- Created By aydenrogers
E-learning Writes the Future and the Evolution of Learning | EssayCompany Research
E-learning pushes the boundaries of learning to limits that far exceed any other teaching method. In a traditional classroom, acquiring new knowledge is limited to the information transmitted by the teacher and accessed through textbooks.
Don't get us wrong. The teacher is an undeniable and unquestionable source of knowledge. However, sometimes there may be limitations for different reasons, such as those imposed by educational programs. Or by the time constraint of the duration of a class.
Undoubtedly, connecting students with the outside world can improve their possibilities to acquire new knowledge and handle much larger information. However, like traditional teaching, learning cannot function without the guidance and expertise of teachers.
Moreover, of course, the teacher is responsible for transmitting to the students the knowledge and the sources to which they should turn. What changes profoundly is the way of working. The learning methodology implies a change in how. However, many traditional learning methods find a place in the virtual environment.
Nowadays, learning encompasses several digital learning formulas, and not just one. It is an educational process in itself. Essay Company (https://essaycompany.org/) can discuss virtual classrooms, web-based learning, online classes, training videos, and a long etcetera. And in all these possibilities, we are referring to knowledge.
E-learning can work by itself with different techniques and formats. But it can also be a complement to face-to-face teaching. It is called blended learning. In this way, e-learning is a natural evolution of education but by no means a replacement.
Differences between e-learning and emergency remote teaching
Confusing eLearning with emergency e-learning is very common in these difficult times we are living in. The covid19 pandemic has forced us to look for alternatives to reduce physical contact quickly. It has affected many sectors. And education has been one of the hardest hit.
A well-planned online course designed for the digital medium is very different from the digital training developed during a crisis like the one we are experiencing. Thousands of colleges and universities worldwide have opted to cancel or reduce face-to-face classes as much as possible.
Thus, emergency remote teaching has not been designed and planned for the digital medium, and there has not been time to adapt it to take advantage of all the benefits that learning can provide. The face-to-face model has been adapted to a digital medium to respond to an emergency and not collapse the educational system.
Once the crisis is over, the original format will be restored. The aim is to recreate traditional training with the means available at any time. It is not the first time such a situation has arisen. For example, during the last war in Afghanistan, education via radio was used.
In the current situation, the problem is that there has not been time to guarantee neither students nor teachers the user experience that learning can offer. Teachers, in many cases, have had to be creative to adapt and not lower the quality of learning for their students.
The speed at which emergency remote teaching has to be developed means that the quality of the courses has to be reduced. It can take months to build an online system since a team is needed for the content, multimedia content, and the programmers. The important thing is to make the course available as soon as possible during a crisis.
Advantages of e-learning over conventional teaching methods
E-learning has been implemented in many areas of education for years. Increasingly, many educational institutions are offering off-site training. And they do so either as a complement to face-to-face training or exclusively. The reason for this is the advantages provided by this model.
If we stop thinking about it, it is clear that space is one of the main advantages of online training. Educational institutions can offer their programs to as many students as they want. Classroom space is no longer a problem in any case.
E-learning usually presents some problems that we cannot avoid. The main one is related to technology. Although we are becoming more and more familiar with technological advances, there are always some laggards. In addition, there can be technical problems such as connection problems, download errors, etc.
On the other hand, students may find online teaching boring as they interact with peers. Time flexibility can also be a problem. Sometimes not having a routine timetable can mean that no time seems to be a good time to do the course.
Tutoring can also be a problem despite being an advantage in the model. Sometimes, immediate bidirectionality is expected that may not work as the student wishes. Combined with a lack of familiarity with this teaching method, it can lead to a bad experience.
Finally, the content may be too theoretical in an online course. Practice, in many disciplines, is essential.
Solutions to the problems of e-learning
It would be too easy to stop at the problems. Every problem always has a solution, and here are some of them.
Technical problems can be solved by recording online classes always to be available, testing content, and other aspects such as logins or downloads. And, of course, have a plan B in place in case something goes wrong.
Online content requires effort, not only in theory but also in form. Create dynamic multimedia content. And, of course, interactive as much as possible. In addition, teachers should define time limits for activities and exams. It helps to establish a very flexible time routine.
Personalized attention is of great value, so it is necessary to establish schedules that the student must adapt. There are tools to facilitate this task, such as social networks or forums.
E-learning develops alternatives to optimize learning.
Educational institutions must rely on technology and implement solutions based on its use. And not only that. They must also reinvent teaching methods by supporting students and teachers on this new path.
End