THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY: ONLINE LEARNING IN THE AGE OF PANDEMICS

But this doesn’t mean that learning stops with the closing of campuses. Thanks to the power of the internet and modern technology, going to virtual classes and accessing lessons can be done at home. There are lessons and programs now available online that students can access amid strict quarantine measures.  

However, this abrupt shift to online learning is not a foolproof plan. Both faculty and students are facing challenges, such as the lack of interaction with classmates and teachers, inadequate discussion forums, and even the threat of failing bandwidths or slow internet speeds. 

Let us take a look at the pros, cons, and possible deal breakers when it comes to online learning.

The Good

What’s great about distance learning is that it can be done anywhere, even at the safety of your own home. With the rampant spread and transmission of the coronavirus, physical distancing has become one of the key preventative measures to flatten the curve. Studying at home follows this protocol, keeping students and their families safe. 

The list of free lessons, tools, and resources are increasing each day as more organizations do their part in helping students, from those in kindergarten to those completing post-graduate studies. 

Schools are also implementing their own online learning platforms, which are designed to help faculty and students maintain their regular schedules and curricula.

In addition, online learning eliminates the need to commute to class, which translates to less time spent traveling and more study time sitting on one’s couch and going through one’s materials. It definitely entails discipline and a strong sense of routine, but there’s no snowstorm, external threat, or pandemic that can get in the way of classes in the virtual arena.