Online Education

One of the most oft-used terms after the pandemic is the term “new normal.” The new normal in education is the increased use of online learning tools and platforms. Online education is electronically supported learning that relies on the internet for teacher-student interaction and the distribution of class materials. It has quickly become the forte and future of education at all levels.

The situations arisen during COVID-19 times, has been proven that had online education systems not been in place, education worldwide would have been negatively impacted. Online education has indeed helped further educational processes than being left stand still. Live or recorded interaction with faculties, convenience of studying siting at home at any time of the day, access to live videos and recorded sessions and presentations has been made possible through online mode of imparting education. Education in the field of management at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels along with it’s due recognition by regulatory authorities has made online education emerging as the most viable method of education in the current scenario and way forward in this space.

As with most teaching methods, online learning also has its own set of positives and negatives. Decoding and understanding these positives and negatives will help in creating strategies for more efficiently deliverance and ensuring an uninterrupted learning journey for students.

Online learning brings with it --

a) Efficiency: Videos, Podcasts, PDFs

b) Accessibility in terms of time and place: Geographical Independence, Recording, Archiving

c) Affordability: reduced financial costs, learning material in soft format

d) Improved Student Attendance

e) Cutting across the bandwidth of students with different learning journey and style

But the repercussions it brings to the table -

a) Extensive focus on screen: thus reduced focus and concentration

b) Technology Issues: Internet penetration and connectivity

c) Isolation: Limited access to peers, and faculty

d) Faculty Training: up-skilling with technology

e) Health Hazards: Increased Screen Time leads to bad posture and other physical concerns