Online education during Covid

Digital education has proven to be one of the most popular educational tools during the Covid pandemic throughout the world. As a result, education has changed dramatically, with the significant rise in e-learning, whereby teaching is undertaken remotely and on digital platforms. Experts believe that online learning has been shown to increase retention of information, and take less time, meaning the changes that coronavirus have caused might be here to stay.

To ensure that learning continues from home during school closures, the government here is implementing effective remote learning programmes using TV, radio, mobile phone and Internet platforms. As part of this collaboration, UNICEF will support parents and caregivers with information on supporting children with learning at home.

One of the tragedies of infectious diseases is the human cost incurred by our students and teachers. Also, the nationwide surge in the virus has affected more than 90 per cent of enrolled students by restrictions imposed by educational institutions.

 Schools around the world are closed due to COVID-19. More than 1.2 billion children worldwide are out of the classroom. As a result, education has changed dramatically and is being driven by the rise of e-learning.

Accessibility, affordability, flexibility, learning pedagogy, life-long learning, and policy are some of the arguments related to online pedagogy. It is said that online mode of learning is easily accessible and can even reach to rural and remote areas. It is considered to be a relatively cheaper mode of education in terms the overall cost of institution-based learning. Flexibility is another interesting aspect of online learning; a learner can schedule or plan their time for completion of courses available online. Combining face-to-face lectures with technology gives rise to blended learning and flipped classrooms; this type of learning environment can increase the learning potential of the students. Students can learn anytime and anywhere, thereby developing new skills in the process leading to life-long learning. The authorities also recognizes the increasing importance of online learning in this dynamic world.

The severe explosion of the pandemic can make us add one more argument in favour of online learning, that is, online learning serves as a panacea in the time of crisis.

A lot of issues are attached to online education but we cannot ignore the benefits of it in times of such crisis. We can always have solutions to fix these difficulties. Technical difficulties can be solved through prerecording video lectures, testing the content, and always keeping a Plan B ready so that the teaching–learning process is not hampered.

Major world events are often turning points for rapid innovation. A clear example is the rise of e-commerce post-SARS. Whether this applies to e-learning post-Covid19 is still unknown. What has been uncovered by this epidemic is the importance of spreading knowledge across borders, businesses, and all parts of society. If online learning technology can play a role here, it is our responsibility to explore its full potential.

The writer is a student of American International University Bangladesh