Although the pandemic forced most to turn to online learning, with the rollout of vaccines, people (maybe even you) are questioning the place of online education in the so-called new normal. Some states are fully opening up after a year of quarantining. The upcoming school year is set to kick off in the fall. As both adult learners and younger students begin to journey back to the physical classroom, the place of online learning might seem precarious. Some parents and other critics of remote learning systems propose complete in-person learning as soon as possible.
Consider how beneficial our new systems of education were despite early hiccups. Without our online learning platforms, we would not have been as successful with lockdowns, nor would education have been able to continue throughout as quickly. Even compared to early criticisms of the online learning rollout (or widespread introduction) during early 2020, many consider their online learning experience beneficial. Some students even prefer their online learning platforms to in-person classes for the advantages!
Online learning might seem less necessary than a year ago pre-vaccine, but that doesn’t mean it is less valuable. The return to the classroom does not mean the retirement of online learning systems. Even pre-COVID, many cutting-edge programs were exclusively online. Colleges geared toward working adults are particularly successful with a completely online model that allows different types of learners with various schedules and lifestyles to receive a quality education. The fact is most working adults cannot simply stop working to go to college full-time despite their desire to earn a degree or continue pursuing education for their careers. This might be the obvious reason people turn to online learning. It is the same as with the pandemic: when you can’t physically go to school, school comes to you via the computer.
So why bother with online, especially for kids that may end up in the actual classrooms very soon?
Computer Literacy
There is a huge disadvantage for students who are unfamiliar with computer programs and their functionality in our digital world. In almost every job, computer skills are required, and older students turning toward the workforce like high school seniors need to navigate these programs. By focusing on computer literacy, students have the advantage of learning their material and becoming comfortable using a computer and different programs as tools. Even if the system they are using for their online classes is different than future platforms, the basics are still applicable and crucial to growing their computer literacy skills.
Think of online learning as double-dipping. You can learn about the subject and how to use the computer at the same time. This is especially valuable for students who may not have as much or any computer access at home. By incorporating digital methods into the physical classroom, you can give each of these students more opportunities to succeed in the future.
Personalized Learning
This may seem counterintuitive, but computer-based programs are more easily personalized than in-person learning. In large classrooms, teachers often only have a dedicated amount of time for each student (if they have time at all) to address each person’s learning needs. With the proper setup of the online platforms, students can more actively judge their progress and reach out for help or use additional resources than waiting for an instructor’s attention in a classroom setting. Receding into old habits of teaching to the middle hurts all students, and online learning can prevent that.
Attendance Capability
While we all are making the gradual shift back to in-person learning, consistent attendance in the classroom is not always possible. Makeup work consisting of paper sheets and take-home assignments is not practical and can bog down students. Digital access makes attending classes much more attainable even when you are not physically present. This means better attendance, learning, and engagement from students who otherwise might fall behind due to absenteeism beyond their control. With the lifting of regulations, it is difficult to say how steady any new in-person schedule will be, and consistency is the best way to fill those gaps without breaks in learning. That consistency is most likely attainable through digital means.
These are just some ways to begin to understand how to reintroduce and utilize our online experience as we move back into the classroom after this summer. Of course, individual experiences always vary, but it benefits all types of learners to incorporate and embrace online learning platforms and strategies in and out of the classroom.
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