Common difficulties of Online Learning and Solutions to them| DT Evolve

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on the education sector, with institutions scrambling to find ways to keep their doors open. Online learning resources emerged as a blessing during these trying times. Investments in EdTech tools have skyrocketed in the last two years, particularly in the online education sector, resulting in significant technological advancements.

There are numerous advantages to online learning, including portability, accessibility, a reduced requirement for physical infrastructure, lower costs, and increased adaptability. However, that does not mean that it is without its drawbacks. According to a recent survey, 60% of students who have recently switched to an online learning system found that it was boring and difficult to keep their attention in class.

According to another survey, 77% of 800 college students would rather learn in person than through online methods. These statistics demonstrate the necessity of comprehending the various issues associated with online learning.

1. Lack of Motivation in Students 

Students’ lack of motivation was thought to be the new interactive and immersive method for teaching the new generation of students through online learning. However, the outcomes demonstrate the opposite. Students are no longer motivated to return to the learning portal because of the interminable sea of texts, quizzes, frequent learning assignments, and multiple-choice questions.

Due to the lack of face-to-face interaction between students and instructors in online classes, students complain that they lack motivation. The online learning approach does not yet provide answers to the need for physical interaction between students, which is another requirement for maintaining engagement. Students need lessons that are interactive from institutions.

How to Solve: 

• Provide students who actively participate in the online learning platform with rewards and recognition. This could be accomplished by giving them certificates or other rewards like price reductions on course materials.
• To keep students engaged, break up lengthy lectures and sessions with interactive activities like polls and quizzes.
• To encourage students to interact and engage with one another, incorporate discussion boards and forums into the online learning platform.
• To encourage teamwork, let students work in small groups or teams.
• Make lessons more interesting by using pictures. Integrate recordings, movements, and other visuals to keep understudies inspired.
• Provide students with individualized learning opportunities. Give them the freedom to select the resources they want to use and the subjects they are interested in.
• Give more open doors to instructor understudy cooperation. Have one-on-one meetings with every understudy to examine their advancement and to resolve any different kinds of feedback they might have.

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2. Problems with the Infrastructure 

Although large classrooms, chairs, tables, blackboards, and chalk are not necessary for online learning, this does not mean that there are no infrastructure requirements. There is a significant demand for high-bandwidth internet, consistent electricity, adequate software, and a computer.

In most developed nations, public libraries provide access to this infrastructure for those who cannot afford it. However, only a small percentage of the population in developing nations like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and many others have access to infrastructure of this caliber.

How to Solve:

•  Governments in developing nations ought to make investments in making free access to computers and the internet available in schools and public libraries.
• By offering discounted or free access to computers and the internet, private businesses should be encouraged to support initiatives that promote online learning.
• Individuals need grants and scholarships from private funding organizations to access computers and the internet.
• Local community centers ought to have free access to computers and the internet provided by non-profit organizations.
• Students should have access to computer labs and the internet at educational institutions.

3. Technical Issues and Digital Literacy

 The new generation’s proficiency with computers does not always translate into digital literacy. Understanding the workings of multiple software programs is necessary to learn effectively through an online system, which presents a steep learning curve. In addition, students must be aware of their rights and responsibilities as students in an online learning environment and the etiquette of online communication.

The constant technical issues teachers and students face on these platforms are a bigger problem. The learning process is frequently disrupted as a result of these issues, which frequently necessitate technical assistance.

How to Solve:

•  Teachers and students should have access to technical support to assist in identifying and resolving any issues that may arise. To assist with the resolution of any technical issues, educational institutions ought to provide technical support personnel or contact information.
• Schools and colleges ought to likewise give preparing and backing to assist with creating advanced education abilities. This could take the form of webinars, tutorials, or courses that cover things like the rights and responsibilities of students in an online learning environment and proper online communication.
• Online learning platforms that are secure and dependable should also be purchased by educational institutions. This would help ensure that technical issues do not interrupt online learning sessions.

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4. Lack of Personal Contact 

Humans are social creatures. The development of the web depended on the rule that people will continuously be interested to connect and find out about each other. However, virtual interaction cannot replicate physical interaction psychologically.

An atmosphere that can’t be replicated through virtual means often results from being present in a classroom with a teacher and other students. Because students cannot turn off webcams and fall asleep, the physical model also ensures discipline. Physical classrooms also make it possible for teachers to pay closer attention to the requirements of each student. On the other hand, interactive eLearning modules can aid in increasing student engagement.

How to Solve: 

• A possible solution to the virtual classroom’s lack of face-to-face interaction is to divide students into smaller groups for virtual sessions. Students would be able to interact with each other and the teacher in this way, which would make the environment more interesting. Moreover, the teacher could relegate intuitive activities or undertakings for understudies to finish in little gatherings, giving them an opportunity to team up on the web.
• Besides, teachers ought to set up standard virtual available time where understudies can talk with them one-on-one. This would make it possible for teachers to give each student individual attention and assist them in resolving any issues they might be having with their coursework. Last but not least, teachers should make the most of technology by including virtual reality in their lessons. Students would be able to virtually explore various environments, participate in immersive learning experiences, and interact with other students in a more realistic manner as a result of this.

5. Lack of EdTech and Online Learning Options for Students with Special Needs

 Students with special needs have been completely ignored in the development of online learning. Extraordinary requirements understudies need a more customized and involved strategy for instructing. Even though technology has come a long way, it still relies heavily on the presence of an expert or teacher to help the student complete the tasks. Students with special needs have fallen academically behind their peers as a result of these issues.

How to Solve:

•  Education technology needs to be used differently if special needs students are to be able to keep up with their peers. Special needs students must be accommodated in EdTech tools. For each student, individualized learning plans should be developed.
• The student’s abilities, disabilities, and individual learning style should all be taken into consideration in these plans. Students should also have access to the tools they need to succeed through technology. For instance, PC projects can be utilized to assist understudies with working on perusing, math, and different abilities.
• Students who struggle with their fine motor skills can benefit from voice recognition software. Additionally, there are a number of apps that can aid students with special needs in communication, organization, and other areas.
• EdTech tools and best practices for teaching students with special needs should also be taught to teachers properly. This will guarantee that unique necessities understudies can get to similar nature of schooling as their friends.

6. Course Structure and Quality

It was thought that the transition to online learning and other modern teaching methods would also result in a modernization of the course structure and curriculum. That hasn’t been the case, unfortunately. Even after moving to online education, institutions have maintained their out-of-date course curriculum and structure. Students are rethinking their decision to attend college as a whole as a result of companies like Google and Tesla choosing not to make college a requirement for employment.

Better content on these topics can be found for less money or even for free on websites like YouTube, Google, Skillshare, and Udemy, among others. Additionally, these platforms permit them to select their subjects, making the learning structure extremely adaptable. This ought to prompt educational establishments to reconsider their overall approach to teaching.

Step by step instructions to Address –

• Establishments ought to rebuild their courses to be seriously captivating and important. In addition, rather than solely relying on theoretical knowledge, they ought to concentrate on providing more practical knowledge and skills.
• Additionally, institutions ought to concentrate on developing courses that are more in line with the current world. This would include classes on artificial intelligence, data science, and machine learning.
• Also, institutions should think about making course structures that are more adaptable. This could include having the option to take classes in person or online and making your own curriculum.
• Quality content should also be a priority for institutions. In addition to providing content in high-quality audio and video, they ought to make certain that their content is up to date with the most recent developments in the field.
• Last but not least, educational establishments ought to concentrate on improving student support. This could mean expanding the number of options for online tutoring and starting online forums and discussion groups where students can get help and ask questions.

7. Absence of Certify Degrees From Top Colleges

 Training has more to do about marking than learning. Where you studied matters more than what you studied. The online learning industry has yet to persuade prestigious higher education institutions to offer their courses via online or distance learning methods in such a market where brand is a major factor.

Degree-granting online courses typically lack accreditation and are rarely accepted by employers or other institutions. Online education has been welcomed by schools, but higher education institutions and governments have yet to recognize it as a legitimate way to earn a professional degree.

How to Solve-

• Legislatures ought to perceive online courses and degrees as genuine types of instruction.
• To provide degrees and courses that are accredited, educational institutions ought to collaborate with the best universities.
• To ensure that the courses offered are of high quality and are recognized by employers, online learning platforms should be developed.
• The educational experience of online courses ought to be comparable to that of traditional universities.

8. Abundant Distractions, Lack of Discipline 

Online attendance has drastically decreased due to frequent technical issues, bandwidth issues, and monotonous lectures. There are also a lot of distractions and a lack of discipline. The majority of students dislike online education and frequently express a lack of motivation to complete classes. Both students and teachers lose interest when there aren’t enough tools to engage them in the classroom, a problem that even teachers frequently voice.

Education quality frequently suffers as a result of the online teaching method’s lack of accountability. Numerous distractions have emerged as a result of the free use of laptops and mobile phones in classes, frequently at the expense of concentration.

How to Solve:

•  Make sure online classes have a clear structure with clear goals, objectives, and expectations.
• For collaborative learning sessions, use interactive tools like whiteboards and breakout rooms.
• To keep students interested, incorporate creative activities like video projects, online polls, and quizzes.
• To ensure that students do not use their laptops or mobile phones for other activities during class, establish a strict discipline policy and enforce it.
• Urge understudies to enjoy reprieves between classes to stay balanced and keep them invigorated and inspired.
• Students who finish their classes on time and actively participate should receive rewards and other incentives.

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Conclusion 

In conclusion, there is always a solution to any problem. In addition to the aforementioned flaws, the current Edu Tech system for online learning suffers from a number of other issues. Having said that, despite its relative infancy, the sector has advanced significantly. The system is rapidly changing and will soon be the norm in the education sector.

The world of online education has many benefits, including making education more affordable and accessible to more people. The current generation of students is demanding greater freedom in their education, so the days of rigid subject selections and fixed curriculums are over. However, the greatest obstacle that EdTech needs to defeat is repeating the appeal of face to face learning and making the experience more vivid as specialized challenges frequently get smoothened out over the long run.