Distance education, also known as online education, has a history dating back to the 18th century, but it’s only gained more fame in recent years. It’s no longer just a trend but a mainstream necessity for us and our education. In this article, we’ll explore how online education impacted students around the world and its complications.
How Online Education came to Be
Online education can be traced all the way back to the 18th century. Caleb Phillips, an American teacher, planted the first seeds of distance education when, in 1728, he placed an advertisement in the Boston Gazette about a correspondence course in shorthand. He promised that “students may, by having several lessons sent weekly to them, be as perfectly instructed as those that live in Boston”. Correspondence study did not, however, really catch on until the 19th century with the improvements in the postal system. Later on, in 1858 Queen Victoria of Great Britain signed a charter that allowed the University of London to provide distance-learning degrees to people no matter where in the world they studied. The University of London was the first university ever to offer distance learning degrees. So while it’s been around for a long time, its popularity exploded due to continuous advancements in technology and especially, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Everyone was in lockdown and schools were closed so virtual classes and courses became essential as everyone needed them. The three year long pandemic showed us how impactful virtual education could be. Even after the pandemic, the spread of online learning remained.
Before the Pandemic
Before the coronavirus pandemic, attending traditional school was the norm, and online learning was viewed more as an alternative option. Sure, there were platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Khan Academy, and the occasional summer vacation where you had to do online assignments or a few one-on-one Zoom meetings with your teacher because you needed extra tutoring. However, the majority saw online learning as a supplementary option because of concerns about a lack of personal connection, the quality of learning, distractions, and technical issues amongst many others.
The Benefits it Has Brought Into Our Lives
Like most students, you may already know the perks online education brings, but let’s quickly list and clarify a few. Firstly, it’s cheaper for parents and self paying university students because there’s no need to pay for things like classrooms, accommodation, meals, and extra materials (like exam papers). Then of course, everyone’s favorite perk: Flexibility. It offers a high level of flexibility and personalization to each student’s needs, especially when comparing it to physical school where even commuting to class can be a hassle. This is particularly useful for higher level students who have much more responsibilities outside of school, such as work. Moreover, with online learning, as long as you have good time management, you’ll have more free time to pursue other things outside of school due to the flexibility it provides.
The Downsides of Online Education
Everything comes with some sort of negative side, and online education is no exception. As mentioned earlier, the lack of personal connection is a notable disadvantage that came with the widespread adoption of online education. There is a decline in communication skills, which in turn lowers many student’s self confidence. It may not seem like a significant change, but just looking at the case of many student’s social skills right after returning from the Covid-19 lockdown proves enough. Additionally, being around your peers and teachers increases motivation and accountability. Not to mention, because students and teachers aren’t physically together, there can be delays in feedback and assistance that may be urgent. So not only does online education lead to a decline in motivation, but it’s also easier to get distracted, and there’s no teachers around to keep you disciplined.
The Effects of Today’s Technology On Online Education
With the advancements in technology, online education has reached new heights and plays an even bigger role in our education system. Technology like artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) is making everything more advanced, fun, and improved. AI can even be that favorite teacher or best friend you need because it has so many useful things you will surely benefit from as a student. AI is like an entire library of information at your hands. Virtual reality, though not yet widespread in online learning, shows promise as it allows you to explore many things in the virtual world. Online education is becoming more creative thanks to these developments.
Online Education is Very Accessible Worldwide
From the start, introducing online education as a main form of education was an excellent idea when it came to the aspect of how accessible it is. Traditional schooling’s inconveniences and expenses aren’t easily available to everyone, so with online educational resources, education can reach further places and help many kids around the world. Especially among groups of low income families, students with learning difficulties, or busy mothers and fathers trying to attain their postgraduate certificates, online education has made a significant impact. The University of the People is a great example of this. It’s a tuition-free, online, American-accredited, non-profit university founded in 2009. Besides the remarkable fact that there are no tuition fees, being completely an online learning system has helped many people worldwide, from stay at home mothers to famous athletes and plenty more. This university is a great showcase of the power online education brings.
Interactive and Collaborative Tools
Online learning isn’t just about sitting in front of a screen and listening to a class. Many platforms offer interactive and collaborative tools that make the learning process more fun and effective. As discussed earlier, because of updates in technology, tools like discussion forums, group projects, and real time feedback systems that greatly enhance the learning experience exist for everyone to use from the comfort of their own homes. These tools allow students to interact with their peers and teachers properly and engagingly. Collaborative tools can help build a sense of connection among students, making the online learning experience feel less isolating and more connected.
Balancing Work and Study
One of the major advantages of online learning is the ability to balance work and study as briefly mentioned above. Many students who take online courses are also working part time or full time jobs. Due to the fact that online learning provides the flexibility to study at your own pace and on your own schedule, you are able to freely juggle multiple responsibilities. It allows working students to continue their education without having to sacrifice their job or other commitments. This balance online education offers is particularly needed for adult learners who are looking to advance their degrees all while maintaining their current job.
The Role of Online Education in Lifelong Education
Online education is not just for school students or those pursuing higher education. It also plays a significant role in lifelong learning. With the continuous rapid changes in technology and job demands, it’s essential for individuals to continuously update their skills and knowledge. Online courses offer a convenient way for people of all ages to learn new useful skills, whether for personal development or career advancement. This aspect of online learning is helping to create a culture of continuous learning, which is crucial in today’s fast paced world.
Major Challenges in Online Education
Despite its numerous advantages, online education also faces several major challenges. One of the main issues is the digital divide, where not everyone has equal access to the internet and necessary devices for online learning. Like with traditional schooling, this divide leads to an unequal learning opportunity and outcome. Moreover, online education requires students with a high level of self discipline and motivation, which can be difficult for some to maintain without the structure of a traditional classroom setting. Additionally, online courses can sometimes lack the in-person practical experiences that are often critical for learning certain subjects or skills, especially in the sciences.
The Future of Online Education
Despite everything, the future for online education looks promising. With never ending technology advancements and increasing acceptance of online learning, it is likely that we’ll see even more innovative approaches to education. Blended learning, which is the combination of online and traditional face to face teaching, is becoming more popular and could soon become the norm in most educational settings. This method allows students to enjoy the best of both worlds: the flexibility and convenience of online learning, and the social interaction and support of a physical classroom. As online education continues to evolve, it will likely play an irreplaceable critical role in shaping the future of education worldwide.
Conclusion
In conclusion, online education is changing the game of education due to its many advantages, like how accessible it is to a wide range of people internationally, its many engaging tools and the flexibility it includes. Let’s keep working together, in order to improve it, make it even more available for everyone by creating institutions similar to the University of the People, improving the teaching quality and so much more. While it comes with its challenges, especially the lack of social interaction, it’s crucial to move forward and prioritize inclusivity and adaptability to ensure that online education continues to empower learners and educators because there’s definitely no going back!
