What is Online Education?

Simply put Online education refers to a method of carrying out teaching and
learning processes through technology. Students and teachers make use of
internet technology to experience learning opportunities outside the vicinity of a
traditional classroom. Students and teachers interact with each other through
options like virtual classes/sessions, Chabot’s, emailing, messaging, etc.
We all know that the pandemic has given a boost to the e-learning market. But do
you know the exact growth rate of this market in India?
Before we discuss more about online education advantages and disadvantages,
here’s a look at some quick facts about the growth of the e-learning market in
India:
How Does Online Education Work?
Online study is conducted through a Learning Management System (LMS).
Students log in and access the dashboard to find the course content which is
generally in the format of modules, further divided into lessons. They also have
the option to connect with the teachers, join a virtual session, chat with
peers/teachers, etc. through the dashboard. Some online schools have also gone
miles ahead with mobile applications, a fixed number of online classes, and ‘on-
request’ educator support, etc. for an enhanced experience.
Like traditional education, this modern education medium too requires
coursework completion within the defined deadlines. Students need to complete
and upload their assignments, post which the teachers share their feedback. In a
100% virtual learning environment assignments are also conducted virtually. All
the details of the student’s performance (assignments, post-lesson tests,
assessments, etc.) are recorded within the LMS.
This information is collated and used to gauge the effectiveness of the teaching
and learning processes. And even to plan a remedial action for the identified
learning gaps. Some platforms allow offline assignments, while others can stick to
completely online formats.
Moving on to virtual classes now!
Virtual Classes
Technology-driven virtual classes are an imperative part of an online learning
center. These sessions/classes are conducted by trained educators who connect
with the students for doubt-clearing, knowledge-sharing, collaborative activities,
skill-building, etc. In the simplest terms, these classes are for real-time
interactions and often have a predefined schedule. These synchronous learning
opportunities allow students to be part of discussions and engage in socializing
with their peers without visiting any physical campus.
These virtual classes can have their own set of advantages such as safety, and
better quality interactions. In fact, research also proves that students retain 25-
60% more material while learning online.
Online Education Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages of Online Education
Inclusivity – Many times students with special needs are overlooked in policies.
But with a massive population of almost 240 million disabled children in the
world, inclusivity is certainly a big concern across the globe. Like distance
learning, online study too benefits disabled students immensely. It helps them to
develop skills by eliminating all barriers to learning.
Better Accessibility and teacher quality- With only a stable internet connection,
and a device, an online school can bring the best quality educational content right
to the doorstep of a student. In a country like India, where 65% of the population
resides in rural areas, accessibility is a huge problem. Digital learning also resolves
the problems of teacher quality (such as accountability, untrained, absenteeism,
poor knowledge of appropriate pedagogies, etc.).
Flexibility and pacing options- The Merits of Online Classes also include the
freedom to plan, create, design, or follow any study pattern as per one’s lifestyle
or preference. This importance of online education empowers students to spend
more or less time on a topic as per their individual need. they do not have any
compulsion to match the pace of any other student, unlike a regular classroom.
Disadvantages of Online Education
Dependence on technology– Digital divide, internet literacy, and the availability of
a supported device are barriers to this medium. India ranked 73 out of 120
countries in internet literacy. And reports revealed that 50% of our population
had no access to the internet. Despite the alarming state, Indian policymakers
have found a way to work on these issues. Our government has created some
great action plans to curb the digital divide. And initiatives like ‘National Digital
Literacy Mission’, ‘Digital Saksharta Abhiyan’ and ‘Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital
Saksharta Abhiyan’ etc. (By Niti Aayog) are already targeting a huge fraction of the
Indian population (more than 6 crores).
Distractions– Another flip side of an online learning center is that a student can
easily get distracted. While some educationalists like to believe this fact, it is still
debatable. In a virtual learning environment, a student’s motivation, monitoring,
and engagement are subject to many factors. In fact, some online education
platforms have challenged this belief and proved it as a myth. Reports have
proved that 85% of students who had enrolled in both traditional and virtual
learning institutions found the latter either the same or better than classroom
learning.
Conclusion of online education:
As a developing nation, India has its own set of challenges and advantages with
online learning. However, this shift in the educational landscape is a perfect
answer to numerous unresolved issues within the Indian education sector. Our
government initiatives are all set to create a roadmap of success for Indian
students. Let’s do our bit and drive the change that we desire to see in the
upcoming years of this DIGITAL AGE!