We live in a world where you literally have access to anything and everything you could ever want to know. Online education has never been more popular or effective thanks to the internet and the rapid development of technology. Accessibility, adaptability, and affordability are just a few of the benefits of online education, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some drawbacks as well. Online education can be hard to get used to at first, and there are some challenges that come with the territory. In this blog, we will discuss in depth the various issues that students face when taking online classes and offer helpful solutions to those issues. This way, if you’re a teacher, you’ll know how to support students who are struggling. And if you’re a student, you’ll know what to do if online learning presents obstacles.
What is online learning?
Let’s go over exactly what online learning is and break down the various types of online learning available before we get into all of the issues that students face in online classes. Over the past few years, the popularity of online learning, also known as eLearning, has skyrocketed. Basically, eLearning is any kind of learning that can be done from any device with an internet connection. The best part is that you can be anywhere in the world while learning online.
Online learning has earned its seat in the education industry as it provides more accessibility and flexibility for students, allowing them to choose a learning style that works best for them. It can also be more cost efficient for both students and teachers, cutting back on the overhead expenses that are associated with in-person learning.
Think of online learning as an umbrella term for all of the different types of eLearning out there. There are multiple ways in which you can learn or teach online, and there is no one right way to approach online education.
Below we have listed some of the most common forms of online learning that are currently being offered.
Types of online learning
First things first, you can learn online in one of two ways: synchronously or asynchronously. A self-paced learning environment in which students can access course content and complete assignments at any time and from anywhere in the world is known as asynchronous online learning. When it comes to online education, most people find this to be a major draw. In contrast, synchronous online learning is a live, interactive teaching method that mimics in-person instruction by utilizing active discussions and real-time participation to achieve learning objectives regardless of location. This is very similar to learning in person, but you don’t have to leave your bed to do it if you don’t want to! Other common types of online education include the following: Microlearning – Short-form lessons that mainly involve bite-sized, digestible content. The goal of microlearning is to focus on learning core concepts and theories, while consuming this information within 5 and 10 minutes for better understanding. This style of eLearning weeds out the fluff and unnecessary details, so that students can grasp key points more efficiently.
The utilization of mobile technology, such as smartphones, for educational purposes is referred to as mobile learning (M Learning). With M Learning, students are able to learn on-the-go through videos, podcasts, and bite-sized lessons. M Learning is more likely to be adopted by students due to its adaptability, convenience, and ease of routine formation. The incorporation of game elements into the learning process is known as gamification. Point systems, leaderboards, and rewards that encourage learning are all examples of this. This approach boosts student engagement and fosters an immersive learning environment where learning need not be a chore. Top obstacles to online education Let’s go deeper into some of the difficulties associated with these particular eLearning modalities now that we’ve covered the foundation and the various types of online learning. Short-form learning and distance education have reduced costs, increased flexibility, and reduced the need for physical infrastructure for teachers and students, but they do not come without drawbacks. Some of the most common issues with online education are listed below.
Synchronous learning
Synchronous learning is great for student participation, however there are some key challenges that are worth noting. This particular online learning style closely mimics in-person lectures, so for those who learn best in-person, this is your next best option as there is an emphasis on live lectures and student participation.
However, synchronous courses don’t always have the flexibility that is often desired when it comes to online learning. In point of fact, taking part in this kind of eLearning can be difficult for people who live in different time zones. It can also be difficult for some students to find a quiet and private environment to be fully engaged with lectures. As well, if there are any internet troubles, then you are potentially missing out on valuable class time, especially if lectures aren’t recorded.
Asynchronous education Asynchronous classes can be very similar to synchronous learning, just without the live “in-person” component. While there are deadlines and due dates to meet, students have more flexibility with how and when they learn, and can allocate their time in a way that works with their schedule.
The top problem with asynchronous learning is the lack of personal interactions and peer-to-peer support. Another significant obstacle is the difficulty of receiving immediate assistance or feedback from instructors; it is likely that a delay will occur before an instructor can respond to a question, which has a negative impact on the learning experience. Asynchronous courses are also known for having a lack of structure, which can make learning confusing and unmotivating for students.
Microlearning
Microlearning caters to those looking to quickly grasp the concept of a subject, and is generally for learners with limited time. It is challenging to learn complex problems or develop skills through microlearning because of this time constraint. Because of this, microlearning can only cover a small number of concepts, more like a surface-level learning experience. Microlearning also runs a high risk of fragmented learning if the course is not managed correctly, which can be frustrating for learners. Because of this, it can sometimes be a struggle to keep track of student success and progress with microlearning.
M Learning’s mobile learning
M Learning is growing in popularity because there are approximately 6.94 billion smartphones in the world. Although the ability to learn from your smartphone is a significant advance in the field of online education, it comes with a number of significant difficulties. A major challenge is content compatibility. The majority of the time, eLearning-created content does not always seamlessly transfer to mobile devices, affecting both the instructor and the student. In this case, content has to be refurbished or recreated so mobile learners can access it properly, which can be very time-consuming.
Other challenges include small screens, difficulty reading text, and learner retention. M Learning frequently produces extremely brief content, making it challenging to comprehend complex ideas. Gamification
Many smartphone apps have mastered the art of game-based learning, which uses play to achieve educational objectives. Gamification learning This is a fantastic short-form learning method that is rapidly gaining popularity. However, there are some issues with it, such as the perception that it is “mandatory fun,” the difficulty in increasing user engagement, and the misaligned motivation to earn rewards rather than retain core concepts. Gamification can also be prone to technological issues such as accessibility, usability, and reliability – which can easily deter potential learners.
challenges that students face when taking classes online Let’s move on to the more specific issues that students in online classes face now that we’ve covered some of the issues associated with online learning. Taking note of these difficulties will be beneficial to teachers as well as students, so we will also offer some key solutions for overcoming these difficulties with online learning. Some of the most common problems (and solutions) that students encounter when using online learning are as follows:
Isolation
Humans, by nature, are social animals. One of the biggest obstacles to overcome with online learning is isolation – it can be incredibly lonely to enroll in an online course, and students can often feel disconnected from their peers and instructors. Although students sometimes get to interact with their classmates over Zoom or Google Meet, it is not the same as physical interaction.
Students may not engage in the same way they would in an in-person setting if they feel isolated, which can result in them feeling disconnected from the class. This is especially common in asynchronous learning, where students have even fewer opportunities to interact with one another.
Solution
When you can’t talk to your teachers and classmates in person and express your concerns right away, it’s easy to get frustrated. However, there are steps you can take to persevere, such as: Find out if your class has a support system for students. Students in some online courses are guided and supported by advisors throughout their program. Examine whether students in your class have access to networking opportunities. Some courses allow students to interact with their peers via chats and forums. It is similar to interacting with classmates in a classroom, but reaching out takes a little more effort.