world population), 4313 million in 2018 (55.6 8% of the
world population), and 4422 million (57.3% of the world
population).
2.4 Evolution of Learning Paradigms
Teaching and learning have been carried out through the
traditional face-to-face (F2F), time and place-restricted
mode, and it was considered the backbone of the educational system. The technology-assisted teaching and learning
model has migrated from a traditional model to a distance
model. The system of education is in the exploration phase
of this new learning system and is transforming from the
traditional model to d-learning, e-learning, and m-learning
models.
2.4.1 Distance Learning (D-Learning)
The concept of distance learning is not new and was started
around a century ago as correspondence courses in Europe
(Lowell, Harris, Lowell, & Editors, 2018; Valentine, 2002).
This method of correspondence converted into another form
when educational television and radio achieved popularity.
Distance learning is an education process in which the
learners and the educators are separated by time or location,
or both. Education is provided to remote locations asynchronously or synchronously using audiotapes, videotapes,
CD-ROM, online, or video conferencing (Nagy, 2016).
Greenberg (1998) describes the process of education, free
from the need of traveling that makes the use of the Internet
to connect the students and to interact with them. Valentine
(2002) defines that distance learning “is the separation
between the students and instructor by place, but not
essentially by the time”. Through the 1970s and 1980s,
telecourses remained popular as part of the distance learning
movement. Television was introduced with the distance
learning movement. One of the reasons for the adoption of
this mode of instruction is the increased pressure and competition on institutions to generate revenue, control costs,
and meet industry requirements (Valentine, 2002). Despite
the problems reported with the quality of equipment and
teaching, the literature is well documented by the increased
demands of distance education (Ferguson & Wijekumar,
2000). The information technology and internet communication opened the doors for electronic modes of reaching the
students and eventually shifting to e-learning teaching.
Many universities are offering their courses via e-learning or
online learning.
2.4.2 Electronic Learning (E-Learning)
The information revolution, also known as electronic revolution (e-revolution), has impacted at individual, social, economic, business, and government levels. The introduction of
an e-environment, such as e-learning, e-commerce, e-mail,
e-banking, and e-government, brought new opportunities and
challenges for individuals, societies, businesses, educational
institutions, and governments (Nagy, 2016). e-learning is a
learning using media and digital electronic tools (Pinkwart,
Hoppe, Milrad, & Perez, 2003). Rosenberg (2001) defines
e-learning as a type of education that depends on network and
Internet technology. The demand for e-learning-based courses
is increasing in universities (Murshitha & Wickramarachchi,
2016). An e-revolution made it possible for educational sectors to accommodate distance learners (Collis & Moonen,
2002) and the concept of online education received rapid
popularity (Matheos, Daniel & McCalla, 2005). There are
now various ‘virtual-only’ universities that are offering
e-learning courses. Examples of such universities include the
World Lecture Hall of the University of Texas, the British
Open University, the Globewide Network Academy in Denmark, and the Athena University. Many prestigious universities have joined together and developed non-profit alliances
to create d-learning programs. There are advantages and
disadvantages of e-learning. The advantages of e-learning
include: e-learning is not limited by physical location. It is
quicker because the students may skip the contents they
previously knew. For instance, more than 96% of the courses
are offered as ‘online’ in most colleges and universities
(Sharma et al., 2011). e-learning provides the opportunity for
students to customize their materials according to their
requirements. In this way, the students achieve control over
the learning process and a better understanding that make the
learning process more effective. It is more flexible, self-paced,
and cheaper to deliver. The online material can be updated
quickly and easily because it is done on the server-side. The
students can start training at any time and from anywhere
when they need. It is beneficial for educators to manage large
classes. The communication and interaction between
instructors and students is another advantage of e-learning
through the use of instant messaging, discussion boards, chat
rooms, and email. Cantoni, Cellario, and Porta (2003)
describe the following disadvantages: It may cost more initially to develop the new system. e-learning technology might
be threatening, confusing, or frustrating. The key disadvantage of e-learning is lacking part of the F2F interaction and
informal social interaction. Developing new courses for new
e-learning to achieve new skills also requires money, time,
and training. New technology often causes frustration due to a
2.3 Evolution of Technology in Education
9
world population), and 4422 million (57.3% of the world
population).
2.4 Evolution of Learning Paradigms
Teaching and learning have been carried out through the
traditional face-to-face (F2F), time and place-restricted
mode, and it was considered the backbone of the educational system. The technology-assisted teaching and learning
model has migrated from a traditional model to a distance
model. The system of education is in the exploration phase
of this new learning system and is transforming from the
traditional model to d-learning, e-learning, and m-learning
models.
2.4.1 Distance Learning (D-Learning)
The concept of distance learning is not new and was started
around a century ago as correspondence courses in Europe
(Lowell, Harris, Lowell, & Editors, 2018; Valentine, 2002).
This method of correspondence converted into another form
when educational television and radio achieved popularity.
Distance learning is an education process in which the
learners and the educators are separated by time or location,
or both. Education is provided to remote locations asynchronously or synchronously using audiotapes, videotapes,
CD-ROM, online, or video conferencing (Nagy, 2016).
Greenberg (1998) describes the process of education, free
from the need of traveling that makes the use of the Internet
to connect the students and to interact with them. Valentine
(2002) defines that distance learning “is the separation
between the students and instructor by place, but not
essentially by the time”. Through the 1970s and 1980s,
telecourses remained popular as part of the distance learning
movement. Television was introduced with the distance
learning movement. One of the reasons for the adoption of
this mode of instruction is the increased pressure and competition on institutions to generate revenue, control costs,
and meet industry requirements (Valentine, 2002). Despite
the problems reported with the quality of equipment and
teaching, the literature is well documented by the increased
demands of distance education (Ferguson & Wijekumar,
2000). The information technology and internet communication opened the doors for electronic modes of reaching the
students and eventually shifting to e-learning teaching.
Many universities are offering their courses via e-learning or
online learning.
2.4.2 Electronic Learning (E-Learning)
The information revolution, also known as electronic revolution (e-revolution), has impacted at individual, social, economic, business, and government levels. The introduction of
an e-environment, such as e-learning, e-commerce, e-mail,
e-banking, and e-government, brought new opportunities and
challenges for individuals, societies, businesses, educational
institutions, and governments (Nagy, 2016). e-learning is a
learning using media and digital electronic tools (Pinkwart,
Hoppe, Milrad, & Perez, 2003). Rosenberg (2001) defines
e-learning as a type of education that depends on network and
Internet technology. The demand for e-learning-based courses
is increasing in universities (Murshitha & Wickramarachchi,
2016). An e-revolution made it possible for educational sectors to accommodate distance learners (Collis & Moonen,
2002) and the concept of online education received rapid
popularity (Matheos, Daniel & McCalla, 2005). There are
now various ‘virtual-only’ universities that are offering
e-learning courses. Examples of such universities include the
World Lecture Hall of the University of Texas, the British
Open University, the Globewide Network Academy in Denmark, and the Athena University. Many prestigious universities have joined together and developed non-profit alliances
to create d-learning programs. There are advantages and
disadvantages of e-learning. The advantages of e-learning
include: e-learning is not limited by physical location. It is
quicker because the students may skip the contents they
previously knew. For instance, more than 96% of the courses
are offered as ‘online’ in most colleges and universities
(Sharma et al., 2011). e-learning provides the opportunity for
students to customize their materials according to their
requirements. In this way, the students achieve control over
the learning process and a better understanding that make the
learning process more effective. It is more flexible, self-paced,
and cheaper to deliver. The online material can be updated
quickly and easily because it is done on the server-side. The
students can start training at any time and from anywhere
when they need. It is beneficial for educators to manage large
classes. The communication and interaction between
instructors and students is another advantage of e-learning
through the use of instant messaging, discussion boards, chat
rooms, and email. Cantoni, Cellario, and Porta (2003)
describe the following disadvantages: It may cost more initially to develop the new system. e-learning technology might
be threatening, confusing, or frustrating. The key disadvantage of e-learning is lacking part of the F2F interaction and
informal social interaction. Developing new courses for new
e-learning to achieve new skills also requires money, time,
and training. New technology often causes frustration due to a
2.3 Evolution of Technology in Education
9