Learning Online: A Challenge For Developing Countries

Over recent years, the world has experienced a lot of changes in the domain of communication and educational techniques. Thanks to the internet, users across the world tend to benefit from services distance has always put a barrier to.

Learning online and earning degrees is a relatively new educational technique that highlights a major innovation in the world of communication.

E learning is a relatively easier and convenient way of learning and many professionals resort to it. Imagine sitting at home and working at your pace amid your tight job schedule.
Also, imagine living in a country several kilometers away and learning in a prestigious university in Europe or America without going through the huddles of living in a complex and expensive society.

Most internet users in poor and developing countries are finding it easier to study thanks to the tons of material they can exploit freely online.

These are just a few examples of how learning online is beneficial to people across the globe.

However, over this new technological race is a virtual barrier that sets apart those who do not have access to basic tools and knowledge to take advantage of them.
It is against this issue that the following questions can be asked: 1) Have developing countries across the world acquired sufficient skills and equipments to fully benefit from resources online? 2) What is the perception people have in such societies about certificates obtained online? 3) What challenges have to be overcome before developing societies could fully benefit from elearning? The questions above will be handled under the following subheadings: a) Equipments and skills needed to facilitate online learning.
A computer and an internet connection are prerequisites for learning online, yet most people in developing societies do not have access to them.

For some who do, another limiting factor is the lack of skills to fully exploit them.
Most often, internet connections in a majority of countries around Africa for example are slow and can't enable users to view heavy videos and eBooks which unfortunately are characteristic of most online study packages. b) Perception of online certificates Learning in a virtual world often leads to qualifications that people generally consider as also virtual.
In societies where there is little understanding of how much can be studied online, people tend to privilege certificates acquired in the manner they understand best.
Therefore in a job market with limited opportunities it is harder to find a place with an online degree in most developing countries.

c) Challenges and the way forward Learning online warrants some computer skills and technical level for users. Since both factors are not very advanced in these societies, it will always remain a challenge for people to fully take advantage of the tons of material on the internet. However, most governments across the world e.
g.
in East and Central Africa have embarked on investing on their internet communication means. The rapid advancement in technology in the West is also enabling people to easily give up some of their old equipments (Computers and accessories) to second hand markets that are relatively affordable for most low income earners in developing societies.

Learning online, in spite of the challenges in adopting it remains the way forward for most developing societies. Being relatively cheap and convenient, it is no doubt the solution most countries had long hoped for.

However, the output on the field for those who studied in this manner is for now the only litmus test benefactors can offer to convince employers in developing societies.