart phones throughout India both in urban as well as rural areas India has seen alarming use of online and virtual learning in crucial time of Corona pandemic. Various softwares which helps in virtual and online learning are You tube, Google Classroom, Zoom, Meet, Cisco Webex, Microsoft team etc. Government of India has also started many platforms for online and digital learning like SWAYAM, NPTE etc. and many initiatives like Skill India, Digital India, MOOCs, National Digital Library and many more for learning process during COVID pandemic when school and colleges could not be opened to maintain social distancing.
Advantages and disadvantages of online and virtual learning:
Online learning has many advantages over classroom teaching:
a. Large number of students can be accommodated at same time.
b. Low infrastructure requirement which make it more cost effective over long run.
c. It results in continuous learning.
d. Learning can take place from anywhere and anytime.
e. Learning can be done simultaneously with other responsibilities.
f. Self directed and self paced learning skills development in a learner.
There are some limitations of Online and Virtual learning also:
A. Lack of individual interaction of instructor with the students.
B. Students sometimes become lethargic during online class due to lack of interaction and other distractions. It results in lack of concentration among students during study.
C. There is serious problem of internet connectivity and proper network in hilly and rural areas.
D. Some students are not able to buy computer infrastructure required for online class due to financial constraints.
E. Student evaluation, examinations and feedback is not proper and not as effective as there in offline classes.
F. Online softwares and content of learning requires regular updation which is sometimes not feasible.
G. In online learning, study in groups and peer interaction is not feasible which is necessary for personality development.
H. Lack of practical experience is serious issue in online and virtual classrooms.
All the above issues can be addressed by virtual learning sources but still some time will be required to build necessary infrastructure for online and virtual learning in our country to be for effective method of learning as well as to do evaluation of students in online learning process in impartial manner.
Process of Online and Virtual Learning:
The process of online and virtual learning involves content delivery, learner engagement through multimedia platforms, assessment and feedback for continuous improvement, virtual experimentation and problem-solving activities. In engineering education, this process can be very effective as it can be integrated with theoretical concepts. It can lead to self-paced learning and enhancement of problem-solving skills. The process of online and virtual learning requires robust digital infrastructure and active learner participation to be effective and for maximum impact.
Review on online learning and virtual learning in engineering education:
Koskela et al, (2005) examined the appropriateness of virtual learning environments (VLEs) by comparing with traditional lecture method in the course of occupational Engineering course and found that students studied in VLEs have better performance than lecture students and concluded that VLE can add extra value to subject.
Hung, et. al, (2010) in their study found that there is no significance of gender in terms of statistical data for dimensions like self-directed learning, motivation, computer/Internet self-efficacy, learner control, and online communication self-efficacy, but higher grade i.e. junior and senior students have significant impact on self-directed learning, online communication self-efficacy, motivation for learning, and learner control as compared to lower grade students.
Martínez Cartas (2012) in their study while teaching chemical engineering subject used e-learning and concept maps and found increase in participation of the students improved the result of student assessment.
Ma et. al, (2017) found in their study that online learning does not justify its advantages and learners neglect the process of online learning.
Lumgair (2017) in his research on 468 students had concluded that a large number of students found that professional skills were better achieved through online courses in engineering.
Goeser, et. al, (2018) in their experimental study compared the performance and the learning experience of engineering students and found little difference in students irrespective of virtual or physical setting.
Wang et. al, (2019) in his study found no significant difference in learning outcome while teaching engineering drawing through in-class and online learning and further concluded that previous learning experience directly impact the learning outcome for both in-class and online learning modes.
Srivastava et. al, (2019) in their experimental study on Computer Science students of the Master course taught through traditional learning and National Program on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) concluded that students taught through online learning have better understanding and knowledge with significant improvement for the content taught through NPTEL video lectures over traditional classroom teaching.
CONCLUSION:
In the light of the various studies, it can be concluded that though online and virtual learning is an effective method of teaching and learning which not only helps in better understanding of the content and enhancement of the skills in engineering education but it cannot be wholly replaced by the classroom without a teacher. Online learning should be teacher assisted where teacher must keep a check on learning outcomes of the students. Although video lectures and live demonstration can lead to better retention in students but a classroom without a teacher will just be like a road without an end as online learning provides a huge amount of theoretical content but how much to learn can only be restricted by a teacher. Teacher assisted online learning can do wonders in engineering education if a teacher is able to design teaching modules using innovative methods of teaching like problem-based learning, problem solving which will motivate the students for self directed learning leading to better retention. Though virtual learning has been able to overcome some of the disadvantages of online learning like face-to-face interactions but still there are some limitations. In engineering there is an urgent need to create virtual laboratories for the students so that students can effectively learn practical skills along with gaining the knowledge of the content in situations like Corona Pandemic when students cannot be brought to the college premises. Although one cannot rely wholly on online and virtual learning as effective learning will depend on the interest of the students as well as efficiency of the teacher in handling the classroom but still innovation in science and technology has made the whole world a small space and has helped us in connecting with one another and more importantly engaging the students to learn themselves. In engineering education, there is need of mix use of online and offline teaching. This blended process can be very effective as it will integrate conceptual understanding with practical exposure. Students can revisit difficult topics by sitting at home in case of need, perform experiments in risk-free environments which can lead to improved problem-solving abilities and adaptability which are required for modern engineers.
REFERENCES:
1. Lumgair, B. Exploration of the Effectiveness of Online Learning for Engineering Professional Skills Development (Master's thesis, Graduate Studies). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. 2017. doi:10.11575/PRISM/26076
2. Wang, Y., Ma, J., Kremer, G. E., and Jackson, K. L. An investigation of effectiveness differences between in-class and online learning: an engineering drawing case study. International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing (IJIDeM). 2019; 13(1): 89-98. DOI: https://doi.org/ 10.1007/ s12008-018-0510-8
3. M.K. Srivastava, R. Kumar and A. Khare. An Innovative Statistical Approach to Measure the Effectiveness of Online Learning. (March 11, 2019). Proceedings of 2nd International Conference on Advanced Computing and Software Engineering (ICACSE) 2019. Available atSSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3350267 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3350267
4. Ma, H., Yao, J., and Liu, L. Research on the Correlation between Learning Effectiveness and Online Learning Behavior Based on Online Education Scene. Creative Education. 2017; 8(13): 2187. doi:10.4236/ce.2017.813149.
5. Callaghan, M. J., McCusker, K., Lopez Losada, J., Harkin, J. G., and Wilson, S. Engineering education island: Teaching engineering in virtual worlds. Innovation in Teaching and Learning in Information and Computer Sciences. 2009; 8(3): 2-18. https://doi.org/10.11120/ital.2009.08030002
6. Koskela, M., Kiltti, P., Vilpola, I., and Tervonen, J. Suitability of a Virtual Learning Environment for Higher Education. Electronic Journal of e-Learning. 2005; 3(1): 23-32. Retrieved from ERIC database EJ1099351.
7. Perry, S., and Bulatov, I. The Influence of New Tools in Virtual Learning Environments on the Teaching and Learning Process in Chemical Engineering. Chemical Engineering Transactions. 2010; 21. DOI: 10.3303/CET1021176
8. Hung, M. L., Chou, C., Chen, C. H., and Own, Z. Y. Learner readiness for online learning: Scale development and student perceptions. Computers and Education. 2010; 55(3): 1080-1090.
9. Goeser, P. T., Hamza-Lup, F. G., Johnson, W. M., and Scharfer, D. VIEW: A virtual interactive web-based learning environment for engineering. arXiv preprint arXiv. 2018: 1811.07463.
10. Martínez Cartas, M. L. Using an improved virtual learning environment for engineering students. European Journal of Engineering Education. 2012; 37(3): 229-241.
|
Received on 15.04.2025 Revised on 12.05.2025 Accepted on 22.05.2025 Published on 24.06.2025 Available online from June 30, 2025 Research J. Engineering and Tech. 2025; 16(2):69-72. DOI: 10.52711/2321-581X.2025.00006 ©A and V Publications All right reserved
|
|
|
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Creative Commons License. |
|