== E-Learning and Economics ==
The Internet has provided the ability to change national and individual identity and has generated a borderless world that creates cultures, traditions and education.
E-Learning supports education and the sharing of resources between economies which has meant that developing and developed economies can be part of a world market with free learning. (Carey and Blatnik 2005, 3)
Knowledge is the driver of today’s economy and e-Learning may mean survival for many organisations. E-Learning allows organisations to adapt to rapidly changing environments and maintain a competitive advantage in the business world. It increases the speed and dissemination of knowledge providing opportunities in the form of personalised learning and new collaborative learning opportunities. (Straub and Cardinali 2005, 35) E-Learning is also the most efficient and cost effective way of educating the workplace, as it means that companies are saving on the travel, accommodation and food expenses that are spent on former means of education.
Using e-Learning in the workplace has meant that economic development and a skilled workforce are closely linked, as e-learning is providing employees with skills to succeed in the ever-changing digital economy.
The economic conditions of today are forcing many organisations to downsize which is resulting in employees being required to take on additional duties. (Schrader 2003, 226) E-Learning is a fast and effective way of imparting new knowledge to employees.
A major downside of using e-Learning to further economic development is that the availability of the Internet and associated resources is limited in some areas of the world. (Anonymous 2001, 1) The infrastructure necessary to operate e-Learning environments is complex and expensive and while in the long run companies may save by using e-Learning, initial costs may be unattainable for some.
E-Learning has also changed the nature of education economics, which is based on three main areas – service provision, content and infrastructure. A surge of online learning has resulted in new areas of spending as well as a decrease in spending in some existing areas of education. (Downes 2005, 6)
Overall, the cost to educate per student will decrease as a result of e-Learning and the opportunities it provides, however the overall market for online education will increase. (Downes 2005, 6) This will see more specialised education become more widely available in the public sector, and an extension in the range of education provided in the corporate sector. (Downes 2005, 6)
The education sector moves from a product to a service focus with the increased use of e-learning, as learning itself moves towards a task of self-management. It is here, in the support and service of self-managed education (as a result of e-learning), that economic opportunities will arise.
=== References ===
Carey, K. and Blatnik, S. 2005. E-Learning and Economic Development. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 6 (1): 25-32. (accessed October 3, 2005, from ProQuest database).
Downes, S. 2005. The Economy of E-Learning. www.downes.ca/cgi-bin/website/view.cgi?dbs=Article&key-1121044894 (accessed August 2, 2005)
Grimm, E. 2002. E-Learning is Crucial to Compete Economically. The Colorado Springs Business Journal, 14 (38): 1-2. (accessed October 12, 2005, from ProQuest database).
Schrader, L. 2003. Downsized Economy Pushes up Value of E-Learning. Machine Design, 75 (4): 226-229. (accessed October 12, 2005 from EBSCOHost database).
Straub, R. and Cardinali, F. 2005. The Key to Competitive Advantage. E.Learning Age, 1 (2): 35. (accessed October 12, 2005 from ProQuest database).
=== Contributors ===
Stephanie Dodgson 09:49, 27 Oct 2005 (EST)
