Our Education System has been Hit Both Hard and Smart by the Pandemic
In the wake of the pandemic, there have been many changes made in our lives in general. Our learning system is the most significant change we are experiencing right now. We have shifted to online education from the traditional education system. Now, students can stay in the comfort of their own homes while getting an education at the same time. Teachers also get to spend more time with their families while working from home. However, not all families can afford a good internet connection. Moreover, online education does not seem to be working much for government schools. Depending upon the age of students, they might need regular monitoring throughout their online classes. This of course might not be possible to manage for all the families. For some, the traditional education system might be more beneficial than the online one. Thus, online education has both pros and cons which I am going to discuss in this article.
Pros of Online Education
Students can get their education from the comfort of their homes
Online education has benefited students and their families in many ways. The first and the foremost is that the students can take the online classes from their homes which reduce the chances of taking leaves from schools/colleges. They don’t have to miss the important lectures due to any reason. Weather cannot impact much on online learning. It doesn’t matter if it’s raining, cold, or hot outside, students and teachers can still join classes from home. Thus, there is so much saving of time and effort.
There is no place for bullying
Online learning has helped to decrease bullying in schools/colleges. No one can bully anyone anymore. Online education has proved really beneficial for the students who get bullied. They don’t have to face the bullies anymore. They can comfortably study from their homes and focus on their studies better.
It does not require any travel time
This has saved students and teachers time since they do not have to go to schools and colleges. They attend the classes by sitting at their homes unlike earlier. Usually, it takes almost 2 extra hours of their every day in travelling. Thus, the time which would go in travelling can be utilized in other better ways.
There are no transportation expenses
Parents don’t have to pay for the bus fares or other public transportation anymore. This has made a huge difference for everyone related to educational fields. The money spent on transportation earlier can now be an investment in improving other skills. For example, parents can enrol their kids for dance classes, painting, acting etc. Moreover, teachers can also do the same. In this way, they can all increase their productivity and growth in general.
More flexibility
Online classes have increased flexibility in the workspace for students and teachers. That is to say, they can attend the online classes whenever however and anywhere they want. Computers and internet connections are all they need.
No lecture loss
Unlike earlier, there is nothing like missing a lecture or class. The reason is that online classes can be recorded and thus watched afterwards. This is especially good for senior students who have other commitments as well. Or, the students who are into part-time jobs.
A better connection between students and teachers
Online classes have also developed a better connection between students and teachers. Now the communication between them has increased more via video calls, emails, messages etc. Students have also easy access to study materials through emails or document files etc. This has indeed developed a close connection between them.
Cons of Online Education
No social interaction
Online education has ended a social interaction between students. And, this is one of the biggest disadvantages of online education. At the age when students get to make lifetime friends, they are deprived of that phase. Social interaction is indeed important for developing social skills. And, apparently, our students are missing out on these skills as well.
Apart from that, the lack of social interaction can make their life boring and dull. They might feel a lack of excitement as well in their lives.
Studying online is not a cup of tea for every student
Some students love to go to schools and colleges. And, studying online might really be difficult for them. This might eventually affect their study performances and mental health.
Compared to traditional education, it has a disadvantage
Those who have studied through online classes might struggle in getting good jobs in future. There are undoubtedly companies out there who would prefer a person from regular traditional background over someone who has studied through online classes, to conclude. Above all, some universities might have also the same preference for allotting admission seats to students. Hence, studying online might be a disadvantage for some in future.
Practical subjects are at a loss
Online education has created a great loss on some of the subjects. Some courses require practical hand to hand teaching, to sum up. For example, Chemistry or Science experiments etc. are such subjects that are not possible to teach through computer screens. Thus, the practical subjects are suffering badly due to the online classes.
Discipline lack
The traditional classes used to help teach discipline that is not there now. Earlier, getting up before school time in the morning, reaching school on time, following the dress code ethics and other such rules used to teach discipline to students. Again, that is missing now. Discipline is a very important habit to learn that pushes you to do better in your life. Thus, students attending online classes are missing out to adhere to this habit.
Hard on library lovers
Some students find it difficult to concentrate on studies at home because of some reason. Sometimes, the atmosphere at their homes might not be study appropriate. These students rather prefer studying at their school or college libraries. But due to online classes students have lost that opportunity as well. Besides, some students are reading lovers and they love to spend and explore their time around in the libraries that online classes have snatched from them.
Other difficulties
Apart from the above-mentioned disadvantages, there are a few other major difficulties faced by the students, their parents and teachers for online classes. Firstly, there are many places in India where a good internet connection is not a normal thing. Few areas, villages or towns do not have usually a good Wi-Fi internet connection facility at all. Moreover, some parents simply can’t afford the internet bills. Online classes are not even an option for students from small village government schools. Thus, their study is suffering in this pandemic period.
Most importantly, junior students need regular supervision of their parents or an elder throughout the online classes. Unfortunately, this might really be difficult to manage for some parents.
Conclusion
Thus, studying online has both its advantages and disadvantages. No one can claim if either of the classes is better than the other. It’s just that it depends on people how they find them. In other words, online learning might be more convenient for some than the traditional one. But, at the same time, traditional classes might be more comfortable for others. Last but not the least, there are some such people for whom either of the classes don’t make much difference. Hence, it all depends from person to person.
Author: Simran K Parmar
A post graduate in English Literature, secular humanist, critical thinker, an outspoken atheist, follower of equality and a lover of philosophy. craftedfashion94@gmail.com
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