Online education has emerged as a true savior in this global pandemic situation. With more than 10, 481,082 affected, learners, teachers, and parents had no other option but to make a paradigm switch to the hybrid or remote learning setting.
E-books replaced hardcover books, tablets and laptops replaced whiteboards, and virtual meetings replaced traditional classroom settings. Yes, online education existed long before the Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to its knees. But then, it served a different purpose. Now it has become a fundamental mode of learning.
Global lockdown earlier would mean no education, causing a significant learning gap. However, education has become highly convenient and accessible thanks to advanced technology. Online education has transformed the teaching and learning process, making it a distinctive supplement to in-person classroom learning.
That said, there are several disadvantages of this mode of education. The biggest drawback is the lack of access. Hence, the question remains: is online education a blessing or a threat?
Like everything else in life, online education has its pros and cons, with valid reasons. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the challenges and the merits of this mode of learning so you can decide for yourself.
Let’s get started!
Upsides of Online Education
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Flexibility
More and more students are opting for online education for its flexibility. Virtual learning allows learners to log in from anywhere and pursue their coursework without the trouble of commuting amidst the pandemic challenges. Moreover, students can attend live lectures, presentations, and study sessions according to their timetable and complete the coursework at their own pace.
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Affordability
Education today is expensive. Most institutions are more focused on earning money with hefty course fees. And not to forget the huge amount of money you’ve to spend on stationery.
Fortunately, virtual learning has made education affordable. Apart from books and stationery, it eliminates transportation costs and meal costs. Also, all study materials are available online, so there are no printouts, encouraging paperless learning.
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Increased Attendance
Since education has shifted to digital platforms, the rate of absentees has drastically decreased. Students can directly connect from the comfort of their homes, eliminating tiring bus rides to get to class. Teachers can complete their lessons as planned with fewer absentees while students don’t miss out on lectures and regular notes.
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Accessibility
Attending classes from any location allows students to sign up for different courses without the restriction of geographical boundaries. In addition, they can record, archive, and share files across various mediums. This factor allows students to access lectures, notes, and other learning resources anytime, at their comfort.
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Suitability
Another significant advantage of online education is various learning styles. Not every student follows a similar learning style. For example, some students need a tutor for Homework Help, and others don’t. Similarly, many thrive by following the traditional learning methods, while some prefer advanced methods like the audio-visual learning mode.
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Career Advancement
Online education has opened doors to endless career options. Students across the globe can opt for any course to upskill or reskill to increase their salary scale and explore new professional opportunities. Since it offers flexibility and creates more options for a career switch, all working professionals can advance their careers by completing an online course.
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Connectivity
Global connection is of greater importance to succeed in this fast-changing marketplace. Online education allows students to connect with a varied range of prospective from around the globe. As a result, they learn from professionals in the global workforce. Better yet, many professionals from top companies regularly connect with learners to share insights about a range of professional goals.
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Skill Development
Whether a student or a professional, skills are essential to building a flourishing professional career. Time management, stress management, tech skills, live communication skills, and work segmentation are among the most sought-after skills in today’s market. Online education allows students to cope with everything a professional life is likely to throw at them. Knowing how to manage time and honing these skills will be beneficial in the long run.
Downsides of Online Education
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Socio-Economic Gap
Not all students belong to a similar socio-economic background. While millions have gained with the remote learning initiative, two-thirds of the world’s children lack access to the internet and digital learning tools. UNICEF and the International Telecommunication Union call for immediate action to bridge the disparity and create equal online education opportunities for young learners.
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Lack of Focus
Students have to focus on the screen for an extended period in remote learning. But most of them tend to get distracted by different social media sites. Therefore, parents and teachers must monitor the learner’s activities and adopt engaging learning methods to maintain focus.
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Connectivity Issues
Poor internet connectivity is the biggest obstacle students from smaller towns and cities need to overcome to make the most of the hybrid learning model. Without an internet connection of decent speed, learners and educators will struggle to connect. Even if a student wants to hire a tutor for dissertation writing help, internet issues can be detrimental to the entire process. Students can also use the advanced Essay Typer tool if they want to get perfect essays written.
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Minimal Physical Interaction
Believe it or not, students learn a lot in a traditional classroom setting. But with online learning, students are restricted to their screens. There’s no face-to-face interaction with peers. Whatever interactions students and teachers are through Zoom or Skype meets. This often leaves students feeling isolated. Hence, the educators must use different communication features like emails, video calls, group projects, and online messaging to build interaction between the classmates and teachers.
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Increased Screen Time
Online learning has raised a serious concern over increased screen time, especially for young learners. Managing screen time has become an uphill task for most students and parents. Due to prolonged screen time, learners develop a bad posture and various physical challenges for staying hunched near the screen. Therefore, teachers and parents should help young learners to curate a well-balanced routine that gives them a sufficient break from staring at the screen.
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Poorly Skilled Teachers
Yes, we live in a technologically dominated world, and most of us are aware of the latest gadgets, apps, and tech devices. However, some teachers have a basic understanding of modern technologies and don’t have the necessary resources to provide online lessons seamlessly.
Is Online Education a Boon or Bane? Final Note
I would say a little of both!
Amidst the prevailing pandemic, online education has proven a boon for millions across the globe. Teachers and students were able to continue with the teaching and learning process. Moreover, online learning has made education quite affordable. Parents don’t have to pay tons of money on stationery, commutes, school lunches, and other activities, which has been a big relief for parents with a low income.
Online education has made the world a smaller place by connecting them with industry experts from every corner of the world, thus, expanding their career prospective.
While online education has been a real blessing in the current situation, it has raised concerns about mental well-being. Increased screen time, poor internet connection, feeling of isolation, growing monotony, and the lack of study-free time balance are some of the major challenges cited by students worldwide. Therefore, educators, educational institutions, and teachers should prioritize students’ benefits and find ways to curb these obstacles.
Online education is undoubtedly a boon in today’s learning structure. But that certainly doesn’t mean it is an alternative to the traditional form of learning. On the contrary, it can be an excellent add-on for learners to spread their horizons with proper resources and equal access to connectivity and resources.
Author Bio
Ethan Taylor is currently working at a reputed marketing firm in Australia. He has an MBA in digital marketing and is highly passionate about technology, teaching, and athletics. He is associated with MyAssignmenthelp.com as a subject matter expert, where students can reach out to experts for custom assignments, thesis, and dissertation help. Students can connect with him on the site for immediate assistance in marketing.
