The Coronavirus pandemic and the extended lockdown caused by it have made learning and working the new routine from home. This situation has changed many aspects of life, especially teaching. All stakeholders, starting from students, teachers, and school principals, are forced to overcome these rash online learning ways.
But is distance teaching easy? Of course not, many problems are being faced till today even though two years have passed on the beginning of the online learning usage, but some issues still pop up that can't be controlled, not like the in-person teaching where the only concern was about roads closure due to snow. Here are the most two problems I've faced with online teaching and still face them quite a few times that need to be tackled for successful education:
- Technical Issues:
Technical issues and internet connection only add to the online environment's frustration and interrupt learning sessions. Sometimes it worsens when the Internet connection is unstable, and the current data plan is insufficient to cover the progressive online learning needs. For example, your computer might shut down, or your Wi-Fi connection is spotty. Such minor issues may cancel the class, which we try to avoid.
Unfortunately, such issues can't be solved, and the painful truth is we all have to adjust to a slow Internet speed in the middle of the coronavirus lockdown.
- Restricting Cheating:
Whether we like it or not, quite a few students try to cheat while using online learning. Tackling these students isn't easy, and it requires a well-designed system by professionals. So, I think that educational institutions should minimize the possibility of students decreasing the value of assessments used to enhance the learning of the class and the students.
So, instead of having students answer questions that can be found on the Internet, design questions on the analysis and evaluation levels. It is also recommended to have many versions of the same exam to be less possible for them to have all the same exercises.
Although students and teachers face some problems with online teaching/learning, but it has been a great experience that helped us determine how important is technology in human lives.
ReplyDeleteThank you Asmaa for highlighting the final point related to cheating in the online learning. While nowadays many educational institutions are facing this issue , there’s many apps and tools teachers can use to detect/avoid cheating in the online assessments.For example, “ Secure Browser Technology ” is an app that prevents students from opening any other window while the online examination process is going on, it is allowed to access only the examination window.
ReplyDeleteTrue Asmaa! What I wanna add is that even traditional teaching/learning has lots of challenges and problems but maybe we got used it it as normal situations. It was an effective experience despite all the challenges. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteYou are right in some points concerning the technical issues and cheating in distance learning, but let's not deny the unique experience we had while shifting into online learning. For me, it was a great journey added to my profession as a teacher including acquiring new methods and models in teaching. in other words, both e-learning and traditional learning have their challenges in some places.
ReplyDeleteOnline teaching has it's negative side Asmaa regardless it benefits us through this pandemic. I will add to what you said that we as teachers should know how to use technology in a good manner in which we can pass these challenges.
ReplyDeleteThat's right. Distance teaching and learning is still not an easy task to be done. We are still facing from two years ago the same challenges and obstacles. Students are being highly affected by these obstacles. There should be some improvements because a whole generation is being affected.
ReplyDeleteTechnical issues are the most interrupted issues we face while teaching online since these issues might distract the teacher and the students and the teacher might not be able to complete the session and these issues are mostly happen during online teaching.
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