Traditional e-Learning vs. Immersive Learning: A Perception Study among Maritime Students

Abstract

e-Learning and immersive learning (i-Learning) are learning methods that focus on the use of technology in the field of education. e-Learning is a traditional learning that supports computer-based teaching while immersive learning is a new strategy that generates an inclusive and interactive learning environment in a virtual reality scene bringing students and trainees to a more experiential-learning workplace. The Philippines is struggling in the field of education because of the decreasing norms of education in the country’s education scheme. This research assessed the gap between traditional e-Learning and i-Learning through a questionnaire provided to the second-year maritime students of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) under deck and engine departments. The data showed that there is a difference between e-Learning and i-Learning but it seems to be not statistically significant. The respondents had perceived that both e-Learning and i-Learning are most advantageous at time-efficiency and least advantageous at cost-effectivity and i-Learning seems to be more interactive and realistic than e-Learning. The results had also shown that the greatest disadvantage of e-Learning is that the method seems to be boring and noninteractive; however, both methods seem to be perceived as expensive. The Connectivism Theory emphasizes that learning is most effective when the learner is willing to learn. It was concluded that either method is supplemental to acquire knowledge and can be used to help create a fair and quality system.