The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled people everywhere to adopt online teaching and learning extensively. Although online and distance education have been employed in the past to ensure consistency in education, the current situation is exceptional in scope. Also being discussed are the long-term consequences of this and what education would entail in the post-COVID age. For some people, a quick return to the customs of the actual classroom is necessary. However, for other people, the forced transition to online learning represents a turning point and an opportunity to rethink how education might be provided.
The industry has become more competitive as a result of the rising demand for online education, with them fighting for the attention of a wide range of potential students. The number of hybrids and distance-only students climbed by 36% between 2012 and 2019, and the COVID-19 pandemic’s circumstances in 2020 sharply accelerated that expansion by an additional 92%.
More demand and higher expectations for quality also imply that students are becoming more knowledgeable about the returns on their educational investments. The chance to acquire in-demand skills may be more significant to certain prospective students than a program’s or institution’s reputation, particularly those who plan to enter lucrative industries like IT. In a learner survey, nearly 50% of participants said they would only consider paying for educational opportunities that they expected to have a positive impact on their careers, while 21% said they would only consider enrolling in a college to earn a degree if the institution was “highest ranked.”
Why do educators prefer to teach online?
- Flexibility
Since online instructors can schedule their classes at any moment, learners could manage their schedules.
- Comfort and freedom
There is no requirement to be in a given classroom at a specified time for a specific amount of time.
The modifications made to how student learning is assessed in online environments are also noteworthy. By removing assignments and completely modifying evaluation methods, many educators have changed how student achievement is evaluated. As part of these changes, learning tactics that make use of the online delivery mode, such as active interaction, student-led instruction, and the use of games to boost motivation and attention, are considered. Additional student choice about learning metrics, flexible or extended dates for assignment completion and more realistic experiences that entail the practical application of newly acquired skills and knowledge are some developments that are most likely to continue.
Additionally, institutions might wish to guarantee that their branding is maintained through the application process. Institutions can use a flexible engagement model to teach online. It gives individualised information and respects the audience’s time rather than a rigid, occasionally overly persistent strategy that emphasises outbound phone calls and generic content.
For students to take an online course, they must have access to a computer, the Internet, and the drive to succeed in a non-traditional learning environment. Since they are not restricted by time or place, online courses offer a great way to give education anywhere, anytime. Online learning is a practical approach for students to manage their busy lives and their education. For many students nowadays, having access to a course whenever they want, from any computer with Internet connectivity, is a huge perk. naasongs
