The online learning trend is rapidly increasing around the world. Every year number of colleges and universities are offering online degree programs for the students and the trend is supposed to increase with the passage of time. However there are several questions related with the credibility of the interaction and communication on a face to face basis.

Present day is a time for the development and implementation of new technology and the expansion of education. All the online learning programs offer technology-based instructions can provide top quality education through various kinds of formats and modals. It is especially convenient for the adult learners, who want to increase their education while working for their families and themselves too. The greatest advantage is of online learning is that it gives flexibility of time and situation. You do not need to sit in any classroom to attend the lectures and to reach up there, while facing so many hassles on your way. At the present time many of the institutions have accepted the reality that the education could be reached up to a higher level by the availability of different courses and degrees without the barrier of geographical boundaries or the time and travel limitations.

It is really very important for any online education program to be successful, it is highly essential that the curriculum the facilitator, the technology and the students must be carefully considered and balanced in order to take full advantage of the strengths of this style of education and to avoid the difficulties caused due to some of the drawbacks of the method.

The main facility of the asynchronous online learning is that it gives a freedom to students to participate in high quality learning situations based on distant learning. Students are able to participate in classes from anywhere in the world, if they have a computer and Internet connection. The online format is highly suitable for students, who are physically challenged students. They have the chance to participate in a virtual classroom right from their homes. As the Virtual Classroom is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Time efficiency is another strength brought by the online learning format.

The online format gives a closer interaction level for instructor and the student and the participant is able to concentrate on the comments of the fellow members in a more detailed manner. There is an additional advantage dure to the non visibility of the participants and it is helpful for people of different physical appearances, color, races and dresses to discuss and participate in the course with full confidence. The discrimination factors are far less than the physical classroom.

The online format has certainly some of the major drawbacks too. The factor of having a computer and internet connection is not very feasible for the developing countries, where the economic conditions do not allow such things especially in the small towns and villages.

It is equally important for the students and facilitators to possess a minimum level of computer knowledge in order to function successfully in an online environment. They may be able to browse on the internet and use the basic computer tools and to correspond through emails.

The technology errors are also major contributors in the hindrances of the online education. Even the most sophisticated technology is not 100% reliable. If any problem arises in the computer or the internet connection, then the student would be cut off from the lecture.

There is a difference in the direct teaching method and the online method. If any instructor is not fully trained to hold over the queries coming from different direction and the timely reply would be delayed, then the format is not fully effective. It is equally important to understand that some subjects can not be taught in the virtual class rooms, especially the ones requiring a lot of practice and experimentation like public speaking, surgery, dentistry, and sports where physical movement and practice contribute to the achievement of the learning objectives.