The New Age of Virtual Learning — Disadvantages and Challenges

With the switch to virtual learning, some students may find it harder to concentrate, lack motivation, and have trouble adapting to the new format of tests and assignments. One can be held back by technology, and some things are lost in virtual lessons due to the absence of face-to-face interaction. For instance, students are not under educator supervision, and it is easy for them to turn off their cameras and ignore class. Students can also struggle to communicate with teachers, which is one of the bigger concerns of the virtual classroom. Students are unable to ask questions to teachers privately online and get a quick response. Although they can ask through emails, response times can delay student progress. Additionally, being at home often presents more distractions, making learning difficult for those who struggle with procrastination. The online learning environment suits individuals with strong time management and technology skills, but can be very challenging for those who learn better with hands-on experience.

According to a recent survey carried out by Common Sense Media, the majority of students struggle more with online learning. 61% of students reported falling behind in classes due to the pandemic and the sudden switch to virtual. Many students were also concerned about the lack of communication on virtual platforms. In an article published by New York Times, students and teachers shared their thoughts on virtual learning. The consensus among teachers was that virtual learning reduces participation and engaging conversations among students. They commented that virtual students performed more poorly than former students and also mentioned that lower income students have difficulty obtaining the required technology for online classes.

Although virtual learning can be very challenging, there are still ways to work around these issues and to still do well in this new environment. One of the largest issues with virtual learning is being able to pay attention. So, it is helpful to find a nice, quiet and clean area to work in, and put anything that can distract you away such as phones. It’s also good to take breaks, as they can help increase productivity and help you reduce stress. However, it is crucial to stay conscious about how much relaxation you allow yourself. Waking up a few minutes before class and slumping into your chair with pyjamas and blankets will most likely end up with dozing off and distracted. Instead, maintaining a routine with things that you did for in-person school, like changing out of pyjamas, eating breakfast, and going on a run, can improve the quality of your note taking, attention and understanding of the material. This is beneficial because keeping the consistency between your in school and virtual routine will help you be as attentive as you were before the sudden lockdown and continue to have the energy to be clear headed makes the lesson easier to grasp.

​ Through these methods, you can alleviate some of the difficulties that come with virtual learning and increase your preparedness for the transition back to in-person schooling.

Bibliography:

http://edmediagvu.weebly.com/disadvantages.html

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360131508001450

https://e-student.org/disadvantages-of-e-learning/

https://www.uis.edu/ion/resources/tutorials/online-education-overview/strengths-and-weaknesses/

https://www.edweek.org/leadership/is-online-learning-worse-than-being-in-school-majority-of-teens-say-yes/2020/09

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/23/education/learning/coronavirus-teachers-students-remote-learning.html