Is online schooling as effective as in-class education?
Along with bringing many new changes to the lifestyles of many, Covid -19 has also brought a breakthrough in the field of education. The virtual education industry is on fire!. Statistics show that in the year 2020, Japan’s e-learning market was predicted to reach 246 billion Japanese yen, reaching double the size of the market in fiscal 2012. Is pandemic the sole reason behind this flurry?
Due to this immense growth, not only the platforms which once felt left out of this non-linear world of competitive opportunities but also educationalist and students are now seeing the need to adopt the new way of education. However they are also occupied with the same question, “is virtual leaning fruitful enough to compete physical learning?”
Stability of online learning.
The emerging virtual environment offers a new standard for educators in which a variety of courses of exceptional quality can be developed and also provides unmatched chances for people who would otherwise have bounded access to schooling. The extent of it’s growth can be judged by the fact that not only Japan’s but also the global e-learning market is forecasted to reach $325 billion by the year 2025!.
Following are the reasons why online programs have become a common form of distance learning for students of all age groups today:
Anyplace…
Imagine taking a Math or Economics class while sitting on your favorite sofa or from a cozy coffee shop, both of which are much more enjoyable and pleasant than your typical schoolroom setting. That’s exactly what online classes offer you; to learn from wherever you feel comfortable, provided you have a compatible device and internet. Moreover, the online format allows physically handicapped students (and instructors) more privilege to attend classes.
Whenever...
The online Classroom is reachable all day all night, whole week. Time efficiency is also a strength provided by the online learning model. There is no interrogations about doing the work; just do it at any convenient time. Students can acquire their courses anytime. Further, they have uninterrupted access to lectures, text materials, and conferences. This is particularly sutaible for those who may need to go over a lecture or take more time on some course work before proceeding further.
A budget-friendly way.
The most notable characteristics of online learning is it’s affordability. Despite being much inexpensive then physical studies, online programs offers the best as classroom learning. Many students of the online learning forum save a lot of money as they only have to pay the tuition fee and not other big tag stuff, which can then be directed towards other fruitful causes like an extra skill course or sports.
Makes you ready for practical life.
Being enrolled in the online platform, you’ll get in the practice of learning independently, which prepares you for the environment which you will most likely encounter at a workplace. Many jobs require cyclic training in an online format, as well as individual research to enlarge new skills or developments in technology. With experience in both aspects, you can impress employers with your ability to learn and continue growing while on the job. Many online graduates find themselves fully equipped to cater job experiences since they were already in the form of learning and working as a student.
Fragility of online learning:
While distance learning have prominent strengths and unrivaled availability to fine education, there are some drawbacks associated with it’s use that can diminish it’s profile. These problems fall into five main categories.
Possibility of accreditation:
One of the biggest concerns of the students is that some of the courses offered online are not being accredited by the concerned authorities. The degrees don’t hold a significant recognition due to which students might end up struggling to get a specific in an already competitive field with no better prepared for the work force.
Checking whether the program is accredited with a concerned agency before initiating an online program is a small step that can save you from such a situation on the long run.
Requires intense self-motivation and determination:
While an online method of education can be a highly constructive alternative to physical classes for the mature, self-disciplined student, it is an unsuitable learning environment for more dependent learners. As great freedom also brings bigger responsibility, taking an online course requires self-directing your self in order to set aside chunks of time to complete a training. Which also means having a very firm control on your nerves and letting no other activities interfere. And unfortunately this could be challenging for those who have a never-ending daily to-do list.
Little interaction with trainer:
Online courses reduce the interaction between the instructors and students to a very extent. Not just meagre individual attention of the tutor but, the virtual medium of education also struggles in providing those vital aspects such as discussions with fellow students, which ultimately keeps the learning environment alive. These blank spaces might be a big hurdle for many tutees.
Availability of technology:
Before any online program can initiate it must have participants who could access the online network. Lack of access is a significant issue in backward areas where internet is not available, as well as in lower middleclass neighborhoods where it might be available but is too costly for many households.
If the participants’ time on the network is limited by the quota of Internet access they can afford, then instruction and engagement in the online program will not be fair for all students in the course.
Fimilarity with computer syntax:
Both students and facilitators must possess a base level of computer knowledge in order to run the online platform successfully. For example, they must be able to use several search engines and be comfortable surfing on the World Wide Web, as well as be familiar with the emailing procedures and a variety of software which a specially designed to host discussions. Former U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum also emphasis on this aspect as she says, “There can be infinite uses of computer and of new technology (in training) ,but if the instructors themselves are not able to bring it to the learners and make it work, then it fails.”
Top global E-education providers.
As the field of online education continues to prosper, there are many emerging and already established platforms that ensure that this new technique of education is not less then any other.
Following is a list of a few globally preferred websites:
• Coursera – it is the most acknowledged and trusted online learning service provider website. It offers a number of courses in various subjects. The best thing is that the organization if affiliated with many renowned universities all over the world. This means the student will be granted a leading university’s certification on completion of their respective courses. The website makes sure that the atmosphere of online education is same as classroom learning. From data science to musical theory, an ample range of courses is made available.
• Khan Academy –it is an extensively known online learning website, which provides a variety of educating free micro-lectures. The aim of this academy is to provide the best and in depth knowledge of the traditional subjects with the help of video and written material.
• Udemy – despite being a charged site, it is still a very famous name in the field of online education. This is one of the most preferred websites in online education, as they add approximately 800 new courses each month to their already vast collection. The fees charged by the website also vary from $10 to $500 depending upon the course.
• MIT Open Course Ware –it is governed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The website offers plenty of courses. The relevant information and valid knowledge are provided to the participants through text and multimedia tutorials.
• National Geographic Kids –this is a unique platform for kids to learn while having fun. The website provides an unceremonious environment for kids so that they can learn more quickly. Kids learn different academic aspects by solving quizzes and games. The interesting animations keep them engaged in the whole learning process.
CONCLUSION:
Online education and its benefits as well as it’s drawbacks is a hot topic nowadays, but can this modern way of learning replace the conventional classroom education?.
Not really – because both have different characteristics associated with them which suits students of different requirements and conditions. People will learn to use the two together. However, when it comes to the debate of online vs offline, the truth is that online learning can never really replace an on-campus experience.
