EVENTUALITY OF DIGITAL ONLINE

LEARNING TO STUDENTS

Copas, Antonio Alberto A.

NOVEMBER 2022
 INTRODUCTION
This study abstracted on the interventions made by myself to address, Eventuality
of Digital Online Learning to students and teachers. This part of presentation
presents the background of the study, the theoretical framework, the rational of
the study, and the affirmation of the problem.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Digital learning is an umbrella term, the broadest term on the list. It means any
type of learning that includes using digital technology. That includes students
taking courses online, of course. But it also includes students doing internet
research or watching online videos in a classroom and teachers using digital tools
like smart boards and tablets. Nearly any higher education course will include
some type of digital learning.

Online Learning
This is another broad term, but slightly narrower than digital learning. It means
that the majority of the coursework will be done through the internet — through
forums, shared documents, email, chat, etc. However, it doesn’t imply that there
is no face-to-face interaction between students and the teacher. It can include
doing coursework in a classroom or at a distance, so long as communication is
primarily online.

E-Learning
Also called “virtual learning,” e-learning generally refers to a course taken entirely
over the internet. The teacher and students do not meet face to face. All course
work and communication is handled via email, forums, chat, or video
conferencing. Some institutions refer to this type of course as a “fully online”
course.

Distance learning
This term is commonly used as a synonym for e-learning. The term came into
popularity to emphasize the idea that geographical distance is not a barrier to
learning. Students from different cities, states, and countries can all take the same
course together.
Blended Learning
Blended learning refers to a mix between a traditional classroom and an e-
learning or online learning course. Students are required to be physically present
for a predetermined number of classes, but the majority of coursework is still
done online. For example, students might have assignments due on Monday and
Wednesday that are submitted online, but are expected to attend a Friday class
on campus.

Online Course Materials

This is another umbrella term that can refer to any texts, syllabuses, discussion
forums and other resources made available for students online.

Digital Curriculum
Digital curriculum is more specific; it refers specifically to the texts, lectures, tests,
and multimedia components that are used for instruction. In other words, digital
curriculum refers to a collection of resources that together constitute a complete
online course.

E-Textbook
Finally, e-textbook or digital textbook is the narrowest term; it refers to a single
work that has been made available in an e-reader compatible format.

Digital Learning: The Present and Future of Education

It only took one generation for digital learning to be born, evolve, and become the
norm for higher education. Students today expect courses to have at least an
online component, if not to be completely online.
Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with digital
learning. It’s up to teachers to help students maximize the former and minimize
the latter. With a firm grasp on the concepts and terminology associated with
digital learning, teachers can be better equipped to help students succeed.
PROBLEMS,ISSUES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ONLINE LEARNING
Lack of Motivation in Students
It was thought that online learning would be the new interactive and
immersive method to teach the new generation of students. Though,
the results speak on the contrary. Endless oceans of texts, quizzes,
frequent learning assignments and MCQ’s have led to students losing
motivation to keep revisiting the learning portal.
Students complain of lacking motivation due to a lack of interpersonal
touch between the students and the teacher in the online classes. The
need for physical interaction between the students is also a necessity
for maintaining engagement which the online learning methodology
has no answers for yet. Institutions need to deliver interactive lessons
to students.
Infrastructural Problems
Though online learning doesn’t require huge buildings, big classrooms,
chairs, tables, blackboards, chalk doesn’t mean there are no
infrastructural requirements. The need for a computer, adequate
software, constant electricity and high-bandwidth internet is quite a big
demand.
In most developed nations, this infrastructure is available to the public
through public libraries if they cannot personally afford it. But for
developing countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and many
others, this quality of infrastructure is only available to a select few
percent of the population.
Digital Literacy and Technical Issues
Though the new generation is proficient in working with computers
doesn’t necessarily translate to Digital Literacy. To proficiently learn
through an online system requires understanding the workings of
multiple software, which presents a huge learning curve. Also, students
need to understand online communication etiquette and know student
rights and responsibilities in an online learning environment.
A bigger problem is with constant technical issues faced by both
teachers and students on these platforms. These problems often
require technical support to rectify, causing frequent disruption in the
learning flow.
Lack of In-person Interaction
Humans are social animals. The growth of the internet hinged on the
principle that humans will always be curious to interact and know more
about one another. That said, on a psychological level, virtual
interaction cannot mimic that of a physical one.
The physical presence inside a classroom with a teacher and fellow
peers often leads to an atmosphere that can’t be replicated through
virtual means. The physical model also ensures discipline as students
cannot switch off webcams and doze off. Physical classrooms also allow
for teachers to provide more personal attention to each student’s
needs. However, interactive eLearning modules can help improve
student engagement.
Lack of EdTech and Online Learning Options for Special Needs
of Students
The segment of students who have been completely ignored in the
evolution of online learning is students with special needs. Special
needs students need a more personalized and hands-on method of
teaching.
Though technology has improved drastically, it is still heavily dependent
on the need for an expert or a teacher to be there full-time to guide the
student through the tasks. These problems have caused special needs
students to fall behind others in their academic pursuits.
Course Structure and Quality
The shift to online learning and other modern teaching tools was
thought to bring about a modernization even in the course curriculum
and structure. Sadly, that hasn’t been the case. Institutions have
retained their obsolete course curriculum and structure even after
shifting online. With companies such as Google and Tesla choosing to
forego college as a prerequisite for employment, students are
reconsidering college as a whole.
Online resources such as YouTube, Goggle, Skillshare, Udemy and
others offer better content on these subjects for cheaper or even free.
These platforms also let them pick and choose their subjects, making
the learning structure highly flexible. This should cause Educational
Institutions to rethink their approach to teaching as a whole.
Lack of Accredited Degrees From Top Universities
Education has more to do about branding than learning. It matters
more from where you studied than what you studied. In such a market
where the brand is a huge factor, the online learning sphere is yet to
convince prestigious higher learning institutions to offer their courses
through online/ distance learning modes.
The online courses for degrees are often not accredited and mostly not
recognized by the job market or other institutions. Though schools have
embraced the online learning system, the higher educational
institutions and the governments have yet to recognize them as
legitimate methods of obtaining a professional degree.
 Abundant Distractions, Lack of Discipline
With recurrent technical issues, bandwidth problems and monotonous
lectures, online attendance has seen a drastic dip. Most students find
learning online boring and often complain of lacking the motivation to
make it through a class. Even teachers often complain of a lack of tools
to make the classes engaging, leading to a loss of interest from both
parties.
With the lack of any accountability in the online teaching method,
education quality often becomes compromised. Coupled with the free
use of laptops and mobile phones during classes, distractions have
become countless, often coming at the cost of focusing during class.
Conclusion
Where there is a problem, there is always a solution. The current Edu
Tech system in the online learning segment has many shortcomings not
limited to the list above. That said, the segment is relatively young and
even so has improved leaps and bounds. The system is changing and
evolving rapidly and is soon to become the norm in the education
industry.
The online education world has multiple upsides and will make
education cheaper and more widely available. Gone are the days of
fixed curriculums and rigid subject choices as the new generation of
students demands greater freedom in their education. Yet, the biggest
hurdle that EdTech has to overcome is replicating the charm of in-
person learning and making the experience more immersive as
technical difficulties often get smoothened out over time.
PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
Existing lesson plans don’t translate easily to distance learning
Solution:
One of the top homeschooling problems (and solutions for success)
involves translating existing lesson plans. Experienced teachers likely
have an assortment of lesson plans designed for in-person learning but
may not know how to teach them online. Proven in-person protocols
and assignments can be adapted for distance learning by breaking them
into a mix of Live Lesson sessions, active learning, and other
assignments.
The entire school day doesn’t have to be spent on video calls or Live
Lesson sessions. Consider putting students into smaller groups for a
project or having them work before the Live Lesson session. This allows
them to ask questions to ensure they understand the concepts being
presented. And get creative! Update your lesson plan to make the most
of distance learning and find new, exciting online learning solutions. For
example, high school students can take advantage of educational
virtual reality and learn biology through the World of Cells app, made
by Pearson Education.
Communicating class schedules, expectations, and other
important information
Solution:
Another one of the most common distance learning problems and
solutions is feeling scattered and disorganized. This is why having a
home base for important information is critical during distance
learning. Choose a home base where students and parents can access a
consistent and detailed schedule, assignments, and other updates.
At Connections Academy, this is done within our online learning portal,
which varies by state. Usually this is your learning management system,
Google Classroom, email, or a class web page. Communicate important
information using a variety of methods. Some teachers also include a
Slack group, message board, or chat room where information is shared.
Creating a reliable place where students and parents can go for
answers provides flexibility and promotes independent learning. Want
to make a flexible class schedule for your students? Check out our five
student sample schedules and download our blank template for
yourself!
Getting to know students while teaching online classes
Solution:
One of the biggest questions we hear from teachers is about building a
class community without meeting in person. Things like pronouncing a
student’s name correctly and learning about their interests promote a
sense of belonging with distance learning. Teachers are thinking outside
the box and using virtual icebreaker activities at the beginning of every
class to help students feel comfortable engaging in online class
discussions. Some are creating custom avatars, like Bitmoji, for the
entire class as a creative solution of distance education, adding a fun
visual element and allowing students to showcase their personalities.
Finding the most effective technology for distance learning
Solution:
In online classes, opportunities to integrate technology are almost
endless, which can create both distance learning problems and
solutions. Innovative educators leverage technology like virtual
whiteboards, discussion forums, interactive notebooks, surveys, and
videos to teach their curriculum and communicate with students.
Remember: technology should always be appropriate to the grade
level, and it’s important to give students time to learn new tools. At
Connections Academy, we use the Pearson Online Classroom learning
portal. Younger students only spend 15‒30 percent of their time on the
computer, whereas high school students spend more time on it.
Some students lose interest quickly
Solution:
One of the top challenges of online distance learning is the shorter
attention span for screen time. Therefore, it’s essential to set realistic
expectations for how long online lessons should be. In virtual
classrooms, planning shorter lessons helps students stay focused and
allows them to take breaks when they need them. To keep students’
attention, especially during Live Lesson sessions, teachers can
encourage participation using polls, chat features, have the class take a
virtual field trip to the moon, and even turning lessons into games by
awarding participation points. By gamifying participation, a lecture
turns into a fun and engaging learning activity.
Students have different learning styles
Solution:
One of the benefits of online learning is that it gives teachers
opportunities to provide extra support to students who need it. To
improve learning outcomes, Connections Academy teachers take
advantage of one-on-one time for students who need more help.
Teachers can use private surveys or ratings to identify students who
may benefit from alternative assignments or additional explanations of
key concepts. Taking the time to fine-tune learning methods pays off,
especially with distance education.