Cultus
“Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.” This quote was written by the famous Italian philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli and can be used to comprehensively describe the modern education system. Let’s find out why?
This blog will try to cover all your doubts regarding online learning and the reasons why online learning can be the future of education. Who thought that we would be able to communicate with a person sitting miles away from us before the invention of the telephone in 1879? However, you would love to hear that the invention of the telephone was not the first thing, but it gradually developed in a phased manner. Well, we are here to discuss the transformation in education, especially in the context of technology.
Have you ever thought of a statement that describes education entirely? Of course, there are no references to validate the definition of education as it varies depending on the culture and civilization. However, in this context, the words of John Dewey, an American educational reformer, fit better than anything else. He described education as a social process and indicator of growth for society. Also, education is not confined to preparing oneself for the upcoming life. Instead, ‘education is life itself.’
Apparently, with the advent of information and communication technology, the traditional methods have been replaced with the modern-day methods like eLearning software, Learning management systems (LMS), Virtual reality, School management systems, Virtual laboratories, 3-D printing, and Mobile learning. So, if you feel that online education may not fit into the minds of today’s generation, then you must read this blog further.
Is online learning the future of education?
Online learning is an umbrella phrase that refers to the concept of e-learning, where students get access to a learning system that is free from the boundaries of a physical classroom. It involves the instructions given in the form of online video lectures and uses diverse types of media formats to highlight informative content for a better learning atmosphere. However, if we consider the benefits of e-learning, they are countless. We have explained some of the many advantages of online learning practices in this blog segment. Eventually, you will also come across some interesting facts about why online education can be the destiny of learning. Is it really possible to replace traditional education with an online one? Let us find out.
- Online learning and Flexibility
What will be your take when I say that online learning does not mandate you to attend classes at a fixed schedule, and you are free to show up for the class according to your flexibility? Online learning has changed the dynamics of instructional education to the values that promote self-learning. It offers flexibility in terms of location, preferences, courses, and timings. However, online classes also allow you to prefer your own space where you can feel comfortable in terms of the learning environment. Another aspect of considering e-learning as the future is hidden in the age factor, which is still considered a taboo in our society. Age doesn’t count when it comes to education, and indeed, you can join the online courses at any time you want to upgrade your career or enhance your skills, even without going to the university.
2. Accessibility offered by online learning tools
Image Source: Photo by Vlada Karpovich: https://www.pexels.com/photo/young-lady-typing-on-keyboard-of-laptop-in-living-room-4050315/
Traditional education was confined to the political, social, economic, and geographical frontiers. However, e-learning has made information and education accessible at the grassroots level. The percolation of ideas would not be that effortless without the advent of online learning tools. Acc. to the United Nations report, there were four million refugee children in 2017 who did not get access to classroom programs. But we have even better options now. The technologies like virtual classrooms, online communication tools, remote teaching tools, online whiteboards, document management tools, different social media channels, and work planning tools have provided an additional edge to this dimension of academics. Having such technologies at work, you can never doubt the potential of a course that offers comprehensive learning environments irrespective of your location. Don’t you think that such a level of freedom, along with quality educational practices, is capable of pulling an individual into learning?
3. Customized training experience and e-learning
E-learning provides additional focus on the interests and choices of an individual rather than devoting time to non-essential elements. Also known as personalized learning, it focuses on the factors that try to produce segments that are expressly associated with the learner’s interests, skills, and abilities. It provides students with options to set their individual goals, refine focus areas, build direct communication with the instructors, and discover their interests. However, there are numerous ways by which you can understand how to personalize your educational goals, like competency-based progressions, personalized learning paths, as well as tracking your motivation, goals, and progress. Still, the e-Learning programs provide adequate focus and opportunities for implementing models like authentic learning, community-based learning, blended learning, and project-based learning for preparing a customized plan for students.
4. Progressive learning methodologies in e-learning
Remember the quote we used above of John Dewey; he supported traditional as well as progressive education. According to the educational reformist, the traditional education methods focus more on curriculum, legacy, and instructional type of teaching. In contrast, modern education tries to pull the strings of students’ interest and inculcate self-learning skills among them. As discussed above, the benefits of online learning like flexibility, personalized learning options, and accessibility promotes the same view of progressive learning. Online learning involves methods like synchronous and asynchronous online courses, hybrid courses, varied multimedia resources, and continuity, making it distinguishable from traditional learning. You can easily upload and complete the projects, assignments, coursework, and interactive case studies within the due time frame. Various online and interactive platforms on the internet can also allow students to interact with the best assignment helper and create attractive presentations and videos to boost their academic learning.
Education for all SDG 4, i.e., ‘Quality education.’
Image Source: Photo by Prado on Unsplash
The sustainable development goals (SDG) report 2021 states that the primary school infrastructure in the least developed countries (LDCs) is lacking in many aspects essential to facilitate quality education. 56% of schools lack drinking water facilities, and 33% lack proper electricity. Also, the stats indicate that a considerable number of students (~ 260 million) in 2008 were not enrolled in any educational institutes. It is not that the traditional educational approach is a complete failure. Still, online learning can assist policymakers in exploring the hidden potential of technology in decreasing the overall dropout rates among students. After the COVID episode, global education has suffered a major reversal, and online learning platforms emerged as game-changers, especially when it comes to higher education courses.
Way forward:
“Lessons from Today, Principles for Tomorrow”: World Bank.
The theme of the World Bank report, ‘Remote Learning During the Global School Lockdown: Multi-Country Lessons,’ can be referred to while writing winding comments for this blog. Along with the evolution of information and technology, modern-day education has also encountered a gradual yet progressive change. Such transformations that directly challenge the traditional methods are not readily accepted by society. Every transformation brings a revolutionary change in society, and with billions of mobile users on the internet, online learning will gradually replace traditional techniques.
As per the facts discussed in the above sections of the blog, it is evident that education helps build a child’s true character. Opportunities in any manner must be appreciated, and online learning has provided us with an opportunity to make learning an effortless task for students living in remote locations. Creative tools and software available online have made learning a fun task for students. Get yourself enrolled in an online course and upgrade your skills, no matter how old you are.
Author: Roberto Macro