Outdoor to Indoor Education always finds a Way – The Online Era

Introduction

In the last few decades, the mode of education has entirely reinvented itself repeatedly to evolve and adapt to the changes that we as a community have also undergone. It is beyond doubt that “Learning Methods” change as we learn and experience – and the role of the Internet has been a huge influence on various such changes. From a non-existent system to being a network providing the largest most accessible database for information ever created, changing the way people communicate, gain knowledge, socialize, shop and earn on the Internet, all of which has seen a remarkable growth. Consequently, the mode of education has also evolved, now distance learning has become a reality through virtual classrooms and easily accessible online databases. A testament that Education always finds a Way – The Online Era has become a reality and is here to stay and revolutionize the education system.

Online Education has emerged as a New Normal today which portrays a relaxed and cost effective mode of learning with least effort and yet completely effective from either point of view – the teacher and student. Being an education mode where the students use their home computers and the internet for a more non-traditional take on academic life, and has many advantages. This style has made online graduations, online courses etc. even more popular with the use of a number of digital media platforms and technologies.

This computer/web based training is a flexible and versatile instruction delivery system that can encompass any kind of learning that used to take place in the real world before. Online learning provides educators an opportunity to reach out to students who may not be able to enroll into a traditional classroom course and, supporting students who need to work on their own schedule and pace. The quality of distance learning has tremendously improved with the necessity that we face today due to the pandemic. Many schools and institutes that offer online learning have increased rapidly. With almost infinite ways to teach and learn outside of traditional classrooms and away from college campuses – online education is the best option – dare I say even before the circumstances forced us. All you need is electricity and internet access and you get audio, video, text, animations, virtual training environments, live chats etc all at the tip of your fingers. This is what we refer to as rich learning with versatility that one can’t find in traditional classrooms as it brings out the full potential on either side with least expenditure in terms of money, time or effort – fully online degrees earned from the comfort of your home with no required visits to your college or university campus, libraries etc; what an opportunity to learn from anywhere!

What you call and refer to as a drastic change, we call adaptive capability and evolution in the times of need. And things always get better when the majority depends on something. With the increase in online based activities around the world we have seen rapid growth in the field to facilitate its use to the vast multitude.  For a country like India, as the Internet reaches the rural areas, doors to good education, better economic opportunities and effective healthcare systems, open and eventually aid the development of the country.

Let’s see the advantages of venturing into the online platform –

Reduced expenses

The huge plus of online education would be the dip in money spent. Money requirement would minimize – for classes, hostels, mess fees, activity fees, text books, membership fees and other random expenses. Online learning being an indoor method, there’s no cost of commuting, assorted costs related to transport such as fuel, parking, vehicle maintenance, and public transportation costs etc. At the end of the day you seem to save money, time and in most cases, the environment as well. This will release the students from any and all burden in terms of debt and other criteria as well. With online classes, you’re paying for the university credits while saving money.

Reduced Load

The intensity of every activity is significantly reduced; taking classes in the traditional way requires getting ready and showing up at a particular time every single day, sitting through a lengthy lecture class after class. If you space out, you lose the entire knowledge you ought to have gained in that class and there is little freedom compared to that at home. With online education, one chooses his/her own timing, can record sessions and catch up whenever possible, understand at your own pace, take snack breaks whenever wanted, stretch out and learn in comfort & style. All this reduces a good amount of load, unburdening an individual from great many things.

100% Attendance

It doesn’t matter where you live, it could be a downpour, it could be snow, or even a storm that stops you from getting up and walking out to get to class, because the class comes to you when it’s online learning. All at the comfort of your very own home, attending classes online is as simple as switching on your computer, opening your laptop or even unlocking your smartphones/tablets. No rain soaked walks to and fro, no hypothermic marches, no sweaty hot days – just you and your mind focused on learning at the comfort of your home. Additionally, you can be flexible about when you get things done, at your own leisurely manner as you create your own timetable. Students who juggle their careers and school will have a lot more freedom because they aren’t tied down to a fixed schedule.

All this reduces exhaustion relatively and it wouldn’t matter if you are an early bird or a night owl, you can always have a 100% attendance with ease.

Better Teacher – Student Communication

In some ways, even if the distance is greater, this method brings the students closer to their professors. You might not be physically present in class, but you can get easier access to any faculty whenever you need. In online classes you will always get your questions answered unlike traditional classes, this is because you can email them directly and eventually you will get a reply. This also helps the professors because they can record a class and post it online instead of streaming live and answer the questions while the session is being played through direct messages. Online communication emphasizes individual attention greater than the traditional method as it is easier to communicate with larger groups and the physical energy used is far lesser as the professors don’t have to stand for long hours etc.

Any College, Any Location

You can get accredited while studying from home, attending exams from home, doing everything from home and get the degree from home; so, how does it matter where the college is located? The answer is – it does not!

Your choice university might have not been possible because it wasn’t at your hometown or was too far away from it. But with online learning, it is possible now. There won’t be anyone who is homesick from being away from home for too long at your hostels etc, because now you’re doing it all from home. With this online mode of education, one can travel around the globe to get a degree while being where you are right now. There’s no more “Location Dependency” factor to rule over your choice of university. A degree from any university, anywhere in the world, is now at your reach in this Online education era.

Learning some Tech Skills

There are plenty among us who have never been tech savvy or anything close to resembling computer skills within us. The most important skills that employees currently lack would be computer and technical skills. Of those reporting that they needed skills for their current job, 33% reported lacking technical skills, including basic computer skills.

The online education system will push you to leave your comfort zone entirely and learn some basics and more to have some digital sense to thrive in this digital world. You will learn to navigate through portals, understand various online terms, surf through online course lectures, download materials, interact with other people online, communicate digitally and more – all of which will become an extension of yourself with some practice and all these will come handy in your future as well as everything is bound to become more digital oriented, not less. Keeping pace with the evolving world is always a necessity and this is just one of many ways to achieve that pace.

In conclusion, Online Education or Online Learning is a proven fantastic choice with no boundaries.