Learning is a lifelong process and key to success, especially for those students who aspire to excel personally and professionally. Most of us find adding more challenges to our busy and tight schedules difficult. For these students, online learning is the solution. Now the question arises, is online learning effective or not?
While we can learn about virtually any subject, anywhere and anytime, nothing is without flaws. So, we will delve into the importance of online learning as well as the negative aspects of online education (The pros and cons of online learning) to help you decide whether it’s an option for you or not.
Pros of Online Learning
Virtual classrooms are not a second-rated alternative to in-person classes; instead, they offer their own benefits, which are not even found in traditional learning.
1. Accessibility
The first clear benefit of online learning is its accessibility and convenience. Perhaps some students are haunted by the thought of commuting to school or college after a long day. Now with eLearning, learners have the choice to take classes from the comfort of their homes. In addition, you can search for any video lecture and catch up on lessons you might have missed. Learners can also use their time efficiently and attend online courses on the bus or train ride home. They only need a good internet connection and a cell phone or tablet.
2. Flexibility
You must be wondering why online school is better than conventional classrooms. By going online to take classes, you not only save hours by not having to travel to a physical location but also get greater flexibility in choosing the best time to study. For example, you may not find an instructor online to teach you Spanish at 3:00 am, but you can get endless options with recorded lectures online. Hence, online courses help you achieve your personal, professional, and educational goals in a way that fits your schedule.
3. Affordability
Remote classes center around saving institutions a tremendous amount of money by no longer having to depend on reserving a physical location to teach. As a result, it adds to the importance of online learning, ultimately translating into more cost-effective classes for the students. In addition to saving money on basic supplies like textbooks, etc., you can also save on travel and lunch expenses.
4. Foster More Interaction
Some might assume that learning in a physical setting is the most natural and best way to interact. However, it’s not necessarily true! In an online classroom, no learner sits in the back row as everyone is front and center! Those students who are too shy to ask a question can now initiate a live private conversation with their instructor to clarify and better understand different concepts and ideas.
Moreover, learners uncomfortable with broadcasting to the entire class can choose to mute their microphones or disable their cameras while continuing to participate in the lecture. A student’s ability to hide may seem a disadvantage, but teachers have the option to administer online quizzes to ensure that every one of them is engaged, contributing to the importance of online learning in higher education. Also, they can edit and enrich videos for a better online learning experience.
In conventional classrooms, instructors may write notes on a blackboard, assuming that every student is jotting down the information. Online learning enables teachers to write notes on digital whiteboards or even assign learners to write real-time notes that they can easily download after the lesson.
5. Unlock New Learning Opportunities
Did you ever want to learn French but couldn’t because you simply were never available? Perhaps the small amount of time you managed to carve out of your full-time job and family responsibilities to learn a new language didn’t coincide with the class hours at your nearest community college. Now with online education, the sky is the limit for new learning opportunities. Students can access a world of possibilities through their laptops or smartphones, allowing them to learn from instructors worldwide in any time zone and at any time of the day.
Cons of Online Learning
No learning environment is perfect, and online education doesn’t work for everyone. Furthermore, like any other form of education, it has its disadvantages. Therefore, knowing the negative aspects of online education is essential so you can decide whether it is the right choice.
1. Feeling Isolated
Every individual has their own learning style. Some learners can work independently, while others are more comfortable studying on community campuses with easy access to instructors and their peers. For these students, online spaces may leave a sense of isolation in them. Virtual classroom platforms are trying their best to bridge such gaps with collaboration techniques to create a sense of community through a series of tools to motivate students to participate in the learning sessions actively. Henceforth, eLearning must support the social aspect of the educational process to be as effective as traditional classes.
2. Need for Self-Discipline
When studying at home, you need self-motivation to set your schedules and stick to them. Therefore, it becomes challenging for entirely self-paced classes. However, if we move to virtual, real-time classes instead of online ones, they foster a greater sense of accountability and help educators to keep students engaged. Also, using tools such as live quizzes and breakout rooms help assess understanding and encourages group activity.
3. Additional Teachers’ Training
Online classes require extra effort from teachers to make a successful course. Educators need to develop a deep understanding of different teaching and learning methods to avoid emulating the physical class environment and missing out on added benefits and tools of eLearning & blended learning.
Additionally, instructors need proper technical training, such as audio and video recording equipment, virtual classroom, lecture capture software, and Learning Management Software (LMS). So, the investment in proper training will lead to the success of the institution, the teacher, and the students.
4. Technical Issues
One of the classic drawbacks of virtual learning centers around technical problems. Nothing interrupts an online session more than a connection, audio, or video issue. In the past, learners were asked to download certain apps or technology that would then deliver inconsistent performances. Fortunately, nowadays, students can access online classes through the click of a link without installing any software. Moreover, internet connections and people’s devices worldwide have also improved.
5. More Screen Time
More screen time is inevitable in 2022 as we spend frightening amounts of time in front of technology and gadgets. Excessive screen time leads to physical ailments like poor posture and headaches. But it can also be a problem for students who find it challenging to learn from or focus on screens. Since social media and entertainment are a click away from the learning material on the internet, students get easily distracted. The better eLearning platforms and software have features and tools to aid students in staying attentive and engaged.
Final Thoughts!
There are benefits and negative aspects of online education. But since the technological advancements, many concerns of students taking online classes have been addressed, making the advantages outshine the disadvantages.
