DIGITAL LIBRARY
E-LEARNING AND ITS ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY AT AKAKI TSERETELI STATE UNIVERSITY
1 Akaki Tsereteli State University (GEORGIA)
2 Akaki Tsereteli State University, (GEORGIA)
About this paper:
Appears in: INTED2016 Proceedings
Publication year: 2016
Pages: 3569-3571
ISBN: 978-84-608-5617-7
ISSN: 2340-1079
doi: 10.21125/inted.2016.1858
Conference name: 10th International Technology, Education and Development Conference
Dates: 7-9 March, 2016
Location: Valencia, Spain
Abstract:
Georgia is a developing country located in Caucasus on the eastern coast of the Black Sea. Georgia gained its independence two decades ago. During this period several important political events took place and a number of reforms were carried out. All these factors certainly influenced the socio-economic situation of the population.

In Georgia since October 2, 1995 the only legal form of the national currency is Georgian "Lari" (GEL), which unfortunately still has the status of the non-convertible currency. Devaluation of the Georgian Lari occurs quite often, which has a negative influence on the budget of 4 490.5 million population and despite a wealth of natural resources unemployment remains to be the number one problem. 1,000 respondents were interviewed. 51.9% of them are unemployed. However, getting higher education is the priority for Georgians because of their mentality. Every family tries to give their children the chance to get a higher education, both within and outside the country in order to seek the employment in the future. However, only the rich can afford to obtain education abroad.

Based on the above, the aim of the research is to study the impact of e-learning on the budget of the students and professors at Akaki Tsereteli State University, what is the effectiveness of the implementation of e-learning at the university. To achieve this goal, we have carried out research in the following areas - what is the price of higher education at Akaki Tsereteli State University the average Georgian family has to pay and whether the introduction of e-learning system can save on a student's budget.

In order to achieve this goal both students and lecturers have been interviewed as well as the program managers and administration of those universities where e-learning methods have been implemented.

The study showed that when there is a high level of unemployment and the national currency has devalued, e-learning is the greatest opportunity for Georgian students. E-learning is innovation in Georgia and the interest towards the transition to e-learning is growing. For example, Akaki Tsereteli State University uses the method of e-learning requiring attendance, which was introduced in 2013 . 180 training courses have been registered. A dozen lecturers use them quite actively.

Akaki Tsereteli State University students come from different regions. E-learning gives them the chance to save both time and money. In addition, many professors have the opportunity to make their own scientific works available to the students when the publication of a book requires some additional financial resources.

The study found that the introduction of e-learning methods enabled students of the Akaki Tsereteli state University functioning in the capital as well as in the regions to reduce costs related to the purchase of the course books up to 100 percent and made the learning process more interesting and diverse. Students already have their own "e-library" which is free and stores their works and the ones by other authors.

It is highly recommended that implementing e-learning methods at the Akaki Tsereteli state University actively involve lecturers and teachers in this process. Subsequently, this will help students to get a good education by spending less time and money.
Keywords:
e-learning methods, e-library, Economic Efficiency.