The debate surrounding the merits of online learning has suddenly been hurled into the limelight, with increasing numbers of parents, learners, and institutes alike having to adapt to the extenuating circumstances brought about by the current CoVid19 crisis. The looming question is, was this change in mindset long overdue, given some of the clear advantages of online education.
Human beings are by nature resistant to change, and, accepting online learning as an equal to traditional forms of learning is no exception. Even the compelling evidence mounting up over the years hasn’t been able to convert the naysayers until now that is.
Several prestigious institutions the world over have been proactively developing and offering online courses (MOOCs) for a few years now. This trend begs the question, are institutes like MIT, Oxford, Harvard, Stanford, and IIT amongst many others simply out of their minds. The bottom line here should be whether or not online education offers quality, if so, why shouldn’t it be considered. Another valid argument in favour of this trend is the sheer accessibility and scalability of this type of education, making it common sense for developing and under-developed economies.
Undoubtedly this shift has been forced, and many of us don’t have any alternatives, however, is that a bad thing? The introduction of a more democratic form of learning where courses don’t have to adhere exclusively to a set syllabus and location might impact both the learning experience and effectiveness.
Let’s look at this objectively
Several studies have attempted to analyse the pros and cons of online education, here are some of the findings from one such study:
Sagheb Tehrani, Mehdi. (2008). The Results of Online Teaching: A Case Study. 25.
The questions posed by this study
What advantages and disadvantages do online courses feature?
Are online certificates as easily accepted as traditional ones?
How do learners view online courses compared to face to face courses?
Advantages of online learning
No physical location necessary — Being on the internet, a building or location isn’t necessary for the delivery of lectures
Lower cost — No physical location and other establishment costs make the course fees considerably less and making courses accessible to many
Additional income for the institute — A win-win situation for the institute which charges course fees for online students in addition to existing students
Attracts diverse learners — Learners from various backgrounds can enroll, including those working full time or part-time, differently-abled, and situated in any part of the world
Not severely affected by the weather/natural calamities — Natural calamities, weather patterns, and even pandemics need not hinder progress, the learning can continue from the confines of one’s home
Uses the latest information technology — Learners must stay abreast of and learn to use the latest information technology
Convenient — Learners need not start lessons while sleepy or not ready, they can start when they are ready and willing
Improved monitoring and data-driven analysis — Facilitators/lecturers or teachers can monitor learners progress with considerable ease and analyse their grasp of the concepts and overall performance, putting into place individual plans for improvement, all this done through the software in use
Self-paced — The self-paced delivery of online courses means that learners’ experience truly ‘flexible learning’, taking breaks when they want to, completing assignments and taking lectures when it is suitable, making the learning experience much more learner-friendly
Disadvantages of online learning
Face to face interaction missing — Doubt clearing and discussions are thought to be lacking in online courses. Verbal and presentation skills central to the workplace are also not possible through a computer
Difficult to impart complex concepts — Some concepts are thought to be difficult to explain through an online platform
Feedback issues — Feedback is lacking and can be ambiguous or subject to misinterpretation, verbal and comprehensive feedback should include feelings, emotions, and gestures, usually missing in machine-based feedback
Interruption — Learning in the home environment can be full of distractions, not commonplace in a classroom or lecture theatre setting
Technology hiccups — Any hardware, software, or network problems can disrupt the learning process.
Diminishing disadvantages?
Have there been improvements and are the above-mentioned disadvantages now less inhibiting?
Keeping in mind that the computing technology (hardware, software, networking, and other information technology) has evolved extensively since this report was published, we can say with confidence that many of the limitations experienced at that time have since been eradicated.
Face to face interaction missing: Advances in video conferencing technology and its accessibility and affordability have made interaction between peers, and instructors and peers, much easier making for improved interaction. Furthermore, presentations can now be delivered online, providing learners with an added skill, which is now, of value to, and being used in, organisations and institutions across the world.
Complex concepts: Using advanced content development tools, approaches, and delivery methods, seemingly difficult concepts can now be imparted to learners.
Feedback issues: Feedback is now much more comprehensive online, with emojis, stickers, and the many improvements in video conference technology mentioned above. There is however more room for improvement here.
Interruption: This is a factor that has unfortunately remained more or less the same, wherein people learning within the home environment or any other informal setting are more likely to get distracted by anything ranging from a crying infant, an over-affectionate spouse to an excitable canine companion. However, there are guides, tips, and even counselling sessions available for those who want to master the activity of working from home.
Technology issues: Although issues surrounding technology are still possible, they are much less likely to happen, the hardware is much more capable today, the software, much less prone to crashing and viruses (no pun intended), and networks today are much better.
Are online certificates as easily accepted as traditional ones?
Provided the institute awarding the certificate is accepted, there isn’t a vast difference in perception, and any doubts can be cleared up by simply calling the concerned institute and enquiring about the holder of the certificate or qualification to verify its authenticity or confirm any additional information about the learner. With lesser-known institutes, reviews of the institute's performance and status are available. In conclusion, it may be stated that any institute not subject to audits by recognised educational standards bureaus or corporate bodies, or unable to provide positive reviews from credible learners who have taken the course should be avoided.
How do learners view online courses compared to face to face courses?
With more courses being offered by credible institutes and increasing numbers of organisations taking on and recognising learners with online certificates, the stigma associated with online courses in the past is slowly but surely being eliminated. The important thing to consider here is whether the learner is able to utilise or apply what they have learnt. It is also important to take into account that not all learners can afford a full university degree and that these additional learners can now add to the talent pool available to organisations.
Conclusion
What is the takeaway from all this?
Observation often provides us with concrete evidence to support or dismiss any argument and helps us to form opinions, here are a few observations I have made, mostly reactions and statements I have come across, made by parents, educators and learners coping with the unexpected shift from traditional to online forms of learning. I hope that these observations help you to make a well informed and clear decision about online learning.
“Kids message each other all day anyway, it would be nice to know that they were messaging each other about classwork from time to time, in between the riveting discussions about the latest YouTube video and the new girl in class with the walloping teeth and shiny braces.” (an educator, and mother working from home)
“They’re on those things all day, anyway, let us hope they’ll put their gadgets to some use.” (a concerned father)
“At least in school we didn’t have to physically make a lesson plan before every class, now we have to submit one before every lesson and tally the learning objectives to them, to show the administration we’re doing our jobs right, how much more work do they want us to do?” (a teacher unable to adapt and suffering from stress)
“Its so much easier to monitor students’ progress like this, its like I’ve got eyes in the back of my head. I’ll definitely be continuing this method of analysis long after the pandemic.” (a teacher adapting and thriving)
“I’m experiencing a newfound interest for physics since the classes have gone online, Mr. — -, isn’t breathing down my neck all day and I am able to understand the topics because I can cross-search anything I don’t understand, online, where unlike my textbook things are explained using moving diagrams and cool videos. Now I’m finally able to answer the questions.” (a learner benefiting from the self-paced and self-driven approach)
“I’m doing my lessons online, but I’m not able to finish a single class without being distracted, either my phone is going off, my little sister is being a pest, or my mum wants me to do some errand. To top it all off, Netflix keeps advertising Stranger Things season three.” (a learner unable to concentrate due to distractions in the home environment)
“I’m so happy that — — — — is looking things up on her own, something she’s never done before. Most of the teachers in her school would just furnish readymade notes and circle the questions to be tackled from the syllabus, which is what they are continuing to do online now. How is online learning better? Its good to see that — — — — is looking up things from other websites and sources and able to grasp the concepts, I mean she’s doing really well on her tests.” (a concerned mother)
“I’m a little annoyed with the online learning modules, I’m unable to help my son do his project work as the sessions are all live and I can't write his reports or answer the questions for him. I can’t wait for things to go back to normal, all his coursework grades are dwindling thanks to this online nonsense.” (a concerned parent)
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