The covid-19 pandemic has drastically impacted every sector, and education is no exception. Because of COVID, all schools, students, and teachers were forced to move from offline classes to online learning. Accepting this as the new normal, we must maximize the benefits of online classes and technology.
With so many technological breakthroughs worldwide, online classes are now on pace with, if not better, than offline classes. Teachers may make online classes more practical, interesting, and fun by using new content development tools and education applications. In this article, we'll go through the advantages of online classes and some suggestions for teachers on how to make them more effective.
What is Online Education?
Online education is obtaining skills and knowledge via the internet using devices like smartphones, computers, etc. Using online education, teachers can reach all students more flexibly and teach them the relevant skills more efficiently. Students who cannot attend offline classes due to various factors can learn from anywhere using the internet and online classes.
Online classes are a fantastic source of knowledge that students may access at any time. Online education has become more flexible for students due to the internet's availability, allowing them to learn anything from anywhere at any time. This level of learning flexibility is impossible to achieve in offline classes since students are confined to walls.
Suggested Read: Importance of Brainstorming in the Classroom
Advantages of Online Classes
Following are a few advantages of online classes:
1. Flexibility
The first and most significant advantage of online classes is that it allows flexibility in terms of time and location. The student can learn from the comfort of their own home. They can attend lessons at any time and from any location. Students are free to continue their work because there are no set schedules. They can use the extra time to practice more and participate in extracurricular activities that will help them advance in their careers.
2. Travelling Time and Expenses
The offline classes have their institutes in one location, and each student must travel to the institute to study. This adds up to hours of travel time and many traveling expenses, making offline education further expensive. On the other hand, online classes can give students the freedom to set their own schedules, allowing them to devote more time to their studies, and at the same time save a lot of traveling time and expenses.
3. Networking
One of the most significant advantages of online education is that it has no borders, which means that students from all over the world, from various backgrounds and locations, can learn together and form strong networks. They can collaborate on group projects and build their own empires by connecting.
4. Accessibility and Convenience
Online classes are accessible to everyone who has access to a stable internet connection and a smartphone or computer. You may quickly begin learning from the comfort of your own home with this basic setup. Furthermore, online classes are frequently recorded, making the material available at all times. Unlike offline classes, where students must be present, online classes allow students to review previously recorded lectures if they missed one or wish to revise topics and concepts.
5. Cost-Effective Learning
Online classes can help students save money by removing hostel fees, public transportation costs, and accommodation costs that they would have to pay if they were learning in a traditional setting. It is also less expensive than offline classes because students simply require a smartphone purchased for less than 5000.
6. Self-Paced Learning
Every student has a unique mindset and capacity to grasp new information and abilities. For students who cannot comprehend concepts fast, it might be difficult to grasp everything in a classroom setting. Students can learn at their own speed and ability while pursuing an online education.
7. Theory Application
By embracing the real-world application of theory through multimedia, chat, video, and engagement, online education allows teachers to enter this domain of ongoing learning. Educators can use content technologies to successfully convey educational theories into the classroom.
8. Better Communication
For some students, asking a question during a lecture might be intimidating. Waiting till the end of the class can mean competing with other students for the teacher's limited attention and time. Working up the guts to speak up can be especially difficult for introverted students. Compared to offline classes, asking a question is far less intrusive with online classes. Students with various communication skills find it easier to participate in class when they learn online. As a result, teachers are able to respond to student inquiries more effectively in online classes than in traditional methods of learning.
Tips for Teachers on How to Make Online Classes Effective
- Teach over short periods, such as 40 to 45 minutes, because online classes might be exhausting for certain students.
- Keep a few minutes to answer questions and clear up any doubts students may have.
- Students' learning can be assessed using a variety of online quizzes, assignments, puzzles, and educational activities. This will make the class more engaging and enjoyable.
Tips for Students to Learn Effectively in Online Classes
- Don't use your phone or computer during your break because too much screen time might cause eye problems.
- Use the type question option or ask right away to clear up your doubts.
- Make sure there are no technical issues, and if there are, fix them before the class begins.
Conclusion
Acceptance of change is critical to progressing in our world, and technological advances in the education sector are no exception; accept them as the new normal and make the most of them. Teachers should ensure that online classes have sufficient interaction and engage students to attend regularly. Students should use online learning to learn efficiently from the comfort of their own homes and avoid becoming victims of the pandemic.
Teachmint is the leading ed-infra provider helping educational institutions improve their efficiency. With our offerings like LMS, attendance management, fee management system, and more, institutes can boost their productivity multifold.
