Online learning: Boon for the Education system during the Lockdown

The corona pandemic has made a global impact since the past few weeks and continues to disrupt many more sectors with education being one of them. Students are losing the most valuable time in their education because of the lockdown. The situation has forced the schools to shut down completely and the students to stay at home.

Children, as well as parents, are emotionally and psychologically drained due to this immediate crisis. However, the extended lockdown period is forcing the education sector to evolve and adapt to the new digital techniques. Most of the schools and educational institutions have introduced online classes for students to avoid wasting time until the schools reopen. 

Importance of Online Learning

It is rightly said that education should not stop even at the time of crisis. ICT (Information and Communication Technology) has proved as a boon for us, it has become the great facilitator and enabler of online learning. It has kept the learning process intact even in such an hour of crisis. 

Online classes have enabled the students to follow a fixed schedule. It has opened many new avenues for the students and get adapted to ed-tech and explore many e-learning websites. These tools have enabled constant earning for students and offered several benefits such as flexibility, comfort and interactive user interface. ICT has, in fact, reduced the barrier of social distancing lockdown with the help of so many digital and online initiatives and tools. 

Advantages of Online Learning

1. Easily Accessible

The online learning method requires two things, an internet connection with good speed and a computer or mobile. The online classes require the students to just log into apps such as Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, or Google classroom. The sessions can even be recorded for later use. 

2. Convenience

Students can easily attend online classes and even attend their existing responsibilities and commitments during the day. The student can learn the concepts at his/her own pace and time and plan his/her study schedule flexibly. The online environment can reduce the burden of the students and can become a boon for them if they plan to study systematically.

3. Available 24X7

The students can be in constant touch with their teachers without the limitation of time and their doubts can also be easily solved. The students and teachers can maintain a warm relationship and a healthy learning environment through this practice.

4. Personalized services 

E-learning can provide a personalized environment, the students can customize the learning environment, the learning content, the interaction between the teacher, student, and learning content as per their own preferences. This can inculcate more interest in the students towards their studies.

5. Budget-Friendly 

There are numerous online courses that are available for free access. The online interviews and videos are a great way to learn basic concepts easily.

6. Flexible 

Online classes can help students plan the study time around the rest of their day. This can help them to devote more time and refer other study material and do their individual research on a specific concept. They can even take short breaks in between and get back to their studies. 

7. Comfortable Environment

Students can feel more comfortable by attending Online classes from home.     Headphones can be used if there is noise. The students who struggle to concentrate can benefit most from the online classes as it can help them to remain more focussed. They can study in the comfort of their homes with a fresh mind.

8. Save the travelling expenses

The students are not required to travel to a particular class for learning which helps them to save their travelling expenses. This can help them to remain focussed on their studies from the comfort of their home.

9. Individual attention

Online classes prove beneficial for both the students as well as the teachers as they can interact freely during the sessions. Doubts can be put forth and discussed. Teachers too won’t have excessive pressure and burden and can pay individual attention to every student.

10. Exercising Social Distancing

Students can follow the social distancing rules by staying at home. They can be safe and take the required safety precautions. Their studies can also be taken care of and a proper balance can be maintained.  

However, online learning does have some cons such as students need to maintain strict self-discipline since it is their responsibility to complete the work and studies on time. The students also need to work on proper time-management to avoid getting overburdened by studies.