Introduction:
In recent years online learning has been on the rise mainly because they are convenient, cost-effective, and accessible and it offers variance as compared to traditional learning. Moreover due to the current Covid Pandemic that forces the shut down of universities and schools worldwide made people switch to online learning. Everything that we know of classroom learning has changed into the technology-driven method of teaching. From using a projector to smart screens and everything in between technology has changed. And also online learning provides the environment that we anticipate from classroom learning and processes along with the experiences. Online learning has been appreciated by people over time, besides being cost-effective and easily accessible, it also provides high-quality education from all parts of the world. All learning platforms do provide certain advantages and benefits and online learning is one of them too.
Things to keep in mind
Online learning is also utilised by companies to guide their employees and professionals looking to upskill and those who want to advance their career to enter different industries. It helps many professionals who couldn’t continue with their education or upskilling as they could not fit around their work schedule have started to opt for online courses. It offers convenience and versatility in timings and pace, enabling them to learn in their own time. Online learning also allows for better interactions between students and the teachers as many teachers have different teaching methods. They can focus on individual students more than they did at traditional teaching. As online learning is based on live streaming, they have a certain number of students that can enrol in a class which ensures that each student gets adequate time from their teacher. Online learning is also done on pre-recorded videos and tests series in which an unlimited number of students can enrol themselves. Many popular courses now allow thousands of student to enrol simultaneously as there is no need for them to attend physically.
As the students are allowed to learn at their own pace instead of memorizing textbooks, online learning encourages them to gain hands-on experience and offers a better learning process. Students can attend classes from places they’re comfortable being in without having to travel which makes them more likely to attend with a positive attitude. The lack of pressure from attending classes physically leaves students with more energy to attend online classes. The retention rates are also higher in online education than that of classroom education. This is likely due to the decrease of stresses and pressures otherwise present in traditional teaching. Students can find their course materials available for a long time in case they want to refresh their memories or want to start again. Online education does lack face to face communication and creates social isolation. It requires strong self-motivation and time management skills of the individual. Lack of communication skills are also developed in online learning and prevention of cheating during an online assessment is complex.
Conclusion :
Online learning might be the future of education as they are convenient and many more advantages given by it rather than joining physically. It is what the world needs right now for the basic education needed and to reduce the transmission of the virus among people and to maintain social guidelines given by the government. Yes, it does have certain disadvantages to the certain sections of the basic young learners but it is unavoidable in the present scenario.