ONLINE CLASSES – THE NEW NORMAL

The use of technology in education is not new. The pandemic has only made it more pervasive and acceptable. In the wake of the lockdown last year in 2020, educational institutions across the world had to shift classes online and incorporate digital learning and assessment techniques into the curriculum.

ONLINE CLASS

Online classes are a combination of VIDEO RECORDINGS and LIVE LECTURES with COURSE READING and TESTS. An online course is a course conducted over the internet. They are generally conducted through a learning management system, in which students can view their course syllabus and academic progress, as well as communicate with fellow students and their course instructor.

LEARN BY DOING:

In India, most brick-and-mortar schools weren’t prepared for a sudden change that required them to alter their learning practices overnight. Nevertheless, over the course of a year, they have learned to use the technology more proactively.

 The pandemic has highlighted the importance of digitization throughout the country and flipped classroom teaching to online learning. In the lockdown, it emerged as a panacea for maintaining momentum as all you needed was a computer, a tablet, or a smartphone.

The term blended has been increasingly heard as life returns to normal and educational institutions are opening up. An amalgamation of two training environments high-tech digital learning and traditional face-to-face learning. 

We have something for every kind of learner – students who prefer face-to-face instruction with an educator and independent students as well as those who prefer to use digital tools and leverage technology.

Critics say “This type of learning allows students to get the best of both worlds; while the traditional way of learning offers an advantage of quick, on-the-spot feedback, online learning facilities personalized, self-paced learning while mastering each topic.”

ONLINE vs OFFLINE:

It is all about striking a balance between learning with technology, using technology as a tool, and thinking of it as a partnership with learning face-to-face. In order to ensure that blended learning works well, the aim should be to combine the strengths of both environments in a way that is suitable for a student’s demand.

The biggest benefit is that this can be modified as per individual requirements. Students develop better learning techniques, allowing them to thoughtfully deliberate on concepts and understand them thoroughly.

“The leveraging of technologies such as artificial learning, machine learning, and virtual reality makes learning an immersive and engaging experience. And the theoretical lessons can be supplemented with project work, internships, workshops, and webinars along with extra-curricular activities to ensure holistic learning,”

CONCLUSION:

Online learning is beneficial to the students, tutors, and the institution offering these courses. I would therefore recommend that online learning be implemented in all learning institutions and research on how to improve this learning process should be carried out. 

While the education sector is still a long way from being fully digitized, the lockdown is leading us in the right direction. In order to make blended learning more effective, educational institutions can hold boot camps for families and students. Students can self-manage their time online, try not to be seated in one place all the time, and create a learning space for themselves.