E-learning is today considered a trend widely-employed in both education and training. However, it is undeniable that there are differing views and perspectives on what is e-learning about and how effective it actually is ? some people are convinced that it will work while some believe that it will only work provided that certain factors are in place. Those who feel the impracticality of e-learning and that it will not work may be seeing it as an automatic solution to the current problems in education and training, when the concept should instead be seen as a provider in making available an additional opportunity for learners ? where it could either serve as an additional channel or vehicle for the student to obtain their education or training from.

In addition, e-learning is also about supplementing, enhancing, or replacing face-to-face teaching and learning sessions. It could, in this regard, be regarded as a channel for more effective learning opportunities, should the student, be able to comprehend better on the material contents delivered via the Internet as compared to face-to-face tutorial.

One significant situation in which e-learning could work better than the conventional face-to-face approach, is when learners are dispersed in various locations away from the classroom. With e-learning, learners can thus access the Internet and download the contents, or the institution can otherwise email the learner the necessary information materials; hence shortening the distance and bridges the time duration materials normally take to arrive if posted via snail mail or courier.

In addition, e-learning also holds an upper hand in providing additional means of communication with tutors or with course mates in between face-to-face sessions. The asynchronous nature of e-communication makes it more effective than any other means as it enables learners to keep in touch with one another much more efficiently as compared through the mode of telephone.

However, the most important factor for the success of e-learning ? although the above has listed several learning problems that e-learning would be able to resolve ? lies in humanware; which, in other words – the people. Email will be of no use if lecturers are not logging into the Internet to check their mailbox. The Just-in-Time delivery of materials, which e-learning is associated with for the massive support in catering to the immediate needs of learners, will not be possible if someone does not ensure that the materials are uploaded from time to time or does not send them by email.

In short, what is crucial here is the attitude of everyone involved in providing the e-learning ?solution? within the entire education and training system. The relevant parties who do not want to change their communication habits or the way they provide service will result in the failure of e-learning. Therefore, e-learning is regarded as a means to an end and not a panacea as it is the people who are the driving force behind its success and not the technology.

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