The news that the BBC has been forced to close Jam, its internet e-learning portal, has come with great joy to me, because I strongly believe e-learning is a load of codswallop.

Although I'm now in my twenties, I actually grew up with various e-learning programmes, in particular BBC's Bitesize, which includes educational videos, books and a website.

The website covered and still covers all the major GCSE subjects and is supposed to help you learn. My younger sister is just finishing her A-levels and I've noticed the system hasn't really changed since my school days.

Don't get me wrong; watching an educational TV programme or listening to a tape can be an excellent way to grasp scientific concepts or learn the auditory side of languages, but using a PC to revise for a GCSE is a waste of time – it's nearly all multi-choice questions.

It's difficult for kids who use Bitesize to give it their full attention, because they are probably logged onto MSN, Facebook, Myspace, Bebo and the rest of it. I was seven years ago, kids are even more likely to be now.

Even if a child is disciplined, most revision has to be done with pen and paper because things like symbols and calculus are difficult and slow to input with a qwerty keyboard. What's more, grammar and reading is best done at a clear desk where repetition is the key.

Computers are important for other areas of a child's development though. They bring an understanding of logic, written and graphic design and it's important to learn to use the net effectively. Dare I say it; even computer games increase a child's coordination.

Perhaps e-learning makes a parent's and teacher's life easier. Perhaps it should be renamed lazy learning.