Over 1.2 billion children have been left out of the classroom due to the COVID-19 pandemic that saw schools shut worldwide. This has also resulted in a dramatic change in education. E-learning has predominantly been on the rise since this pandemic because teaching in most schools had to continue on digital platforms remotely. This has forced most schools to adapt to online learning to increase content and information retention while the kids are still away from school.
With the sudden shift away from classes in most parts of the world, people are left wondering why schools are adapting to online schoolwork:
Teaching Needs to Continue in a Virtual Environment
While transitioning from teaching physically in a classroom to teaching in a virtual environment is a new experience for many educators, it has also become necessary to help students cope during this challenging pandemic. Additional assistance could be required to help students thrive in this new learning environment. With that additional assistance come additional costs that go above and beyond traditional costs associated with public schooling. Private tutoring in person and online come with added expenses, so take time to research the costs associated with tuition like the ones found here https://alchemytuition.com.au, and similar private tutoring costs.
Virtual teaching continues to ensure education occurs with limited social interaction. All you need for a virtual lesson is internet connectivity and technological access. However, because students encounter distractions at home that they would never experience in schools, learning at home can be difficult. Teachers need to employ creative measures that will make the online lessons more engaging for content retention.
It is a Chance for Schools to Familiarize Themselves with Technology
Considering we are in a digital age, this period has proven to be the best time for schools to look for online educational tools and platforms that will facilitate communication between the students and teachers. With schools incorporating technology into their curriculum, teachers have been able to select teaching platforms familiar to them and their students. This has allowed both parties also to learn the capabilities and limitations of these technological tools and established channels that will allow seamless exchange of information and efficient use of time.
It Allows Schools to Be More Attentive to The Students’ Needs
It has been such a challenge for teachers to keep catering to their students’ needs with students at home. This is especially so with the less advantaged students who lack connectivity at home. While some schools can address such challenges by shipping books and other materials to students lacking wireless access, the best way to still make sure the students are catered for is to open a positive learning environment online.
Even though teachers are forced to be physically present to curb the spread of the virus, online platforms have allowed teachers to create opportunities to keep encouraging students’ collaboration and discourse. These online platforms have also made it possible for the students to continue collaborating amongst themselves in small groups.
There is no Better Choice than to Utilize Available Resources
Schools have no choice but to utilize any resources available to them right now. Online e-learning has been a great way of keeping the students engaged. By taking advantage of the available resources, teachers have been able to blend some traditional learning approaches with collaborative visual and audio tools. Educators have been able to initiate lively online classrooms using audio and video clips, group work, and online spurts of discussions.