Online Education And Its Challenges

ONLINE EDUCATION AND ITS CHALLENGES

As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention, I would like to start with highly positive and equally practical note that adversities also bring opportunities to rise above the occasion. Yes, online education is one such opportunity in today’s pandemic situation raised due to corona virus outbreak. Of course, it has some inherent challenges but we have no other option than to overcome the hurdles.

The first and primary challenge of the online learning is acceptability and adaptability. Students are facing the challenges of unexpectedly switching to online classes due to the present pandemic situation. However, as we know “Nothing is permanent except the change”. So, we have to change according to the need of the hour in order to break the inertia and come out of the comfort zone to meet the challenge. We have to adapt the technology and changed environment to get best out of the available and counsel our children to adapt in the changed environment.  Some of the other challenges of online education are: Availability of proper infrastructure at home including android/smart phone, desktop/laptop/Access to internet /Reliable internet connection etc are prerequisites of the online learning.  So, we have to arrange for these as per the needs. Computer literacy is also a challenge for online education but today we have no other alternative than to get acquainted with it. A major lacuna in online learning mode is lack of collaborative and interactive learning.

Human connects is very important factor in the process of learning and it is missing in the online learning. Online Education can’t replace vibrancy of the school campus. It can’t replace the personal touch and warmth of a teacher. It can’t replace learning from the extracurricular activities done in the school. It also lacks opportunities for hands-on learning in complex subject such as mathematics and science. However, it can be overcome by one or other tools like questionnaires, quiz, academic gaming, video clips etc.Another drawback is that teacher does not know whether the children are attentive during the online class or not.  Here comes the role of parents to motivate children and counsel them for being self disciplined. While learning online, there is a possibility of distractions due to various reasons. So, other family members should co operate, rearrange schedules wherever feasible so as to have a least disturbance to our children. Excessive screen time may be harmful for the health.

There are some exclusive benefits of online education over formal schooling too. Flexibility of time and place is a boon in today’s environment where we are forced to live in isolation. Best education from any corner can be availed sitting in our home on the online platform. Recorded lectures can help students to learn better by revisiting the missed point again. Latest information is available on online mode on finger tips.

So, in nutshell we can sum up that online education can’t replace human touch of the institutional schools. It has its own limitations and challenges too. But, in the present constrained pandemic environment of COVID-19, it’s one of the best alternatives to run the show. So, we must accept the challenges of the online atmosphere and move on. It can also be used as an enabler to the formal schooling even after the normalcy is restored.