In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has changed in numerous ways. In fact, the education sector was hit drastically by the effects of the pandemic. Despite such a gloomy and alarming scenario, online learning, or eLearning, has emerged as a viable and effective alternative to help students continue their learning process from the comfort of their homes.
While the pandemic is winding down in many parts of the world, eLearning is likely here to stay. Here are seven reasons why online learning will remain in the future of comprehensive education.
1. It provides universal accessibility.
Online learning enables learning and teaching from anywhere in the world. The nature of eLearning is such that it provides the scope of accessing education at the convenience of the user. It helps learners save money spent on travelling to classrooms, which may be utilized elsewhere. A virtual classroom only requires a stable internet connection and any place of your choice. Therefore, eLearning eliminates physical as well as social barriers and promotes universal access to learning.
2. It is flexible and continuous.
The mobile nature of eLearning allows teachers and learners to decide their learning time and pace. It provides the choice of setting mutually beneficial schedules for the teachers and students. Flexibility is especially helpful for the students who have to work along with their education.
As we saw during the pandemic when schools and universities were shut down indefinitely, eLearning allows for continuous learning due to its flexible nature. Continuous learning fosters educational growth even in the most difficult times.
3. It offers a wide range of choices.
Due to the online nature of education, many universities and schools have come out with online courses on a vast array of disciplines. Various Learning Management Systems are also available to offer several courses and learning programs. All of this allows students to choose from a sizable pool of courses according to their interests. One can learn biological sciences along with learning to play the drums — that is the beauty of eLearning.
4. It gives learners the chance to customize their education.
Online learning adopts a learner-centric approach. This approach is learner-friendly and emphasizes a learner’s ability to grasp and their other requirements. With eLearning, learners have the freedom to choose the courses suitable to their needs and ability. In short, they can customize their learning experience according to their personal goals.
5. It allows for inclusivity.
Online learning differs from the traditional learning model because it provides options like adding closed captions, audio descriptions, and plenty of other convenient features. These features allow learners with special needs, like deaf or hard of hearing, or visually impaired learners have opportunities at par with the other learners. These opportunities did not exist as readily or at all before eLearning became a thing. Additionally, the cost-effectiveness of eLearning allows learners from economically weaker sections to access quality education. Inclusivity provided by eLearning presents an opportunity to cut through socio-economic barriers.
6. It leaves a scope for independence and time management.
Accessibility and flexibility provided by eLearning allow learners to manage their time better. Skills taught through eLearning are equally valuable to classroom courses, which enables learners to have independence and time-management at the same time.
7. It’s more cost effective.
Compared to traditional classroom learning, eLearning comes at a much cheaper cost, without compromising the quality of education. Many courses are even available for free on several top-university websites. It also helps save money spent on commuting to classes and back — making it even more economical on top of saving educational costs as is. Virtual Classroom Software can also be availed at minimal rates to aid the process of learning, as it provides various methods of learning right from video lectures to quizzes. It also allows for doubt resolution and real-time feedback from teachers. All of this is way more affordable than going to a physical classroom.
Online learning, or eLearning for short, provides a level playing field for everyone because of its accessibility, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, variety of choices, customized approach, inclusivity, and more. With the pandemic highlighting its usefulness, the future looks bright as ever for eLearning — it’s here to stay.
Photo by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels
Hi! Totally agree that the remote education format will stay with us even after the pandemic is over. However, I suppose it has not only the bright sides.
Online learning enables learning and teaching from anywhere in the world. The nature of eLearning is such that it provides the scope of accessing education at the convenience of the user.
Goood