The Benefits Of Online Learning During The Pandemic
As wise people say, ‘Live and learn’. Learning is an important part of our lives, which allows improving skills, get new knowledge, and realize almost any idea. The pandemic that came in 2020 made more people think about their occupations and prospects. More of them decided to get new education or complete certain courses to change their lives forever. Besides, many universities and other educational organizations had to find an alternative to traditional studies. Let’s speak about the importance and main advantages of online learning in terms of Covid-19.
The Issue of Online Learning
Just a few years ago, the attitude towards education was different. However, today, the majority of people prefer learning via the Internet instead of attending class. It wasn’t a momentary shift. The changes leading to the wide distribution of online studies were gradual and started much earlier than Covid-19. And if before the pandemic, just certain aspects of online education were used, the brunt of the Coronavirus made people deeper integrate Internet technologies into the educational process.
Speaking about online learning in general, it has many advantages, which make it attractive for both teachers and students:
- A wider range of programs can be available on the Internet
- It’s possible to study from any possible place and usually at any comfortable time
- It’s more affordable compared to conventional studies (there’s no need to attend a class, there’re many free courses, scholarships are often granted, etc.)
- It’s easier to have a more customized learning experience due to smaller groups of students.
Online Education During the Pandemic
Covid-19 made the development of online learning a necessity, not a caprice. A total lockdown made millions of people stay at home, so many of them lost their jobs and were not able to get an education.
Speaking about students (at universities, schools, etc.), the advantages of online studies are obvious to them:
- Safety. While dozens of people died from Coronavirus every day, parents could be more or less calm for the health and well-being of their kids. Thanks to an opportunity to learn from home, the risks of getting sick were minimal.
- An individual rhythm of studies. While in class students should try their best in order not to lag behind, online education is different. There’s enough time to understand the material and practice. As a result, the grades might become better.
- Better evaluation of learning. Tutors have more time to concentrate on the work of every student and make a deeper analysis. As a result, the general assessment becomes more effective.
- Time management. While with conventional studies, students have to spend much time in class (and even on their way to class); the situation with online learning is different. There’s no need to go anywhere, so students can manage their time the way they consider right.
- Monitoring of activity. For teachers, it’s sometimes hard to control every single student and monitor the activity. Thanks to online studies, which presuppose the use of computers and other IT technologies, teachers got a chance to see the activity of every single student and control it.
Everything is more or less clear with school and university students and their studies during the pandemic. However, Covid-19 made many other categories of people think about online learning. Many adults (even with higher education) decided to learn something new. We can define a few reasons for such a situation:
- Loss of job. Due to a total lockdown, many organizations, factories, and companies had to suspend their activities. As a result, people had to sit at home and look for any sources of income to make their living (only some of them could work remotely). Online education became a way out because people got a chance to get new knowledge and skills and try themselves in new occupations (while many modern jobs can be fulfilled online).
- Little or no time outside. Even when you have a job and can work from home, you still feel lonely and need to have something (besides the job and home) as a breath of fresh air. Some people started playing at Internet casinos such as Casiqo, while others decided to learn a new profession. As a result, many people developed an exciting hobby and even an additional income, which made their lives more diverse even during the pandemic.
- Lack of communication. In everyday life, when there’s no pandemic, we work, attend the gym, eat in cafes, and do many other things. As a result, we can meet new people, communicate with them, and exchange energy. Due to Covid-19, it became impossible. The only possible pastime was to sit and stare at a monitor. While some people found new hobbies, others decided to try online courses to develop and find new connections. In fact, such a decision led many people to the development of their careers. Besides, it allowed them to find new friends and even more.
The Effectiveness of Online Studies
Many people are not sure about the effectiveness of online learning. However, everything depends on the person. Studies via the Internet can be as effective as traditional learning. The only difference is that the students need access to the technologies. According to the Research Institute of America, online learners are able to retain 30-60% of what they learn. Compared to them, conventional learners can retain only about 10%.
Besides, the studies show that online students are able to cover 5 times more material than in class while spending the same amount of time. The key reason for such productivity is that Internet learners have an opportunity to revise certain topics and concepts at a comfortable time to understand them better.
Covid-19 started a new era in both education and work. More universities started to develop online courses and invite people to sign up. At the same time, more jobs became available for remote workers, which is also a significant step toward the future.