The use of online learning has become the usual method of taking classes and lectures, testing and grading students, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic! Thanks to the fact it provided significant benefits to the educational system and made it easier to deliver lectures at their best, this approach and its tools are still in use today.
The advantages this method has brought to the school system are huge, but there are also some negativities which we will both cover in today’s article.
Advantages of online learning
- A plethora of possibilities
The number of tools available to teachers in online learning to efficiently deliver learning content to their students is enormous! With the help of platforms for creating tests and quizzes, classrooms, and video-streaming platforms that enable teachers to comfortably transmit knowledge, enabling the students to actively participate.
- Mobility
Online learning allows anyone to attend classes and offer lectures from the comfort of their own home. As a result, everyone is more motivated, and more focused on the genuine issue while sitting in their favorite spot.
- Affordability
Besides the actual learning and passing the exams, students nowadays are crowded with a lot of additional obstacles. Without a doubt, one of the most frustrating challenges is money! Typically, students must invest in transportation to and from school or college, as well as food and drink. For college students who travel to different cities, the greatest burden is undoubtedly apartment rent.
All of these difficulties, however, are eliminated with an online learning system! Students no longer have to worry about how they will go to school or college, how much they will spend on meals and beverages, or whether they will be able to pay their rent on time!
- Higher attendance
Because it does not necessitate students’ actual presence, this learning method has been demonstrated to improve attendance! Students are occasionally grumpy and do not want to leave the comfort of their homes, so they opt to skip lectures. However, with an online learning approach, they can keep track of the class by simply clicking on the URL provided by the teacher.
Disadvantages of online learning
- Lack of self-discipline
Every student has a unique personality, and a lack of self-discipline has been identified as one of the most significant issues in online learning. Students feel a greater sense of freedom, which amuses them but can divert their attention, resulting in reduced interest in the lesson. That is why it is critical for instructors to actively interact with all students through games, quizzes, and online assessments.
- Costs of additional training for the teachers
Many teachers were caught off guard by the transition to the online learning method. It is difficult for those who are unfamiliar with modern technology to adapt and overcome any potential difficulties. That is why schools must send their personnel to further training, introduce them to the tools, and prepare them to use this technology properly.
- Technical issues
One of the major challenges with online learning methods is technical difficulties! Audio, video and low-bandwidth connection issues are the most common causes of lecture quality degradation. Furthermore, students with outdated computers and equipment will have difficulty keeping up with the teacher. This can be rectified by upgrading the computer and equipment and switching to a better internet provider, which will make it easier to follow the class.
- Self-motivation
A lack of self-motivation is another psychological difficulty that students may face. Students might well be tremendously driven to learn new things initially, but as time passes, they struggle to find the motivation to complete all of their tasks and responsibilities. This may be difficult to overcome, but if they realize they must follow up on the lectures for the sake of their education, the problem will be bearable.
Conclusion
Thanks to the pandemic, the online learning method has shown to be a great alternative to traditional learning approaches and has thus established itself in the modern educational system forever. This article has outlined some of the main benefits and drawbacks of this method, but there is no doubt that it will evolve and develop more over time.