By Sahr Ahmed
Online education has become a new normal for learners and has brought significant changes to education systems worldwide due to challenges such as the current pandemic. The environment has offered students and educators the opportunity to continue their education while doing so flexibly when it comes to new technologies. Nevertheless, the outcomes of remote learning and, more generally, the application of a hybrid learning model, still poses a question mark. Here in this blog, I will briefly explain the merits and demerits of these models and try to predict where education is headed.
Pros of Remote Learning
Flexibility and Convenience
Learning can easily be done anywhere, anytime. From their doors, they can learn from anywhere at any one time which has opened up opportunities for learners. Unlike the first model, this one is suitable for those eager to combine capitalized language studies with other activities, for example, work or family. Flexibility is a big plus since a student can tailor their learning according to his/her convenience and review any material as often as they wish.
2. Access to Diverse Resources
Vast material resources with the provision of remote learning, all resources from around the world can be obtained easily. Lectures can be watched, lecture notes from all over the world, and participate in forums with other students. It facilitates self-schooling by students and grants chances for persons who could hardly pursue normal learning.
3. Cost-Effective Education
Online and hybrid learning systems are commonly cheaper than conventional learning systems. Students eliminate costs of traveling, accommodation, and other relevant costs associated with the institution. On the other hand, schools can withstand some of the costs of infrastructure. Such costs are less for the overhead in remote learning, and this makes such an approach more affordable for many.
4. Teaching Technology Skills for Development Aimed at Remote Learning
The use of technological tools in the educational process has been stimulated. Students learn to interact virtually using video conferencing, collaborate effectively using a range of collaborative tools, and navigate learning management systems. All these are vital skills prevalent in today’s growing technological world, making the administration’s provision of remote education useful in nurturing career foundations.
Cons of Remote Learning
Lack of Social Relations
As much as people would like to continue with their education, remote learning has been described as having a major demerit in that people spend minimal time outside their homes interacting with other people. Students are also able to attend classes virtually and participate in collaborative work as well as group discussions which foster the production of communication and teamwork skills that are learned in traditional classrooms. However, the outcome of remote learning is that learners do not directly interact physically hence their social and emotional development is bound to suffer in the long run.
Technology Unequitable:
While it may be a given that students use internet-enabled gadgets to get their lessons, not all learners can rely on these gadgets. This creates what is known as the ’digital divide’ that widens the gap in education leading to opportunity and this leaves behind many students who attend school in the less privileged areas. In the absence of solid infrastructure, remote learning will give rise to ‘technological haves ‘and ‘technological have-nots’ thus increasing the existing inequalities.
Interference and Non-Participation
In other students’ cases, home surroundings might be extremely unproductive with many distractions that lead to exclusion during the online lessons. Another factor that will be challenging with students not having a class setting is that most students lack self-discipline hence time for learning will not be well managed hence producing low performance. Participation in remote learning involves more commitment to learning, as well as several directions that may not be suitable for learners of a young age.
Teacher Burnout
Due to the in-person and online teaching systems adopting a -hybrid learning model teachers are overworked. Educators are required to prepare two lesson plans for their online and face-to-face classes; this is a burden in teacher practice. This can lead to burnout and the general quality of teaching will be affected.
Remote and Hybrid Learning in the Future
The future of education will possibly comprise both face-to-face and online classes to ensure that students get an opportunity to have flexibility together with social interaction. An implication of these findings for schools will therefore be to focus on enhancing the availability of technology for teaching and learning, and support for students and teachers.
To get the most out of remote and hybrid learning educational institutions will have to adapt ways that will foster student interaction, make sure that all students are provided with necessary technologies for successful participation in learning as well as equip teachers with suitable tools. It can be argued that a switch to remote learning has inspired new opportunities, however, it is widely obvious that only a combination of both online and offline learning could prove to be the ultimate solution.
Conclusion
With the changes we envisage in the future, it will be seen whether schools, governments, and communities will meet the challenges brought by remote and hybrid learning. The benefits outweigh the shortcomings if the education sector takes the following measures, then students across the world will enjoy a more inclusive and effective learning environment.
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