Online vs Reality in Education: Optimizing Expectations

 

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EDUCATION OVERVIEW

Education can be braced into few context with includes Teaching, Training and Learning; this represents an end to end relationship between the communicator which may be referred to as 'Teacher' and the receiver which is referred to as 'student' or any such attribute in a general context. 

The major aim of education includes ;

1. Improving Knowledge / Understanding 

2. Acquiring / developing skills.

These gives rise to an organization  called an  institution where this objectives are carried out.

Education according to Aristotle, is the process of training a man to fulfill his aim by exercising all the faculties to the fullest extent as a member of society. This implies that education can either be formal or informal.

Furthermore, Education is related to our daily lives, as we keep on learning from the day we were born till the day we die.

In the world of academics, learning is diverse just like teaching, however learning is the ability to receive a direct code or gaining knowledge by studying, practicing being taught or experiencing something in a setting like in a classroom or anywhere generally. While teaching is the act of relinquishing what you know as a higher person to your student and it involves different methods or methodology: parable, story, play, demonstration and teaching.

Online and Reality learning (Internet and Remote) are the basic or the most recognized formal pattern of learning. 

ONLINE EDUCATION

Online Education is a form of DIGITAL EDUCATION which came up as a result of the new wave in technological advancement and this was accelerated by the COVID19 pandemic which exposed the lapses in our Educational system. It involves the use of computer sets, iPads, tabloids, smart phones. Consequently it involves sending and receiving of data from both the student and the lecturer. In other words, it involves the use of internet and special application for teaching and learning to take place and be effective without the instructor and learner having need to sit side by side. i.e the teaching and learning process that is done remotely. This involves the use off applications like Zoom, Google Meet, Google Classroom, Webex with active internet connection.

REALITY EDUCATION

Reality Education can be referred to as TRADITIONAL method of Education, and it involves physical presence of all participants involved.  

PROS AND CONS OF ONLINE EDUCATION:

PROS.

Far-reaching and widespread Availability: Online education allows learning activities to take place via technological devices and video conferencing tools such as Zoom, Slack, Gotowebinar, Google classroom irrespective of the geographical distance between participants.

Flexibility:  That individuals can take a course from the comfort of their office or home even with a busy schedule or can find some spare time to take a course or study is one of the advantages of online education. In online classes, the learner is not directly interacting with the faculty and its a simply and perfect way to strike a balance between work, family and studies.

It is more affordable as  reality Education requires transportation most times from your residence to the location of the class and also the purchase of textbooks,manuals and printing of handouts.

It enables one to get the best tutor despite distance, with can yields to increase in productivity of knowledge and application.

 CONS

Language used for communication.

Though Online learning is generally widespread, it face Language barriers. Not all language providers are the same especially for the online learning they expect you to be aware of these languages.

Accountability/ Technicalities:

Discipline and accountability for given tasks may not be prioritized.

Some times, with online classes valuable time is wasted in resolving technical glitches. 

Online learning has more flexibility but requires learners to be self-motivated which may actually be difficult.

It may lead to indiscipline and lack of responsibility as it requires much diligent effort to stay put on a particular online meeting considering the rate of distraction through the use of digital devices.

Its probability of understanding is lower in comparison to  reality learning. Moreover In online classes, it is just one person talking and the others listening/jotting down notes/asking questions. 

Other factors prevalent in African countries

1. Inaccessibility to digital devices.

2. The high cost of data subscription.

3. Poor Network connection which hinders the flow of the online meeting.

4. Poor power supply in some areas also hinders the effectiveness of online  learning.

PROS AND CONS OF REALITY EDUCATION:

PROS:

Comprehension and Evaluation :

The teacher will be able to understand if they were able to get their point across correctly to each student by asking them to do activities related to the task. It is easier for students to get doubts and misconceptions clarified as and when the subject matter is being taught. Whereas with online classes,a lot of the lectures are prerecorded which makes doubt clarification very difficult.

There is more scope for classroom discussions and debates in offline classes. Classroom discussions and debates will broaden ones understanding of what is being taught as several different perspectives are put on the table.

The facial expressions and body language of the students will help the teacher understand if they are keeping the students interested in the class. In physical exercise classes, it is essential for the teacher to check if the exercises are being done the correct way by their students. This is very difficult to do in online classes. Doing the exercises wrongly cancel result in physical injury and will not bring about the desired benefits.

Accountability/Technicalities:

Reality learning has more accountability but requires scheduled class time. The entire class-time in offline classes can be dedicated to teaching and learning.

Moreover Reality learning is more suitable for young children, teenagers, and young adolescents who are yet to join the workforce. Regular attendance in classes helps them interact with other individuals of their own age, be better disciplined, follow a regular schedule, and improve their physical fitness and mental alertness. 

Reality learning helps students and teachers know each other in a better manner. This allows teachers to know the students and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses better, act as mentors, and guide students in their career possibilities. Reality learning is more helpful due to a continuous interaction between students and teachers, as it helps students to get rid of their fears regarding exams, which can rarely happen with online guidance.

Thorough Exposition: 

However attending a physical class not only allows students to have a one-on-one experience with the teacher but also exposes them to practical skills that can be beneficial to their future career, even those not in the scheme but aroused by an entity. 

 CONS:

Affordability: They are more expensive than online classes, and the other required cost to keep in touch with study and its environment is on the high side.

Lack of Good Tutors: Your effectiveness in study is practically dependent on the comprehension of your tutor, which may not be in your control to decide or determine.

Higher exposure to harsh climate and bad learning environment.

            STRIKING THE BALANCE

Both online and offline method of education have been widely practice. The use of online learning has vastly increased since 2012, as evidenced by the thriving of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). However, evaluating the effectiveness of online and offline teaching remains difficult. Evaluations have failed to reach consistent conclusions resulting in complex decisions when selecting a teaching method especially for medical education.

 However, this has come to stay, despite it numerous advantages and drawbacks we have to adapt to change because Change is the only constant thing in life and also is as to equip our educational system with necessary technological tools and devices that would aid students reasoning, learning and retention capabilities.

MAXIMIZING THE BENEFITS FOR EFFICIENCY

Of course, when it comes to education, online learning is collaborative, some courses are self-paced and the fact that you have your device handy is a blessing. However, it cannot replace the reality of the traditional classroom. The online teacher is real, the courses are real, but the atmosphere is not real.

Moreover it is believed that reality Education is better for kids and young ones, Especially for their Basic and Elementary Education. It also tends as the best for Formal education, that doesn't mean online learning should be scraped as we are aware that the world immensely dives there. Nevertheless it is encouraged to be used side by side even in formal Education because of the maximum benefits that without doubt yield positive performance.

For all other Education systems, getting in contact with the best of hands is  more beneficial, as knowledge and exposition becomes more effective. We must therefore optimize the online access as an opportunity, and appropriately use it to produce the best results in all spheres of our Education system.

CONCLUSION:

Online is conventionally seen as the distinction between computer-mediated communication and face to face communication.

Reality learning cannot  equal online learning if both are readily available, but due to the unsolvable facts of constraints involved, we must be disciplined and tenacious enough to utilize the benefit of both for the Learning process readily available, focus on what we want and be  determined to pay the price appropriately, setting our goals and objectives and avoiding negligence; thereby emerging successfully in the desired course.

Compiled by Lake Brienz, Spring 2 LDH.

June, 2020.