COVID-19 had a lasting impact on the nation’s population, where the education sector witnessed a substantial global impact, forcing schools and universities to shut down and find new ways to teach and learn. Due to this crisis, schools moved to online or alternative learning environments to protect students’ academic progress and prospects.
The following are some of the advantages and justifications for why, even after three years of the pandemic, online education is still widespread:
Freedom from Black Box Education and Increasing Transparency:
The term “black box” is frequently used to characterize schools. After returning home, a common question parents ask is, ‘What happened in school today’? Parents outside the classroom still have questions about what happens inside closed spaces. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and education shifted online, parents realized that teachers were still using outdated teaching and test methods, which prevented them from offering high-quality education in the age of artificial intelligence and design thinking. The most powerful tool available to parents in online education is transparency. Teachers know that parents are always watching over their children, giving them peace of mind that they receive a top-notch education.
Comfortable Safe Space:
Even after several years of COVID-19, parents are concerned about their children’s health. Online study at home has grown adaptable, and students can access any course materials from any location, simplifying the understanding of concepts for students with different learning styles. Learners can create study schedules in their own dedicated space, allowing them to learn at their own pace without feeling stressed. There’s no reason to abandon your studies while travelling and exploring new and exotic places; online education is an excellent option to keep your studies on track.
Personalized Learning:
Online schooling offers individualized learning experiences through interactive tools catering to students’ interests, strengths and weaknesses. A personalised curriculum that tailors the concepts to each student’s level of ability is necessary because sometimes students feel that they don’t understand the practical application of a concept because of the virtual distance between them and the teacher. Children are educated and motivated to love learning through personalized curricula, individual attention, creative teaching techniques, and immediate feedback on their comprehension of the concepts.
Decreased Educational Barriers and Enhanced Interaction Worldwide:
The educators working in the school are the same educators who reside five to six kilometres from the school. As a result, students cannot access the best teachers in the country or worldwide. With the help of online education, students can enroll in courses and programs at renowned institutions and receive instruction from expert educators, no matter where they live. This, therefore, gives students greater exposure and equal opportunities. The foundation for our ability to communicate and form friendships with people around the world has been established by online learning. Given that the child’s future career will involve interacting with people from various cultures and time zones.
Making Global Friends:
Online schooling connects students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Interacting with peers from different parts of the world exposes students to various cultures, traditions and perspectives. This exposure fosters cultural understanding and appreciation, helping students develop global awareness and empathy. Interacting with global friends exposes students to diverse viewpoints and ideas. They can engage in discussions on various topics, gaining insights and learning from different perspectives. This diversity of thought enhances critical thinking skills and broadens students’ horizons. It also results in promoting personal growth and development. It encourages students to step out of their comfort zones, embrace diversity and adapt to different cultural norms and communication styles. These experiences contribute to their social and emotional development, fostering resilience, open-mindedness and intercultural competence.
Enhanced Quality of Life:
With an emphasis on conscious learning, conscious growth and conscious future development, online learning has lessened the burden of additional homework and more time to extracurricular activities. Within the learning management system (LMS) student’s quizzes and collaborative projects are developed. Children can devote time to hobbies, get enough rest, spend more time with their families, eat healthier and also practice spirituality.
Tech-forward Future:
Technology has made education much more accessible which uses AR/VR technology to provide students a dynamic and engaging environment. The shift introduces a multifaceted approach to learning that goes beyond traditional online education’s constraints and simple visuals. Imagine students immersing themselves in historical events through immersive simulations or studying the human body virtually to gain a deeper understanding of biology. 3D education makes learning more engaging and interactive.
Teachers and policymakers can lessen the difficulties of online learning by using technology sensibly, creating communities, and offering extensive support networks. Given that technology is a part of both the present and the future, it is essential to balance online and hybrid learning to prevent children from missing out on social interactions.
The author is the, Founder of Dreamtime Learning School