Many students have found it challenging to transition from physically attending school to studying virtually. The new learning style has made it more difficult for many people to understand.
Because of the physical gap between students and teachers created by the online learning system, students have difficulty communicating with their teachers. It is much more difficult to demonstrate to your teachers just what you are struggling to understand while working online. This is only one example of how difficult online learning can be.
The way students are taught is one of the most significant changes. Many teachers have resorted to showing videos to their students rather than instructing them. This method of instruction has not been successful for many students.
Many students have had difficulty grasping those concepts. KVUE-TV reports that approximately 11,700 Austin ISD students are failing at least one class this year. This represents a 70% rise over last year.
When students are physically present in front of a teacher, the teacher will ensure that they receive the assistance they need. Students should ask teachers questions when they occur, and teachers can respond quickly.
Although it is difficult to do so online, asking questions is the best way to learn. The teacher’s availability is a major problem, particularly for some students who are returning to school. It is more difficult for teachers to strike a balance between online and in-person students.
Another recurring problem with online education is the need to rely on the internet. On September 11, many AISD students could not access their classes or assignments due to a wifi outage. This blackout prevented many students from attending an entire day of school.
Teachers’ tasks have increased as a result of online school. At school, we are given assignments and have entire class periods dedicated to completing our work with the help and input of the teacher. We are supposed to be self-directed at home.
When studying from home, there are more distractions and opportunities to lose concentration on the task at hand. Distractions occur as a result of the amount of time we devote to asynchronous learning. At college, synchronous learning takes up the entire day.
Some may argue that online learning is more convenient because you can work at your speed and choose when to complete assignments. These factors eventually lead to procrastination and late assignments.
How hard is virtual Learning?
- For the Students
While online education can be a highly successful alternative medium of education for mature, self-disciplined students, it is an unsuitable learning environment for more dependent students. Online asynchronous education offers students power over their learning experience and enables non-traditional students to have more flexibility in their study schedules; however, this puts more responsibility on them. To be effective in an online program, students must be well prepared, self-motivated, and have excellent time management skills to keep up with the speed of the course. For these reasons, online education is not suitable for younger students (i.e., elementary or secondary school age) and other dependent learners who struggle to assume the responsibilities demanded by the online paradigm.
- The Teacher
Effective on-site training does not necessarily lead to successful online training. The effectiveness of the online program will be jeopardized if facilitators are not adequately trained in online distribution and methodologies. A teacher must be able to communicate effectively in writing and the language of the course. If the facilitators of an online curriculum are not sufficiently trained to work in the Virtual Classroom, the program will suffer.
An online teacher should make up for lack of physical presence by creating a welcoming atmosphere in the Virtual Classroom in which all students feel comfortable participating, particularly if they know their instructor is reachable. Failure to do so will cause the class to become estranged from one another and the teacher. Even if a virtual professor is knowledgeable enough to build a safe virtual atmosphere where the class can run, an online program’s lack of physical presence at an institution can be a restriction. Being excluded from meetings and other activities that involve on-site participation may be a limiting factor in an online curriculum for both faculty and participants.
- The Faculty and Administration
Some environments make it difficult to successfully execute an online curriculum. Administrators and faculty members who are uncomfortable with change and interacting with technology or who believe that online services cannot provide quality education often hamper the implementation process. These people are a significant weakness in an online program because they can impede its progress.
Often administration cannot see beyond the bottom line and views online programs solely as a means of increasing sales, and as a result, they are not dedicated to seeing online programs as a means of delivering quality education to people who would otherwise be unable to access it. In such a scenario, an organization that is unaware of the significance of adequate facilitator preparation, critical facilitator characteristics, and class size constraints will be unaware of the effect these elements can have on the performance of an online program.
Is online learning easy?
Here’s a common misunderstanding about online courses – they are less difficult than conventional courses.
This should not be the case in a good online class. Students should not progress through a course without showing mastery or getting feedback on their assignments.
We want to dispel this myth and demonstrate what a good online learning experience could entail. Online courses should not be simpler than in-person classes, and this is a positive thing.
On the other hand, online courses challenge students in ways that teach them important time management, communication, and technological skills that will help them in future professional environments, such as college and the workplace.
Here are a few explanations why, when performed correctly, online learning isn’t “easier” than conventional learning:
#1: It takes some time to get used to online learning.
Many students are shocked to discover that online classes are more difficult than they expected.
In reality, in some end-of-course surveys, many students say that online courses are at least as difficult, if not more so, than face-to-face courses.
This may be clarified because students would learn the same material as they would in a face-to-face course but in an unknown learning environment.
Students need time and assistance to adjust to online learning. They must, for example, learn how to use a new learning management system, apply assignments, and contact their teacher if they need assistance.
For students who are having difficulty adjusting, having a professional and devoted mentor who recognizes their difficulties and encourages them as they move into the online learning environment will make the transition much easier.
#2: Students still must turn in assignments and receive feedback.
Students should still be asked to show concrete proof for their learning and get feedback from an expert teacher rather than just “clicking-through” their online courses.
When it comes to K-12 online learning, we agree that all online courses should be taught by a qualified teacher who is an expert in their field.
To pass their class, students must demonstrate content mastery in an online classroom with a teacher. The teacher is the unit in charge of ensuring that a student has satisfied course requirements and is ready to move on to the next lesson.
Since students can complete course material at their rate, the instructor’s primary function is to provide students with individually tailored feedback to assist them in progressing to the next level of learning.
What is Virtual Learning?
Virtual learning is a learning environment enhanced by the use of computers and the internet both outside and within the educational organization’s facilities. The majority of the time, the training takes place online. The teaching activities occur online, so the teacher and students are physically separated (in terms of place, time, or both).
Virtual learning can be described as virtual learning is delivered in a virtual learning environment with digital study material tailored for live web-conferencing (synchronous) or self-paced (asynchronous) online teaching and tutoring.
Virtual learning – a glossary of terms
There are several types and words associated with virtual learning. These seem to be quite similar, but they reflect different facets of learning and teaching and can assist us in understanding the nature of “virtual learning.” Here are some of the most widely used:
E-learning
In its broadest context, e-learning refers to the use of electronic technology for teaching and learning.
The learning activities are either fully or partly conducted online. They can be carried out without the use of the internet by using electronic media.
Web-based Learning
The use of a web browser for learning is referred to as web-based learning.
Online Learning
Online learning is synonymous with the availability of electronic content on a computer or mobile device. It may involve the use of the internet, but using a web browser is not needed.
Online learning can be accomplished by installing programs or applications on your smartphone or computer, which can also be used offline.
Distance learning
Electronic and web-based technologies are not needed for distance learning. It refers to learning from a distance, in which the learners are physically isolated.
- Distance learning is associated with:
- Giving guidance to a student studying in a different location and at a different time than the teachers and other students.
- With the advancement of digital technology, distance learning is becoming progressively associated with online learning. Online classes for live online teaching put distance learning closer to conventional learning by replicating its key characteristics in the online world.
Learning that is a combination of traditional and non-traditional methods
This method of learning blends virtual and conventional modes of instruction. Learning materials should be digitized and made available online. As a result, learners have greater control over the learning process in terms of time, location, tempo, and learning system.
What is the hardest thing about virtual learning?
Although virtual learning programs are easy, they do have drawbacks. Also, students who are used to on-campus classes must adapt to the change in lifestyle. Any educational program necessitates a shift in your routine. You must make time to log in to the educational website, read, and complete your schoolwork. Here are some of the drawbacks and obstacles you’ll face if you plan to enroll in an online learning program.
Challenges with the Study Schedule
Even though distance learning is much more convenient than traditional classroom education, you must also make time to study. Just because you’re studying online doesn’t mean your study schedule has to change. If a lecture course takes you two hours to learn the curriculum, a distance learning class would most likely take you the same amount of time.
Finding the right time to study can be particularly challenging for adults who have jobs and families. It would be best if you found a moment when you can be alone to study. This can be one of the most daunting aspects of the process for an adult online learner. Careers and kids always take precedence, so learning takes a back seat.
In-Person Communication
A typical classroom surrounds a student with peers and the teacher, allowing for more face-to-face time with classmates for questions and conversation. Students enrolled in virtual learning do not have the same opportunity. It is essential that the student can communicate concerns and questions to the instructor through email, text, phone, or whatever communication method works best for both the student and the instructor. It is also important to know how to reach out to fellow students if possible and how to express your questions and concerns to the teacher.
Self-Motivation
Self-motivation is needed for online learning. Students can read and attend classes online, but this can make it easier to ignore schoolwork. When it comes to online learning, you must establish and adhere to a study schedule. It would be advantageous if you had the necessary self-motivation to achieve good grades in the same way you would in a typical classroom environment.
Effective Learning
Many students need a teacher to illustrate the content to them. Others find it easier to learn because they have colleagues with whom to collaborate. Before enrolling in an online course, make sure you’re the sort of student who can learn the content on your own.
Distance learning is one of the most rewarding ways to obtain a career diploma. Only make sure that the difficulties mentioned here do not hinder your academic advancement.
Advantages of virtual Learning
There are benefits and drawbacks to attending a physical campus. The same holds for participating in a virtual classroom. Among the many advantages of online education, virtual learning helps you to have a more flexible schedule, lower the cost of your degree, and grow your career while furthering your education more conveniently.
- Flexibility
Among the many benefits of online education, virtual classrooms are ideal for furthering their education while working. Lectures in a typical classroom will be scheduled at a certain time of day, and your schedule will be built around the availability of lessons. If you are already employed and classes are not available during your working hours, juggling a course load in addition to your work duties can be difficult.
When attending a virtual campus, you have much more freedom in determining your schedule. That implies you can study whenever and wherever it is convenient for you. Do you have any obnoxious roommates? Having more leverage over your schedule also makes it easier to avoid distractions.
- Cost
Education can be costly, but virtual learning can help students save money in a variety of ways. You can save money on transportation by not having to drive to campus. It also saves time because you don’t have to commute to and from campus.
The average student spends well over a thousand dollars per year on course materials and textbooks. Virtual coursework also makes use of virtual tools, which results in less money being spent on textbooks.
- Career Advancement Opportunity
Virtual learning, including conventional classroom courses, will provide you with several career development opportunities. On the other hand, online students have more chances to interact with foreign peers and frequently have more individual interaction with other students. Online learning allows students to spend more one-on-one time with their professors, which is useful for learning and networking.
Virtual students are better suited to continue working when obtaining college credentials because they control their timetable. In addition, academic work will clarify any holes or discontinuities in a resume for students who aren’t working. The benefits of virtual learning can be seen on a resume in any case.
Disadvantages of Online Learning
E-learning is a tremendously important method that many institutions have adopted over the last decade. But, to their detriment, are some institutions too reliant on it?
Training is an unavoidable part of any institution that cares about its future, but relying solely on an e-learning platform can make learning less intimate, less engaging, and ultimately less successful. Let’s look at some of the drawbacks of e-learning and why it might not always be the right choice for you.
- No self-discipline
The biggest benefit of e-learning, according to proponents, is that it is self-paced. This is right. You can watch a video again if necessary. If you want to take a break from the content, you can do so and return to it when you’re ready.
However, because of this inherent independence, “e-learning” often translates to “no learning,” as people can become disengaged from the content and see the experience as a tick box exercise – just another thing on an ever-growing “to-do” list.
An e-learning assignment can be pushed to the bottom of the list in a self-paced setting, where it may remain for days, weeks, or even forever.
In fact, many people find that active training sessions with other people are much more effective than impersonal e-learning modules for internalizing new skills and information.
- No face-to-face interaction
Although video conferences, webinars, and face-to-face video chat can make e-learning more immersive these days, it still is not the same as sitting across the room from a real person. Simply stated, there is no replacement for interacting with and learning from another human being.
- Lack of flexibility
E-learning can be very useful for learning new skills and transferring knowledge. However, putting together a successful e-learning curriculum with more diverse skills and competencies is more challenging. And, in a business context, these nuanced skills are often the most important.
These abilities can only be learned when you begin to think critically and engage in an activity or subject that has the potential to make or break an organization. The best learning occurs when students find ideas on their own – by posing questions and seeking guidance – and this is more difficult to do with e-learning.
Virtual learning examples
Vedamo
Vedamo is a virtual classroom platform and learning management system that focuses on online tutoring. There is no need to download and install anything to participate in the virtual classroom because it is browser-based. You can also check out a virtual classroom demo without creating an account. Collaborative resources include an online whiteboard, breakout rooms, screen sharing, and media sharing. Vedamo is also compatible with Moodle, Google for Education, Canvas, and Schoology learning management systems.
Adobe Connect
You’ve almost certainly come across Adobe Connect if you’ve been working in the virtual classroom app space for a while. Adobe Connect was the industry standard for virtual classroom applications, and it gained popularity in the higher education sector early on. Flash is still needed for today’s web-based edition. There is, however, a client download version that does not. Among the features are a content management system, cloud recording, quick polls, an interactive whiteboard, and numerous modules and templates for a highly customizable classroom.
Newrow Smart
Newrow is specifically developed for online learning – interactive classroom software is at its core! You can create online courses and connect with your attendees in virtual classes and webinars using an entirely branded platform. Virtual classes are entirely web-based – no downloads, no Flash, no installs – and provide interactive resources such as a virtual whiteboard, a content management system for displaying presentations and videos, screen sharing, breakout rooms, live quizzes, real-time notes, and more. Newrow adheres to LTI requirements and integrates seamlessly into all major LMSs. It’s certainly worth a try.
