Are Online Classes Effective Or Do They Make Students More Vulnerable?

Dependency on technology has been at the forefront of several operations across various sectors during the lockdown. Be it for the short-term or long-term, technology has entered mainstream industries. One sector that has perceived it to be both beneficial and hazardous is the education sector.

Digital learning courses have not only become fully conventional and straightforward due to their dynamic learning modules, they have helped several individuals adjust to the changes at their own pace. But how convinced are you in saying that online classes are effective and if not, what is the way forward?

1. Online classes are way more interactive than traditional classrooms: Since online courses give students full power over their learning, they are likely to stay more engaged and motivated. The interactive modules further help students grasp data fast and they move quicker through subject matters they enjoy; thereby making this type of learning extremely efficient.
2. Dependability is higher with online learning: One of the biggest setbacks with this style of education is the dependency on external technological factors like internet connectivity. Several students aren’t able to either afford a stable Internet connection or do not have access to it at all. Educators will need to look at alternatives like creating science toys and kits that can be shared physically amongst students.
3. Flexibility to learn at their own pace: Web-based learning permits students to gain knowledge at their own pace. The lockdown not only pushed teachers to create smaller-interactive modules, but it also removed the stigma of having to complete the curriculum promptly. Kids can now refer to a pre-recorded course basis their own timelines and complete the course at their own pace.
4. Regular assessments = fewer distractions: Since technology offers teachers a platform to access their students regularly, they are less likely to remain distracted. A mix of media, substance learning material, and the usage of science toys and kits to stimulate children are turning out to be more effective.
5. Online classes cause less anxiety: Digital learning has become an effective and successful technique because students are able to approach education with less stress. Constant interactions, media-based reference books, and having a homely environment all add up to create a stress-free ecosystem.
6. Online education is mainstream: An online degree course is now equivalent to a campus course. However, with significant business players demanding on-campus exposure, educators and specialist need to include several practical projects and internships in the curriculum.

While online learning has more benefits than challenges, parents and counselors raise caution on the threats of Internet exposure.

• Online harassment — The lockdown has pushed several children to experience anxiety and stress –the same behavior can be reflected online upon their peers. Monitoring behavior to avoid instances of harassment online is the need of the hour.
• Access to inappropriate content — Teachers and parents need to limit screen time to ensure their children aren’t exploring the bad side of the Internet. Setting up child blocks and filters against a few sites and monitoring internet activity can help overcome this hurdle.
• Exposure to a lot of information — With the lockdown already causing a lot of anxiety, you wouldn’t want your child to use the Internet to gain more information. Teachers ought to educate students on how to protect themselves online and parents need to filter information. Setting up monitoring software is one of the easiest options parents can use to check their child’s activity online.

Although teachers and parents need to monitor screen time, teachers can resort to hosting case studies online to introduce healthy web practices. Setting up scenarios via case studies will help children learn and navigate through real-life situations. Hosting AI stimulated game sessions and arts & craft classes are a few ways children could remain engaged offline. Parents could also sit with their children and create experiments, science toys, and kits at home. Several educational institutions are designing engaging DIY educational kits that not only develop cognitive skills amongst children but also keep them off digital devices. Sparklebox is one such brand that offers educational kits for subjects like math and science, arts & craft, and literature for all age groups. You may explore the wide range on our website.