Online education: The challenges
Online education could be a style of an educational system that’s delivered via the web to students using their home computers or any electronic devices. As per the KPMG report, India’s online education sector is worth over 15,000 crores now. The COVID-triggered lockdown has provided an immense opportunity to the tutorial tech firms. It’s said that since the lockdown started, it’s seen a 30% increase within the time spent on education on the typical in India. In step with Google, India education is an over $100 billion market today. While online education is just about $2 billion, this can be often said to be growing at a rapid CAGR of fifth. It’s said that 65% of Indians are within the age group of 12–29 years aged.
During the last decade, online degrees and courses became a popular alternative for a good range of nontraditional students that features those that want to try full-time, part-time jobs or raising families. Most of the time, online programs and courses are offered by the host school’s online learning platform, although some are delivered using alternative technologies. The most difference between online and traditional education is that online education liberates the coed from the difficulties of on-campus degree programs — which incorporates traveling to the campus, planning their schedule in line with the classes, and being physically present for every submission of their coursework.
Benefits of Online Education:
- Flexibility
Students have the liberty to handle their careers and education because they don’t seem to be sure to follow a hard and fast schedule. 54% of individuals who choose online learning tend to possess other commitments, and like online courses, because it gives them the power to regulate their own schedule and the way they need to delegate their time towards their different projects.
2. Reduced Costs
Online education can refuse the value of the education by up to $50000 and this can be possible thanks to a range of reasons. As an example, there’s no cost for traveling. Assorted costs that are associated with transportation, like fuel, parking, car maintenance, and/or public transportation costs don’t apply to an internet student.
3. Networking Opportunities
Online education also provides students with a chance to network and connect with peers across different countries or perhaps different continents. At a similar time, it makes them culturally sensitive and prepared to suit into other environments easily given their exposure to other cultures.
4. Accessibility
All the knowledge that’s required for the education is safely stored in a web-database which might be accessed by the coed at any time at their convenience. So if the coed has any doubts it is clarified at any time of the day.
Challenges of online education
Although online education has many advantages it also possesses many challenges especially thanks to the pandemic there was a sudden shift within the whole education system from traditional in-school learning to online learning which is claimed to be a more modernized way of learning.
1.Adaptability Struggle.
Switching from traditional classroom and face-to-face learning to computer-based learning in an exceedingly virtual classroom makes the training experience entirely different for college kids. Their resistance towards change doesn’t allow them to adapt to the new online learning environment. While passive listening and notes taking are expected during a standard classroom, online discussions or creating an online page demand springing into action. Students with a “traditional” mindset find it very difficult to adapt.
2.Technical Issues.- In India, not all scholars have access to high bandwidth or the strong internet connection that online courses require, and thus fail to catch up with their virtual classmates. Not only strong intent but also a strong enough device is required to follow the Course Management System and their learning experience becomes problematic. Moreover, most of them live off campus and find it difficult to remain in tune with the technical requirements of the chosen course. A number of them don’t even own computers and seek help in learning resource centers for technical assistance.
3.Computer Literacy- Although most students are tech-savvy, and prepared to manage computers well, lack of computer literacy could also be a significant issue among students today. Many of them don’t know the way to use basic computer programs like Microsoft Word and PowerPoint and thus don’t seem to be able to handle their files. Furthermore, many students find fixing basic computer problems troublesome, as they have no knowledge in this area. However, computer literacy could be a must for following online courses, because it enables students to flexibly manage their assignments and coursework in an organized manner without struggling. Basic courses in computer literacy are very important because they enhance students’ knowledge during this field and provides the fundamental knowledge of hardware which might help them participate in online classes without interruptions and hindrances.
4.Time Management- Time management is also a difficult task for online students, although the online education system is flexible in most cases, they require plenty of time and intensive concentrate on work. Furthermore, since it’s mostly adults preferring web-based learning programs for her place and time flexibility. They barely have any time left for themselves to want the courses because of their various everyday commitments. A daily schedule planner could be a giant help to such students, as they may set reminders for his or her courses and assignments.
5.Self-Motivation- Self-motivation is a vital quality required during a web student; however, many online learners lack it, much to their surprise. After enrolling in distance learning courses, many sources claim that a shocking 90% of the people fall behind and abandoning on their online course never finishing it due to the shortage of self-motivation. Students ought to find the motivation to follow the new educational trends and also properly equip themselves for future challenges in their education and careers. Only a positive attitude will help them overcome the challenges in one education, though this is often hard to practice, students have to be compelled to understand that it’s a necessity so on reaping the benefits of an internet course.
6.Virtual Engagement- Online classes help teachers to provide reading, assignments, communication via email, live chats, or messages and delivering content by live sessions, presentations, recorded videos, or lectures for the students. In spite of those activities, still, some students don’t find engaging compared to a typical one. Students find it difficult to talk face to face who struggles with understanding concepts. Repeatedly these students don’t even approach teachers to clear their doubts.
7.Feedback- Every student needs feedback for his or her performance during the training process so that they’ll improve their learning abilities. They’re not only observed during the tests or exams but also for each assignment and project. Research reveals that the students hardly visit their assignments to work out their suggestions and comments. The feedback model with respect to online are visiting be difficult for them to grasp and implement.
8.Assessment- Assessment is that the foremost vital element of online learning for school kids also as teachers. And it causes stress to students sometimes. So whenever there are assignments or projects, teachers might face a lot of questions from the students. As there’s less communication between students and teachers, expectation from the students’ performances also differs. Students are likely to experience less homework, fewer assignments, or lack of examination sometimes. This can cause difficulties for teachers in assessments.
Shift to online education is also good news, but at its initial stage, it poses certain threats to students. Attitude change and technological literacy would help them gain confidence so on achieve their courses with a positive vibe. While learners can’t wait to urge back to the colleges, this spell of online learning goes to travel away principals and educators richer in terms of insights into what constitutes quality education and their own preparedness to deliver it. The challenges of quality online learning are visiting be managed before later due to the inherent transparency of this medium. However, the important challenge would be to not slip into our old ‘teacher-driven ways and to remember and apply the learnings of this phase to enhance our regular classes' post lockdown restrictions.
-By Archie, SDF Batch 11, Smt. Maniben M.P Shah College, Mumbai, Maharashtra
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