To counter the spread of the Coronavirus and maintain a safe social space, schools across the country were temporarily closed and quickly switched from on-campus teaching to distance learning. The use of large-scale educational technologies in response to epidemics dates back to the time before the COVID 19 pandemic. For example, earlier historical encounters occurred after the SARS, H1N1 and Ebola epidemics – similar but perhaps not on the scale of COVID.
Over the past decade, colleges and universities have taken the initiative to integrate online distance learning into their curricula, changing the way they plan and design their campuses. The current rapid and accelerated adoption of e-learning and e-teaching is likely to lead to structural improvements that can help accelerate and improve e-learning platforms. So, can distance learning become the new normal? Read on to find out.
Strengths
The methods and processes of e-learning are truly solid. These strengths will save us from these difficult times. In reality, they learner-centered and offer flexibility in terms of time and location. E-learning methods allow teachers to adapt their procedures and processes to the needs of their students. Many online resources are available and are essential for an effective and efficient learning environment. This can help create a collaborative and engaging learning environment where students can receive real time information, ask questions and learn in interesting ways.
Technology offers innovative and resilient solutions to combat disruptions in times of crisis and helps people communicate and even work with virtually no personal interaction. This can create a cooperative and enjoyable environment where learners feel comfortable to ask questions, be authentic and study effectively. This leads to many systemic changes in organizations that use new technologies for interaction and work. The closure of schools and walking through crowded streets can create numerous problems, but at least e-learning will not deprive us of education.
Opportunities
E-learning in general offers numerous opportunities, but in this time of crisis, e-learning will experience an upswing as most academic institutions have switched to this model. During the Corona crisis, e-learning, remote working and electronic collaboration have exploded. Today, thanks to e-learning, academic institutions can take advantage of this opportunity by enabling their teachers to teach and their students to learn almost in a normal classroom setting. People have always been complacent and never truly experienced new learning techniques. This crisis will be a new e-learning process that will enable people to see the business benefits of e-learning technology.
Education technology companies are already doing their part by helping fight the pandemic and not letting learning stop. The use of e-learning would challenge both educators and learners. It will enhance the problem-solving skills, critical thinking and adaptability of students. Education technology start-ups have many opportunities to make transformative changes in almost every area of education, be it teaching, learning, training, assessment, achievement, qualifications, or diplomas. The growing appetite of consumers for e-learning also offers education technology start-ups an exciting opportunity to bring technological innovation to the education sector.
Problems Associated With Distance Learning
Online education has a range of tools available but they also pose a lot of difficulties. These challenges and problems associated with modern technology range from download errors to installation problems, authentication issues, audio and video problems. Online education is often perceived by students as boring and undemanding. E-learning is so time consuming and versatile that students rarely have the time to do it. Personal safety is also an important issue in e-learning. Students want mutual interaction, which is often difficult to implement. The learning cycle can only develop its full potential when students apply what they have learned.
Online content is sometimes completely abstract and does not allow students to practice and learn effectively. Poor course quality is also a major problem. According to students, the main barriers to online learning are the lack of community, technological challenges and difficulties in interpreting learning objectives. It was found that students are not sufficiently prepared to balance their professional, family and social life with their study life in an e-learning environment. This means students are not sufficiently prepared for certain e-learning and study skills. In addition, students are poorly trained in the use of learning management systems.
Possible Solutions To Problems Facing Distance Learning
There are a number of problems associated with online education, but in times of crisis like this we cannot ignore its benefits. We can still find solutions to these problems. Technical problems can be solved by recording the lessons on video, checking the content and always having a plan B ready so that the teaching and learning process cannot be interrupted. Online courses become different, interesting and interactive. Students can communicate with each other via social media and various community platforms. By continuously improving the level of the courses, teachers will strive to do their best. Online programs should be structured to be innovative, collaborative, relevant, student-centered and community oriented.
Distance Learning is the answer, as it is easier to reach students via email, video calls, and various messaging applications. Simply through distance learning students can complete some or all of their training work without physically having to visit a classroom on any campus. Educators must spend a lot of time on effective techniques for online counseling. Successful online tutorials encourage students to participate, ask questions, and allow them to expand their scope for course content. During the COVID-19 pandemic, large-scale, regional initiatives to leverage technology are growing and expanding rapidly in support of distance learning, distance education and online learning.
Final Thoughts
As pointed out by the World Economic Forum, the Covid-19 pandemic has altered the way most people receive and deliver education. Perhaps, this is the time to introduce the technology needed to find new solutions to the current problems. Teachers have become accustomed to traditional teaching methods in the form of face-to-face teaching and are therefore hesitant to accept changes. But in the midst of this crisis we have no choice but to adapt to the dynamic situation and accept change. The education sector will benefit from this and can bring many surprising innovations.
