Debate on the efficiency of e-learning

University students from across the UAE debated the efficiency of electronic versus conventional learning at a discussion session hosted by Hamdan Bin Mohammad e-University (HBMe-U) in Dubai last week. There was a fair balance of students attending conventional universities and others enrolled in e-universities such as HBMe-U, yet there was apprehension among students from conventional institutions about e-learning. "The characters of students shaped from the experience of conventional education differs from someone who has stayed home to study online, which in the long run affects employability," said Methayl Mohammad from Dubai Women's College. Various views from the University of Dubai and UAE University echoed Methayl's sentiments, while others addressed the positive aspects of e-learning. Article continues below "People have varying circumstances that demand more flexible education options," said Mohammad Al Baroudy, an HBMe-U student. The debates, led by Nadia Kamali, marketing head at HBMe-U, failed to lay out defined parameters for either conventional or electronic learning, but some believed the two concepts to be inseparable. Anna Marie Madison, a visitor to Zayed University from Paris, said her institution advocates an effective blend of tutorial style classroom and e-education. "What is conventional education anyway, and should we change the entire ‘classroom' concept?" she said.