Online learning, also known as e-learning or distance education, allows students to

study from home using digital devices and internet-based courses (“e-learning”, n.d.). The

COVID-19 pandemic accelerated its adoption as traditional schooling was disrupted globally,

prompting both students and educators to adapt to digital platforms that remain in use today

due to their convenience. However, the popularity of online learning has polarized opinions.

This essay will explore two advantages—cost-effectiveness and flexibility—and two

disadvantages, including increased screen time and self-discipline challenges, associated with

online education.

One significant advantage of online learning is cost savings. Traditional education often

entails various expenses that can burden students financially. For instance, those attending

physical classes typically face transportation costs, especially when commuting long

distances. Additionally, living away from home can result in substantial housing expenses,

including rent, utilities, and meals. A study indicates that students’ three largest expenses are

housing (RM265.85), food and drink (RM232.70), and miscellaneous essentials (RM77.69)

(Norasibah et al., 2020). Moreover, the structure of tuition fees in traditional education adds

to costs, as institutions charge for services like facility maintenance and extracurricular

activities. This can make physical education significantly more expensive, leading some

students to drop out due to financial constraints (Nasir & Hasnul, 2022). Research highlights

the stark difference in costs between physical and online courses. For instance, the average

cost per credit for physical courses at Malaysian public universities can be RM3,089, while

online courses may only cost RM1,413. In private institutions, the average cost for physical

courses can reach RM5,533 compared to RM2,099 for online learning (Hanson, 2024). This

discrepancy underscores the financial benefits of online education.

Furthermore, online learning provides excellent flexibility to both lecturers and

students. China Press stated that in classrooms, lecturers use one teaching method for a
class of twenty or thirty students, which makes it difficult for most students to follow the

teacher’s instructions and rhythm (Wu, 2021). However, with online classes, lecturers can

record the lessons for the day in real time, and students can review the playback if there is

content that they are having trouble understanding or catching up with. In addition, besides

listening to live classes online on time, students can plan the rest of the learning content or

time according to their progress. The learning progress and direction are personalized, which

is more convenient for students. Apart from that, online platforms such as Microsoft Teams,

Zoom, and Google Classroom provide easy access to lectures, course materials, and

assignments from any location with an internet connection. This accessibility eliminates the

need for travel, making it convenient for students to attend classes and complete assignments

from the comfort of their homes or other preferred settings (Mukhtar et al.,2020). Therefore,

e-learning is more flexible and practical compared to traditional education.

While online learning offers paramount advantages, there are also some disadvantages

including increased screen time. Online learning requires students to spend a lot of time in

front of the screen of electronic gadgets such as computers, smartphones and tablets.

Research shows a significant increase in average daily screen time to over 4 hours per day

across all ages during the pandemic, with those aged 12-18 experiencing the biggest rise

(Choi et al., 2023), who heavily utilized online platforms to continue their education. This

trend raises concerns, as increased reliance on online learning for educational purposes

coincides with longer screen time exposure. According to Wacks and Weinstein (2021),

increased screen time can have detrimental effects on the cognitive functions and mental

health of children, youngsters and adolescents. They may experience reduced language and

literacy abilities, accelerated brain ageing, and increased vulnerability to distraction from

irrelevant environmental stimuli. Moreover, long hours of online learning might cause

students to suffer from headaches, backaches, visual disturbances, sleep disturbances, fatigue
and reduced physical activity, which can contribute to obesity and other health concerns

(Rashid et al., 2021; Syahputri et al., 2020a; Domoff et al., 2019). To sum up, while online

learning has become increasingly important, it's crucial to acknowledge the potential harm of

excessive screen time associated with it.

Several disadvantages arise from the self-discipline required in online learning. The

absence of a structured physical environment makes it challenging for students to manage

their time effectively, often leading to procrastination. According to Huang et al. (2020), as

cited in Rahsmi and Sampreety (n.d.), the rapid shift to attending numerous courses from

home has raised doubts about its effectiveness. The flexible schedules of online learning can

encourage students to postpone tasks due to the lack of immediate deadlines, resulting in

lower-quality work. Additionally, in contrast to physical classrooms, where teachers and

peers provide external motivation and instant feedback, students must depend on their own

determination to remain engaged during online classes. This reliance on self-motivation can

create feelings of isolation, further diminishing motivation. A survey found that 76% of

undergraduates identified a lack of motivation as their primary obstacle in online learning,

with 56% of graduate and professional students sharing similar concerns (Daugherty, 2020).

In short, students need to overcome self-discipline challenges to make the most of online

learning.

To conclude, online learning offers the advantages of reduced costs and greater

accessibility, making education more affordable and flexible. However, it also poses

disadvantages such as increased screen time and the need for strong self-discipline. Students

should address these issues through strategies such as organised schedules, regular breaks,

and dedicated learning spaces. At the same time, educators should balance the pros and cons

of online learning to maximise its potential and ensure positive educational outcomes for all

students.
 (865 words)

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Appendices