During this age of the Covid-19 pandemic, internet schooling or online learning for students has become the new normal. Schools and institutions had to implement stringent lockdown measures and close classrooms to prevent the epidemic from spreading. The complete closure of educational institutions produced a substantial disruption in the academic year and a significant gap in student learning. On the other hand, most schools were able to schedule online classes for students, allowing them to learn safely from the comfort of their own homes. However, the most pressing concern currently is whether online learning is truly useful to pupils or has any negative consequences.
Advantages:
1. Effectiveness
Online learning allows teachers to give more efficient lessons to their pupils. Teachers can employ various online learning tools, such as videos, PDFs, and podcasts, as part of their lesson preparations. Teachers can be more efficient educators by using online resources in their lesson preparations in addition to traditional textbooks.
2. Time and location accessibility
Another benefit of online education is that it permits students to take classes wherever they want. This allows students to access the instructional materials whenever convenient for them. It also enables schools to reach out to a larger network of pupils rather than be limited by geographical limits. Online lectures can be recorded, stored, and shared for later viewing.
3. An increase in student attendance
There are lower risks of pupils missing lectures because online classes can be attended from home or other locations.
4. Prevents students from becoming infected
Virtual classrooms eliminate the need for pupils to attend school and interact with others. This helps maintain their immune system strong by preventing them from contracting diseases from others. Furthermore, being at home allows children to eat healthy and fresh foods all day, which is essential for building their immune system and combating any Covid effects.
Traditional learning encourages students to be less focused and much more swayed by peer pressure. On the other hand, online learning allows students to progress at their own pace. As a result, there is less stress from other pupils, allowing them to concentrate better.
Disadvantages:
1. Issues with Internet Access
Online learning is difficult when your internet system is malfunctioning. Even terrible are slow connections. There’s nothing you can do about it.
2. It Doesn’t have the same warmth as face-to-face interaction
Studying in a physical classroom is more engaging because there is more human interaction. There are classmates to talk to and a teacher to seek immediate advice. This is something that online learning lacks.
3. Inability to focus while looking at a computer screen
One of the most difficult aspects of online learning for many students is focusing on a screen for lengthy periods. Students are more likely to be quickly diverted by social media or other websites while they learn online. As a result, to keep students focused on the material, teachers must keep their online classes brief, intriguing, and interactive.
4. Keep track of your screen time
The surge in screen time is one of the most severe issues and drawbacks of online learning. Many parents are worried about the health risks of their children looking at a screen for long periods. Students may acquire terrible posture and other bodily problems due to sitting crouched in front of a screen for long periods. Allowing students to take frequent computer breaks to refresh their bodies and minds might be a fantastic alternative.
Conclusion:
For both professors and students, e-learning is a new reality. They will achieve greater results if they learn to engage in online education as quickly as possible. Although both teachers and students are having some difficulties adapting to this new environment, recognizing the benefits and drawbacks of online education can be beneficial. Using the correct software can also help with a successful digital transformation.
The benefits of online classes are starting to drown out the negatives, as technology capabilities have reached new levels and many of the key worries of students attending online classes have been addressed.
