Will Online Classes Become a Norm After the Covid-19 Pandemic?

Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic rolled out last year, it has changed the dynamics of our everyday life. This new global phenomenon has closed down the entire world. States have closed offices, businesses, and all of the educational institutions bringing a halt to the day to day activities. Since there is no available cure yet, we are still in the process of adjusting to this newly formed world. Covid-19 has disrupted the workings of the entire world, but we are going to address one aspect of it that is education. The coronavirus pandemic has affected the education sector the most. It has shut down the traditional form of learning and has forced us to adopt other alternatives. It has gone to such an extent that students are searching, where can I find someone who will do my online course for me? The situation is real.

Technology to the Rescue

We are living in new times. Thanks to technological advancement, we now have the tools to manage and provide useful and workable models to counteract the problems posed by this pandemic. If we were living prior to these technological advancements, we would be on a whole another level of problems. The internet has provided us with a mean to continue our work, our education, and our businesses. States weren’t late in realizing the potential of this phenomenon. As a result, industries shifted online, and education is one of those.

We have now shifted, or more precisely adopted the online education setting. Though, online education is not a new phenomenon however the coronavirus pandemic has provided a significant increase to it. The traditional form of learning has now adopted the setting of an online one. Students that used to attend their classes physically are now being told to take online classes. This shift at one hand can be characterized as lifesaving in the face of this pandemic. However, at the other, it comes with its own set of problems that we need to address.

In this article, we are going to address one question that is stuck in all of our minds, will online classes become a norm after the covid-19 pandemic? Let’s get to its potential and challenges.

Potential:

Online classes have provided students with a solution where nothing seemed to provide one. It has provided students with an opportunity to continue their classes and proceed with their education. School, colleges, and universities have easily adopted the online education setting. It has solved the problem that is the coronavirus pandemic. With online classes, students can continue their academic career and progress, even in the tough times that we are living in. The potential of online learning are many, let’s discuss some of it.

Convenient Mode of Learning 

What’s better than taking your class from the comfort of your home? Yes, that is exactly what online classes are here to provide you. Students that are stuck at their homes due to the ongoing pandemic can easily continue their classes from the comfort of their homes. Everyone uses a smartphone nowadays. If you are a student, you can easily take your online classes with a tap of your finger. The potential of this method is not only beneficial in the time of a pandemic but also provides convenience to students that are working.

Most students work part-time in order to sustain a livelihood. The economy is tough, and in the time of this deadly virus, the situation has worsened. Online learning, in this case, is providing students with the opportunity to earn and continue their learning side by side.

Transcends Geographical Boundaries

Keeping in mind the coronavirus pandemic and in general, online learning has the potential to enhance the learning experience. Traditional classes are only confined to the physical space that it occupies. Students that are used to traditional physical classes are not used to the settings of an online class. However, online classes can transcend geographical boundaries of countries. Students that are living abroad can easily take online classes if they have a solid internet connection. This comes off as a revolution in the education sector bringing students with a platform where they can continue their education via online learning.

Even though the pandemic is still in the works, the aftermath can already be seen and predicted. And we are not talking about the bad ones either. Due to the virus, educational institutions are now recognizing the hidden potential of online learning. More and more courses and degree opportunities are now being rolled out as an alternative for students that need them.

Challenges:

However, a coin has two sides. Where light shines on one side of the coin, the shadow follows the other. Similarly, online learning has its downsides too. Since we are still trying to fully adjust to this new academic setting, we don’t know the rules. Miscommunication, bad connections, and other issues pose a significant threat to a smooth educational learning flow. As a society, we need to address this issue. We haven’t found the cure yet, and projections are, we need to get ourselves adjusted to this new way of living. We can’t wait for things to go back to normal. We need immediate action. There are many issues to address here, let’s look at some of them.  

Students Are Leaving 

One immediate problem that has struck in the online learning education is students are leaving their online classes. No matter if they are enrolled in an online course, or completing their degree, online classes are unable to keep their students. There is a lack of engagement from the students’ part. We can break this down in two parts.

First, teachers don’t know the rules of online learning. They need to understand that it differs greatly from what students are used to. Online learning can easily enhance the feeling of isolation. Educational institutions need to address this issue. The communication needs to be a two-way road.

Proper Training of Teachers

This makes us come to our next point. The issue of proper training of teachers. Not all teachers are tech-educated and most of them will find it hard to adjust to the young technology. Proper facilities and ease of access with regards to the proper education of teachers are necessary. Teachers need to realize that the trends of online learning are different compared to traditional learning. Since there is no face to face communication, it becomes rather difficult to communicate your thoughts. In this case, the academic matter.

Moreover, teachers need to make it engaging. They need to make sure they engage their students with impeccable academic content. Ask questions, and create a healthy discussion in the online classes.

Conclusion

There are many other issues like internet connectivity. Students that are taking an online course are searching, do my online course for me. They are forced at the hands of poor internet connection. Not every student can enjoy the luxury of having a solid network connection. In a nutshell, online learning has its pros and cons. We have a long way to go in adjusting properly to the workings of online learning. However, it is important to note that in a pandemic situation, online learning has proven to be a blessing in disguise.