IS IT TIME TO CONSIDER ONLINE EDUCATION A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE FOR LEARNING?
When the Covid-19 situation first started and schools and other educational institutions had to be closed down, as a result, many students did not comprehend or realize yet that this period would stretch for months, without an expected end. Studies came to a halt, and eventually many of the institutions were forced to resort to online studies as a result. This was a big wake-up call for the traditional school system. Can students learn in a non-classroom environment? Are teachers necessary for the process of gaining education? Can students learn their interests without needing to go out of the house and simply in the comfort of their bedrooms?
Studying from home is not unheard of. Every year, instead of opting for universities or college campuses, many students decide to stay home and learn at their own pace, due to various factors. This method of studying has its own pros and cons- but it something that has come more in focus in recent times, making us ask some very important questions.
Is studying from home a beneficial educational method for the next generation? What are these pros and cons, and is the process anything like studying in an institutional environment at all?
Everyone will probably have different takes on this. The student community as a whole might have a different perspective on it than everyone else. But does the pros outweigh the challenges of studying from home, or it is something that has to be adapted, nevertheless if it is adaptable or not? Is the process worth it for those who willingly choose it rather than going off to a college or a university?
The truth might be, after all, a matter of perspective. But the pros of this method cannot be ignored, and it is being realized in more depth now that it has become necessary to adapt to such a means. The advantages of studying from home are many:
Staying Comfortable- The pros of studying from home are many, and the first and foremost is comfort. Studying from home is very different from studying in an institution. One can lie back and sip on a cup of coffee and still manage to study, or they can just save the lectures or the online sessions and get back to them later at their own convenience. The level of comfort is a big factor for those who do not appreciate the formality of being educated in a certain way and are lenient with the time they want to give to their course.
Cost-Effectiveness- The cost of studying from home is vastly lessen when compared to the institutions. Campus education also involves housing, food, or other utility money, while staying at home makes the former two almost free of cost, and even many of the utilities are provided for. When it comes to temporary online studies as in the case of the current pandemic, students can choose to opt for e-books and other internet resources rather than buying these things, and it helps the student in saving a lot of money.
No Age Restriction- Studying from home does not have to be limited to a certain age group. Anyone can learn anything at any age they want- they only need to have the necessary resources and enthusiasm. While much institutional training in India has certain age restrictions, online learning has emerged as a rapidly growing means of learning that does not put any limitation on the individual or the student and can be accessed at any time of their lives, and they can learn it at any pace they want to.
Accessibility- When someone wants to study a certain course or a discipline and it is not available in their vicinity, the individual is forced to move to another part of the city or country in order to learn what they want. Studying from home in an online environment has no such issues. Anyone can learn anything as long as it is available online. No one has to worry about moving away or settling to learn something they do not like, as long as they have a laptop in their possession and a decent internet connection.
While the pros are very appreciable, the method itself is not devoid of its challenges, which is why even today, the majority still choose the traditional way of learning instead of exploring online learning. From the need for an internet connection to the somewhat limited number of subjects to explore, here are the challenges that come with studying from home as a process:
Need for an Active Internet Connection- While many parts of India are connected to each other by the increasing reach of the internet, many parts of the country cannot yet access a decent internet connection, especially the rural and the under-developed village areas. This leads us to question whether online courses or studying from home are a long-term accessible method especially when it comes to a country like India.
Lesser impact due to no direct communication- One of the reasons why classrooms where built they way they were was to ensure that the teacher and the student(s) can communicate as much as needed in order to delve deeper into their subjects and develop a better understanding. This is not the case when it comes to studying from home. There is minuscule to almost no direct communication between the parties, and the student has to resort to their own way of understanding or their own methods when it comes to a topic or a subject in general.
Increased work hours- Studying from home courses generally require more assignments and more reading to be done as part of the course. This is a greater workload than in the institutional learning process. The students have to prove their efficiency without the supervision or the guidance of a teacher, or without a third party vouching for their mastering of the course materials. Therefore, students have to take it upon themselves to prove their efficiency in their designated course.
Since everyone has their individual opinions, it is upon the student to decide which one of the pros or the challenges weigh more or less for them. A study from home can a big advantage to most, but can also be limiting when it comes to certain factors. Today, it is not a method of learning that is foremost in the minds of students due to the advantages of the traditional methods of learning, but in the near future, they might start to see it as a more convenient method of learning, especially considering how widely it is being indulged in during the current pandemic situation.
So, ultimately the question arises whether online learning should be normalized and not just seen as a method of convenience during government lockdowns. Can online learning someday be regarded as a more convenient means of learning? The question may bring a lot to yet explore. Many students might even wonder why online teaching, with all its glaring advantages, is not yet very well recognized. Nevertheless, the lockdown has given everyone ample opportunity to explore things without the weight of their otherwise busy daily life.
Ootsuk is such an online platform that has been helping a lot of students expand their knowledge through simple yet fun activities. Students can explore as much as they want, learning more about themselves and the world around them. It is user-friendly and handcrafted for the young curious minds with questions that can change the world. Visit the website to start exploring:
