Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it.Malcolm X
Have you ever imagined a world that doesn’t exist in reality but we can still use? So come with me and Imagine, just imagine a rift in the fabric of space and time, there imagine a small bubble growing in size, and in there is where this parallel dimension exists that we still have a lot to discover about and what may this world be Our Future.
Being physically present in a classroom isn’t the only learning option anymore. This has been visible in the educational sector with the demand for e-learning rising rapidly. To top it off online learning has been the only option standing in this pandemic and therefore the only option adapted to continue the reign of education.
But there is no need to discount the skepticism surrounding it. And asking to leave behind the notion of a traditional classroom and enter a place the vast space that we call the Internet.
So Is online learning the pathway that we shall travel to enter the future?
OR
Will it be the pathway to our fall?
To find our answers we must go on a journey through a parallel dimension, a dimension that doesn’t exist in the fabric of space and time.
How is the Educational sector responding to COVID-19?
In these times many educational online platforms are offering free access to their services to maintain the educational system, like BYJU’S. As a result, it has seen a 200 % rise in no.of consumers. This has not only taken action in India, but the whole world is adapting to this new world, for example, The Chinese government instructed a ¼ of a Billion full-time students to translate their studies online. That resulted in the biggest “online movement” in the history of education.
But some are opposing the idea of e-learning. Some believe that this uncoordinated and unplanned move to online-learning, with little preparation, will result in poor user experience. On the other hand, people believe that soon e-learning will be a part of education whatever the problems and consequences.
The Challenges of Online learning
However, there are challenges to overcome. The biggest of them being, reliable internet access and the technological struggle to participate in digital learning. For example, 95 % of students in Switzerland, Norway, and Australia have computers, but only 34% of Indonesia do. This drives the concern that this pandemic will widen the gap. Also, recent studies show that e-learning can cause social isolation, which in turn affects people mentally. Other factors like Cheating, lack of face-to-face communication also come into play.
So, Is Learning as effective?
Research shows that on average students retain 25%-60% more material than in a classroom. This is because learning much faster and convenient online because students can learn at their own pace, through concepts as they choose. Nevertheless, the effectiveness varies among age groups. The general agreement on children, especially younger ones, is that they are easily distracted, so a range of collaboration tools and engagement methods can be used. It’s been shown that the clever involvement of games has demonstrated a higher concentration level and increased engagement. It has more accessibility to study material to improve your lessons, this extra content is available at any moment, anywhere, you just need an internet connection and a computer or any other device. Finally, it’s more cost-effective. There’s also often a wide range of payment options, which allows for better management.
Students all over the world must assess their situation and must make a choice between Online Learning and Traditional Classroom. I have said my part in this but remember this e-learning has opened a world of virtually endless possibilities for the world of education. A very important possibility that has been made clear in this time is the importance of spreading knowledge across borders, companies, and all the parts of society.
We have been introduced to this new world and now it’s our job to explore it.
Author Details
Mrinavv Saikia, Mumbai ©2020
Email id : mrinnav.saikia@gmail.com
