The 5 Most Promising Features Of Online Learning

30th July 2021

The last couple of years have seen a dramatic change in the education industry. The pandemic and global lockdowns proved to be blessings in disguise. Let us compare a few aspects that evolved and were accepted. The functional carriages and carts evolved to modern cars with elaborate facilities and the best use of technology. From pigeons, we have come to touch screen cell phones. A classroom- it is highly doubtful if a newness or evolution according to the changing needs were at all forecasted ever.

If you look at the picture of a traditional classroom and a contemporary one, globally we were still yet to accept the changing needs of the learners. Technology in classrooms was not accepted in the majority of the classrooms around the world. The reasons were many- lack of awareness, fear of change, etc. The pandemic gave the ability to embrace a change that was needed a decade ago already. Looking into the present the change is radical. The change made educators realise the power of this alternative method.

E-learning forums and virtual classrooms have now opened gates to a lot of specialised, alternative courses and programs as well as the regular school academics to be conducted in full flow. Overnight teachers had to modify their teaching tools, classroom management strategies, instructions, assignments and evaluation. While these depended partially on a learning management system, what did not come with notice is to what extent the teachers had to change their delivery styles.

Now that the physical existence of a classroom has been reduced to a laptop, the teachers were seen to have found it quite difficult to embrace the change. Complaints and lack of confidence over the newfound alternative made it a tedious process for the teachers to accept the break from the traditional learning-teaching settings of a classroom. Much that it was welcomed with a lot of hesitation, teachers got into their digital skin with ease and in considerably less time. Within a year, teachers all around the world have been successfully meeting the deadlines, following curriculum and delivering classes like how they would do in a regular instance. The change was hard but it made a lot of things clear. Not only for the educators, but it seems like the people heading the business of education understand the true connection of going online in present times.

Technology has been a constant for school-goers today. They have an automated knowledge of how to function with technology. That makes it a lot easier as they are the target market to whom the education is designed to cater. As for the professional courses for adults, such options make it easier for them to not compromise on their existing work routine. The openness and the updated attitude of online learning and virtual classroom have been validated to be the future of education.

Let us look at the areas which prove it

1. Flexibility: It helps to gauge the learning pace and the teaching pace of the taker and the giver. A schedule that fits everyone’s docket. This caters to both young and adult learners. Flexibility in learning also helps to balance the aspects of time management and provides equal opportunities and relative autonomy to the learners; which is what the 21st century learners need.

2. Range of programs: Online education has made it possible to have a lot of specialised programs and courses that did not see the light of the day for decades due to no change of the growth mindset. When the entire face of education changed, such opportunities came at a consumer’s reach and today alternative education is normal. Programs are streamlined and designed to meet specific learning needs; be it for adults, adolescents or young learners. The best part is that you do not have to set foot on campus and the accreditations are made transparent for the learners on the internet.

3. Accessibility: Virtual classrooms can be easily accessed with an internet connection. It does not restrict you to a place or a definite study culture. You can have access to education right when you log in through your device and sign in to the virtual classroom space. At times the availability of pre-recorded courses or recorded classes helps the learners to match with their pace and study with fewer challenges.

4. Tailor-made experience: While the online education and the programs are designed, the idea is to cater to all kinds of learners and their learning needs. The diverse use of materials and tools, animation and graphics, activities and projects help to amalgamate the learning objectives into a package that fits the requirements. At times the extra content and personalised feedback make the experience more dynamic and customised.

5. Cost-effectiveness: In-class programs require not only the presence of the teacher and learners but also a huge cost. Electricity, basic amenities like water and classroom tools, handbooks, textbooks, notebooks, etc. For the guarantors of education, online education provides better budget management as now the payment options are also varied.

Hence to conclude, online education has become the most sought after and quite the comfort for the direct users - learners and teachers. With no or less commute to the campus, elaborate use of technology to design effective learning structures, feedback, assignments and personalised evaluation schemes, teachers have also become more active. In some places, it is also witnessed how the teachers are passionately doing their jobs instead of only waiting for their paychecks. This new way is the ideal future and it is here to stay.