The ManicaPost
Friday Lessons With Uncle Jay
ARE you facing any challenges with online learning?
The expansion of the internet and accessibility has led to an increase in the demand for online learning across the world.
We all know that online learning is attracting more and more students for better learning experiences.
But many of them encounter challenges that can cause hindrance in their learning.
The benefits are getting suppressed by the challenges during their learning process.
Here are some of the challenges faced by students and teachers along with the suggestions to overcome them.
Adaptability
Students find it difficult to adapt to an online learning environment immediately after traditional classroom learning.
Due to the sudden change, they are not able to adapt to the commuter based learning.
Students who have been always studying in the traditional classroom mindset are not able to focus on online platforms. It is important for them to accept the new learning environment with an open mind.
How to overcome the challenge?
Nowadays adaptive learning is using Artificial intelligence to adjust the content according to individual needs. It helps in providing personalised courses to identify their weaknesses and strengths for better learning outcomes.
Technical issues
Many students are not well equipped with a high internet connection that is required for online learning. Due to this, they face problems in going live for virtual learning and other platforms that require internet connection.
They face technical issues as they are not much aware of technology and computer applications. A slow and high internet connection can play an important role in how quickly you can attend the class and do not miss any live sessions.
There is a possibility of poor connectivity if you find difficulty in downloading some information related to the subject, blurred videos, etc.
How to overcome the challenge?
You just need to find a high-speed internet connection at your home. And know where you can get technical support for your connection and other technical issues related to software and tools for effective learning.
Computer knowledge
Lack of computer education is a major concern in today’s world. There are many students who still cannot operate basic computers with MS word and PowerPoint.
And whenever some technical issues emerge, they find it difficult to solve the problem in such a scenario. They face difficulties with live classes, usage of appropriate icons, MS office, communication-related apps and websites, browsing study materials, etc.
Sometimes they do not know technology proficiency like login, live classes, creating and submitting work, communicating with teachers and friends.
How to overcome the challenge?
Students should be provided access to support devices that can help them solve technical problems via call, email or live chat. You should pay attention to your instructor during the process of solving the issues.
Time management
In many cases students find difficulty in managing their time with online learning. Online learning is completely new for them and requires intensive work.
They need a scheduled planner to manage their time in an effective manner. Online learning provides flexible time unlike traditional classrooms. But some face difficulties in adjusting to the time required for online learning.
How to overcome the challenge?
Time management is the most important factor in online learning. It needs time and effort for better learning outcomes. You should know the factors that can affect your timings during the learning process.
Avoid Distractions – Try to avoid distractions that can affect your learning. There are many platforms that can engage you for entertainment and communication. But make sure that you set time for breaks and focus on learning as scheduled to avoid missing live classes or sessions.
Create To-Do List — You can prepare a list of activities on an everyday basis. Try to break down large activities into smaller ones for better learning outcomes. Use this list to tackle each task. Make sure that you adhere to the list and establish the routine that can make time management practices easy.
Seek help — To manage time during online learning seek help from your parents, friends and families. So that you will not miss out on learning and at the same time work will be done.
Avoid Multitasking – Do not try to take up multiple tasks at the same time. Complete one task at a time as it can make your work less effective and productive.
Self motivation
Students start losing hope once they find difficulty in online learning. It requires motivation to complete tasks and engage students with their learning. Lack of motivation is a common challenge for all students.
How to overcome the challenge?
Involve yourself — You should show up for all the activities and learning during the sessions. Make sure that you log in every day, check for the status and appear in all the sessions and discussions. Connect with your friends and teachers for asking and sharing information.
Schedule time for learning — You have to stick to a study plan for effective learning. Take a break and resume back to learning with the same interest and enthusiasm.
Stay positive — Make sure that you are positive towards online learning. Make use of the time in the best way and gain knowledge for better learning outcomes.
Distraction
Learning from home is an amazing experience. You might expect things around you to be like a school campus. But at home things are different for example, you might want a massive classroom, parks, playgrounds, canteens, friends, teachers around you to guide and learn.
But with online learning, you have to manage everything in one room with parents around you. You can be easily distracted by small things at home.
How to overcome the challenge?
You should inform your parents and friends about the time of online learning so that there will be no distractions from their side. Restrict the study area for others to come during live sessions and video calls.
Make sure you relax in the breaks set in the time table. In this way, you will concentrate on learning and spend quality time with your friends and family.
Learning styles
Most of the students have learned in the physical classroom. Online learning can make you adapt to different styles of learning. There are some students who can adapt to these styles quickly but what about the students who need time?
In such cases, they lack concentration, inability to understand the live classes, difficulty in creating projects and assignments using technology.
How to overcome the challenge?
To get better learning outcomes, it is important to understand the learning styles. You can learn through interaction, visual presentations, audio classes or written notes. Follow your own learning style that helps in enhancing your learning experience.
Communication
Students lack effective communication skills during online learning. Teachers give assignments for improving reading and writing skills but there is a possibility that they might not be able to write so convincingly that educators understand the concept behind their assignments.
There are some students who feel shy to communicate with their teachers and friends due to the new model of learning. It might happen due to lack of interest, poor technological skills with apps and video calls or unable to express themselves via live chats, emails or text messages.
How to overcome the challenge?
You should become aware of the importance of communication for better learning. Online learning enhances your learning experience.
It provides a platform for communication and interaction with others. In this way, you are able to learn from them and improve their knowledge and skills. If you have any issues in communication, then seek help from teachers and friends. Ask them tools that can help you improve your communication skills. You read, write and interact for better communication.
Virtual engagement
Online classes help teachers to provide reading material, assignments, communication via email, live chats or messages and delivering content by live sessions, presentations, recorded videos or lectures for the students.
In spite of all these activities, still some students do not find engaging compared to a traditional one. Students find it difficult to communicate in person who struggles with understanding concepts. Many times these students do not even approach teachers to clear their doubts.
How to overcome the challenge?
You can communicate with your teachers in private to clear doubts either through virtual learning platforms or calls. Your teachers might be able to help you out more clearly.
And they can help you with some of the easy reading materials that are simple to understand. You can also take extra time with your teachers and friends after the online classes for a better understanding of the subject.
Feedback
Every student needs feedback for their performance during the learning process so that they can improve their learning abilities. They are not only observed during the tests or exams but also for each assignment and project.
Research reveals that the students hardly visit their assignments to check their suggestions and comments. The feedback model with respect to online will be difficult for them to understand and implement.
How to overcome the challenge?
You can approach your teachers for feedback related to your performance. Teachers can give your personalized guidance for improvement and identify your weaknesses and strengths.
You can improve your learning pattern based on the feedback. Unless you receive feedback from teachers, there are chances of less improvement in your learning.
