When it comes to online learning, opinions and impressions can be quite different. Some would give it all to return to classrooms, while others swear by this new educational method.
The best way to objectively assess the effects of online education is to observe its advantages and disadvantages. So, let’s revise the main pros and cons of online education.
Pro: Accessibility
Geographical boundaries present no obstacle in online learning. What this means for schools and educational institutions is that they can invite the best educators from across the world. They get to choose the most qualified teachers regardless of their place of residence.
Students also benefit from the lack of geographic limitations, as they can access classes from anywhere. Course attendants can learn at their own time and place. Not to mention that online learning gave anyone access to classes at prestigious universities such as Harvard, Oxford, and so on.
Pro: Diversified Teaching and Learning Material
The success of online learning lies in the possibility to employ different materials to engage students. Educators can easily include videos, podcasts, and online games in their lesson plans. Whether they want to include a quiz or need essays reviews to find the best essay service, the solution is a few clicks away. The variety can help teachers retain students’ attention. It can also help students memorize the information faster as they are more involved in the lessons.
The increased number of online learners motivates app creators to come up with new learning platforms. What this means for educators and students is that they can continually surface and introduce new online materials to make the lessons more fun.
Pro: Suitable for Different Learning Styles
Learning is most efficient when students can study in the form that suits their style of learning. Online education allows every student to approach learning in their own way. For example, visual learners can use videos and graphs, while auditory learners can listen to podcasts or play the lesson several times.
Certain schools have already taken advantage of this possibility. Concordia University, for example, allows students to download lessons in various forms. Learners can choose whether they’ll study from an e-book, BeeLine Reader, electronic braille, or listening to audio.
Con: Too Much Screen Time
In online learning, everything takes place on the computer. Educators use computers to teach, prepare lessons, and grade papers while learners study on them, watch lessons, and prepare presentations. With the computer being the pivotal element, teachers and students can spend too much time looking at the screen.
Besides having a tough time focusing, too much screen can have many negative side effects. The consequences can include eye strain, chronic neck and back problems, loss of cognitive ability, sleep deprivation, and even delayed learning in young children. Limiting screen time is thus necessary to avoid such health issues.
Con: Lack of Socialization
As the name suggests, distance learning creates a physical as well as a social distance between the learners and educators. Minimal physical interaction can lead to a sense of isolation. As a consequence, students’ social skills can deprive and the feeling of isolation can even lead to depression.
To minimize the potential negative effects, educators should encourage communication. They can employ messaging, video conferencing, and face-to-face interaction when possible.
Con: More Self-Dependence
Learners who don’t have strong organizational and time-management skills can have a hard time adjusting to online learning. Students need to limit distractions, organize their learning schedule, and plan study sessions on their own. This can be especially tough on learners with flexible learning schedules.
What can help with these challenges are online tools. Students can use focus apps to block distractions and an essay writing services review to speed up their search for essay writing services. The digital community provides many solutions and students can take advantage of them.
Conclusion
Is online education a necessary step towards progress, or is it a more challenging form of teaching and learning that alienates students and teachers? Hopefully, these pros and cons have given you a better perspective. We should also keep in mind that we can expect further improvements as online learning becomes more present.
Barbara Fielder is an educational blogger, academic writer, and editor. She has vast experience in the education industry. Barbara is an ambitious content creator with a passion for innovation. Besides writing, she enjoys reading and jogging.
