E-learning or online learning is a trend that is becoming increasingly relevant, due to the many advantages it offers to both companies and individuals.
In a context that has enhanced the role of technology in our lives, the importance of online education has become clear.
E-learning arrived as an alternative to traditional education systems that have historically been characterized by inequities based on gender, race, geographic location, income, and culture.
In Mexico, several factors combine to make this educational modality an ideal alternative for various sectors of the population. First and foremost, it's important to emphasize that acquiring knowledge is a lifelong process; learning, in any of its forms, continues throughout life regardless of an individual's formal educational attainment.
However, according to the SEP (Mexican Ministry of Education), of every 100 children who entered primary school in 2002, only 47 completed their upper secondary education (high school), with a dropout rate of 14.5% in the 2017-2018 school year, almost the same as that recorded over the last 10 years. Factors such as poverty, lack of interest, and poor academic performance stand out as the main reasons for dropping out.
It is understandable that a lack of economic opportunities is a decisive factor when weighing education against helping the family generate income. Furthermore, the lack of dedication and training among those supervising children's development in the classroom can lead students to feel disconnected from education and doubt their ability to understand.
With this data from the traditional educational model, it makes sense to think that thousands of people find in online training an option to learn something new, allowing them to redirect their professional growth through a learning process that adapts to their own time and resources.
This aspect is especially beneficial for companies that wish to provide training options for their staff, since E-learning offers a vast range of topics and content at basic, intermediate and advanced levels.
The e-learning industry relies on educational materials, videos, and remote sessions, which is why companies the size of IBM have registered considerable benefits: the year it switched to the online learning model to train its workers, it reported savings of $200 million.
Thus, regardless of a person's educational level, this modality allows them to continue growing and meet the challenges of today's job market; all that's needed is an internet connection. The possibilities offered by online training explain why it's a growing trend worldwide, even beyond the pandemic we've experienced, which has also underscored the importance of continuing to acquire knowledge remotely.
Whether for businesses or individuals, online training can serve as a way to democratize education and foster self-directed learning. Furthermore, there is a wide range of specialized platforms with instructors and content ideally suited to meet every learning need.
The desire to learn and improve the quality of our knowledge is within our reach; we can be better and have greater benefits.