Online Learning- Pleasures and Pressures
Unexpected, indecisive, and phenomenal, are the preferred adjectives to describe the Covid 19 world
of 2020. The pandemic and lockdown had embraced every segment of the globe and
the education sector was also badly affected. Though the impact of Covid 19 is
observed in every sector of the world, without any doubt we can say that the education
sector is one of the most suffering among them, no matter, where in the world
you are or what you study.
We have clearly sensed just how
the year 2020 now finished has been difficult for the education sector, as
well as for most the other sectors. It is a fact that we cannot escape from the
sufferings and pains of this pandemic. Though we cannot control what happens to
us, with strong determination and willpower we have to fight with it and must
be overcome with the help of a strong mind. Now the pandemic Covid19 is a more
problematic issue than any other issue that has happened to mankind.
Online learning, fortunately,
gives solutions to the problems of the education sector to a great extent. It
is the question of tradition versus a situation that has brought us in front of
digital devices. The education sector has been fighting to survive the crises
with a different approach and they were forced to migrate to online mode for
the teaching and learning process. Necessity is the mother of invention and all
the developments and innovations around the world are the results of necessity.
Let us look at some positives in
online learning or the pleasures of online learning. The first point to come up
was, it has forced us into raising awareness and taught us that change is
inevitable. It also prompted educational specialists to rethink the
traditional mode of training. Another pleasure of online learning is location
flexibility, students can attend classes from any location, from their own
house, or from a relative’s house. It also allows them to attend classes in open spaces instead of being restricted by closed rooms.
Another pleasure of online
learning relates to an improvement in attendance. Since online learning is
available at the location of their choice no need to miss the class even if
they are not well. Besides, the students can stay with their parents and it
helps to reduce stress and improves emotional well-being. Next, online learning suits a variety of
learning styles, some of our students are interested in visual learning and
some others prefer audio learning. Without looking into textbooks they can hear
recorded audio again and again.
For those who are interested in
visual learning, the online learning method, with its videos and PDFs creates a
perfect learning environment. Another advantage is that some shy students who weren’t active in the classroom before, are responding much better through
digital learning. Next, recorded online lectures allow students to access the
class at a time of their comfort.
However, with the arrival of each
new method of learning, a feeling of doubt is registered in the minds of the
public same as in the case of online learning. We all have a tendency to look
into the bad effects rather than the good. Here are some pressures of online
learning. Online learning is entirely different from the traditional chalk-and-talk method. Online learning is a relatively new concept for most of us and
shifting to online mode was rather sudden. It has posed several challenges to
teachers as well as students. The first challenge is the lack of appropriate
digital devices such as laptops for conducting classes online.
The lack of adequate internet
bandwidth escalated the problem. It is very sad to say, our teachers were not
in a position to conduct online classes because of a lack of training. Yet they
tried their level best. Adapting technology for online teaching within a short
period was a major challenge, with no choice, teachers started online
classes from their homes. The teachers, as well as students, have to invest their
own money in devices, software, and the Internet. Only about 20% of teachers and students can access online education on a larger screen.
Nearly 80% of students are typically attending classes on their mobile phone,
even a mobile phone costs near to Rs. 10000, something that is unaffordable.
If education is a fundamental right, then we must think about the right
to devices also. We must make sure, the devices for online learning are
accessible to all. In addition to the lack of devices like laptops and
sufficient bandwidth, they also faced problems because of the frequent visits of
family members during online classes. Online teaching and learning in a home
environment are entirely different from classroom environments. The home
environment of some students is not always perfect for learning, may be very
noisy or very sensitive. Even if they have sufficient bandwidth, some students
are forced to switch off their videos because they don’t want to reveal their
domestic circumstances.
For many students, long screen time may result in headaches and eye pain. Some of them turn off their cameras and may not respond to teachers. There is a chance of cheating in their exams by opening the books or searching Google for answers. Teachers, as well as students, may not be able to function well if there are power failures or internet problems. It may be very difficult to assess lab-based courses and fieldwork-based courses.
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