Introduction
Advances in technology have led to the advent of online learning practices. Educational institutions are now investing in distance learning to allow regular school activities amidst natural pandemics such as COVID-19. The learning approach presents various benefits to society — more educated individuals and social and economic development.
For an individual, online learning allows one to take multiple courses and have flexibility at work and school. Meanwhile, online learning compromises social morals through the encouragement of academic malpractices such as cheating. Moreover, the learning technique is associated with high costs but poor academic results. Therefore, educational institutions must adopt mechanisms that maximize online learning benefits to encumber its detriments.
The advent of the internet and information communication technology (ICT) has revolutionized learning activities. Many colleges and universities prefer the use of the internet for online learning during natural pandemics such as COVID-19. Consequently, educational institutions have developed custom-made online learning portals that meet their unique needs.
The learning technique takes place in various forms including synchronous and asynchronous learning. Integration of technology into learning activities is associated with many benefits such as achievement of optimal school-life balance. However, the learning technique can be detrimental to student’s life and society in general. While online learning is beneficial for knowledge acquisition, it is associated with cons that are detrimental to social and economic growth.
Emergence of COVID-19
Natural pandemics can be detrimental to educational activities, leading to shut down of many schools, colleges, and universities. COVID-19 was one of the natural pandemics that negatively affected learning activities. The disease affected millions of people at a global level, leading to the need of closing educational institutions and other areas where human beings interacted.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) (2023), the virus has attacked about 758,390,000 as of February 27, 2023. Many government and non-governmental organizations such as WHO have taken effective steps to curb the pandemic. Currently, the effects of the pandemic are the least felt since it has been brought under control.
Impact on Education
COVID-19 affected educational institutions in various ways, lowering the quality of education offered. The disease led to the deaths of many people, including the learners’ relatives and close family members. Consequently, cases of depression among learners were high, making it difficult for them to concentrate in class.
Additionally, the pandemic was associated with tough measures such as the need for social distancing and sanitization. The measure had financial implications for schools, which had to spend more to ensure that their students were not affected by the virus (Harefa & Sihombing, 2021). Furthermore, the pandemic led to the closure of educational institutions to avoid the spreading of the virus. Therefore, there was a need for strategic planning among schools to counter the effects of the pandemic.
Various actions were taken by the government and schools to reduce the negative impacts of COVID-19. Institutions of higher learning channeled their resources to ICT which would enhance virtual learning. There was an increased number of online learning activities among schools (Papademetriou et al., 2022). Meanwhile, the government promoted research activities on the virus, leading to the advent of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Consequently, educational institutions made it compulsory for students to be vaccinated against the virus (Al Rawashdeh et al., 2021). The use of the virus allowed society to bring the pandemic under control, thus, resumption of normal activities. Although virtual learning was a strategy against COVID-19, many institutions still adopt it due to its benefits.
Importance of Technology on Learning
COVID-19 helped colleges and other educational institutions realize the importance of integrating technology into learning activities. While technology was initially majorly used for research activities, learning institutions used it for many other activities amidst the pandemic. Technological integration presented various benefits to students, teachers, and other educational stakeholders (Li & Wong, 2021).
Firstly, it promoted personalized learning opportunities for students since it allowed 24/7 access to educational resources. The students tailored their educational plan and would do research at convenient times. Secondly, there were enhanced research activities since the students could access online resources without limitation. Consequently, technology is associated with excellent academic performance.
Thirdly, technology use in education during COVID-19 drove curiosity among students. During online classes, the students actively engaged with their instructors for a better understanding of complex topics. Active learning promoted critical and creative thinking among students (Li & Wong, 2021).
Fourthly, teacher productivity and efficiency were improved through increased student support activities. Many teachers opted to engage their students individually since the virtual learning activities promoted flexibility. Therefore, the teachers could address the problems facing their specific students, promoting better class performance. Lastly, technology allowed analysis of students’ academic performance and the consequent adoption of effective learning approaches. Online learning was the major outcome of technology integration into education activities.
Online Learning
Online learning is a multifaceted teaching method that is associated with the advent of ICT. In this learning technique, students learn and interact in a fully virtual environment through the use of a computer and other communication devices (Papademetriou et al., 2022). The use of online learning began in the 1990s when the internet was developed and its consequent e-learning platforms (Hervás-Gómez et al., 2021).
The method of learning is most prevalent among the institutions of higher learning including universities and colleges. However, the emergence of COVID-19 necessitated the use of e-learning platforms in other educational institutions such as junior and senior high schools. Therefore, online learning has revolutionized educational activities in all learning institutions.
Theoretical Perspectives
Various theories of learning can be used to explain the need and method of imparting knowledge to students. Educational stakeholders have adopted theories of learning to develop an effective online learning environment. Consequently, there is a need for an e-learning environment that is as advantageous as the physical one. An understanding of educational theories assists teachers in designing and implementing a productive and beneficial virtual learning environment (Maki, 2018). Behaviorism and constructivism are approaches that can be adopted to improve online learning activities.
The behaviorist approach is applied when the learning experience is based on a stimulus and a response. Consequently, behaviors that meet educational goals are rewarded while those that fail are ignored or corrected (Li & Wong, 2021). Students who excellently perform are given rewards and those who fail are subjected to corrective mechanisms such as remedial lessons.
Meanwhile, constructivism is applied when there is a need for students to interpret real-world experiences. For instance, they can be asked to adduce the effects of COVID-19 on their educational activities. After that, the students can construct meanings from their experiences and utilize creative thinking to come up with solutions. Adoption of behaviorism and constructivism leads to a meaningful learning environment as summarized in figure 1.0.
Types of Online Learning and their Need
Synchronous online learning is the most popular kind of e-learning among educational institutions. This kind of e-learning requires instructors to interact with all students at the same time. Synchronous learning is similar to webinars where a speaker interacts with their audience as what happens in a physical meeting (Maki, 2018).
The students, and participants, can interact with others by using features such as text and audio chats. Platforms such as Google Meet and Microsoft Teams are common platforms used for synchronous online learning (Hervás-Gómez et al., 2021). Consequently, the students can ask questions that can be responded to by their classmates and teachers.
Synchronous online learning is adopted for various reasons that are beneficial to students and teachers. The method promotes real-time distance learning, helping teachers record students’ activeness and class attendance rate. Additionally, unlike other types of online learning, synchronous learning removes the social isolation that is associated with distance learning (Hervás-Gómez et al., 2021).
The learning method promotes teacher-student relationships since they can interact in real-time. Furthermore, synchronous learning allows quick information dissemination with equal results. While online learning can have negative impacts on students’ and teachers’ social interactions, synchronous learning counters such detriment.
Asynchronous Online Learning
Unlike synchronous learning, asynchronous learning occurs in real-time but without real-time communication. Therefore, instructors send pre-recorded and pre-planned content to students who study at their convenient time. Contrasted with synchronous learning, asynchronous one allows students to independently study (Sinecen, 2018). Many educational institutions prefer this e-learning style since it is effective for self-paced learning activities. Students who are doing part-time work and studies significantly benefit from asynchronous learning.
The need for asynchronous online learning is necessitated by different organizational objectives. Institutions with a student who have strict schedules and time constraints integrate asynchronous learning (Sinecen, 2018). The learning method allows the students to fit educational activities into their tight schedules.
Additionally, asynchronous learning allows the students to review the learning materials sent to them by the instructors. Consequently, the students have access to sufficient content needed to pass examinations and gain the most from classes. Furthermore, this type of online learning is more affordable than others. Students who have financial difficulties can enroll in asynchronous online learning classes while working to meet their basic needs.
Computer Assisted Learning (CAL)
Teaching can be complex especially when the class concepts need intense reading and construction. CAL is an e-learning method where computers are used to give support and aid classes, training, and educational lessons (Alam, 2022). The concept of CAL is sometimes referred to as Computer Based Learning, Computer Assisted Instruction, and Computer Managed Instruction (Zhang et al., 2022).
Unlike other types of learning, CAL is the oldest type, dating back to the 1960s when people used record players as a learning tool (Alam, 2022). Tutorials, game-like learning, demonstrations, and practices, are the common forms of CAL. Instructors have the freedom of choosing a form that best fits their students’ needs.
CAL is used by educational institutions because of various reasons and benefits. Some lessons, especially technical ones, require an easier way to teach complex topics. For instance, teaching quantum physics may require demonstrations and tutorials on how the students can apply the concepts in real-life situations. Moreover, some schools aim at personalizing lessons for each student for better understanding. As such the students gain the most from their teachers since their problems are met. CAL can be integrated with other online learning approaches for enhanced learning outcomes.
Computer-Managed Learning (CML)
The advent of online learning has led to the need to automate instructors’ roles in classes. CML, unlike CAL, involves the assessment and administration of each student’s learning progress by a computer. The concept of artificial intelligence is applied in the CML form of online teaching (Arastoopour et al., 2022). The system accesses students’ information available in databases and utilizes specific parameters and conditions to administer lessons (Alam, 2022). Although the instructors are removed from this type of e-learning, they are involved in setting the parameters and conditions for students to advance to their next level of learning.
CML is vital for students, teachers, and other educational stakeholders because of its various pros. CML allows instructors to access students’ academic progress without meeting with them physically. Therefore, CML can be effective where the student population is more than what instructors can generally handle (Arastoopour et al., 2022).
Moreover, unlike other forms of e-learning, CML promotes assignments’ record keeping, enrollments, and any other pertinent data information. Furthermore, the learning techniques allow the development of better learning strategies since the computer analyses students’ strengths and weaknesses. There is a promotion of excellent class outcomes through the use of CML in online learning.
Open Schedule and Fixed-Time Learning
While in some institutions learning is designed in such a manner that students can learn at their leisure, fixed-time learning is common in other colleges and universities. Open-schedule learning involves instructors giving set deadlines for a self-paced learning experience (Kuntz & Manokore, 2022).
Meanwhile, for fixed learning, pre-determined content is given within a specific time range to all students at the same time (Kuntz & Manokore, 2022). Unlike, fixed-time learning, open-schedule learning promotes the adoption of different learning styles by the students. Therefore, the choice of either an open schedule or fixed-time learning depends on the student’s needs and behaviors.
Various reasons inspire instructors to adopt either of the two forms of e-learning approaches. Open-scheduled learning is ideal for students who love learning on their own (Arastoopour et al., 2022). The method promotes flexibility and freedom for self-paced learning by the students.
In contrast, fixed-time learning is effective for students who lack self-discipline and motivation to work on their own. The method, additionally, gives immediate instructors feedback and a real feel to the classroom experience. While different types of online learning techniques exist, instructors should carefully examine each and adopt the one that will most likely meet their students’ needs.
Pros of Online Learning
Online learning has revolutionized learning approaches in institutions of higher learning. The use of the internet and other technologies to offer lessons and assignments has improved the educational lifestyles of many students and instructors globally. The benefits of learning technology can be viewed from two dimensions: individuals’ and society’s perspectives. The individual perspective involves the advantages to the students and instructors. Meanwhile, the societal perspective includes the benefit gained by schools and communities from the use of e-learning for educational activities.
Individual’s Perspective
Flexibility and Convenience
Physical learning is associated with the need for students to travel for long distances to attend colleges and education. For instance, an African student who has been admitted to a U.S. college will have to take a flight to the U.S. for their studies. Online learning requires students to attend classes from any place on earth as long as they are connected to the internet. Elimination of travel requirements makes e-learning convenient (Arastoopour et al., 2022). Additionally, with online learning, the instructors and students do not need to do current activities to attend school. Instead, they can customize the lessons to fit into their tight schedules. Convenience and flexibility make online learning a preferred choice by students.
Better School-Life Balance
School and individual routine activities can be conflicting at times. For instance, it is difficult for an athlete student to attend training daily while showing up for physical classes. However, various types of online learning allow students to learn in their leisure time. Open schedules and asynchronous online learning to involve the availability of pre-recorded course content to students. Therefore, students can review the learning materials when they are done with their daily activities. Such a school-life balance is significant for the student’s mental well-being and performance.
Self-Paced and Directed Learning
Asynchronous online learning requires the students to learn at their own pace for a better understanding of course contents. The self-paced attribute of online learning can be beneficial to students since it does not require them to sacrifice their jobs or family responsibilities for the sake of classes (Arastoopour et al., 2022). Self-paced learning promotes self-direction for learning activities such as attending classes.
Therefore, the students have full control of their learning activities and can choose when and what to learn. Moreover, nature allows the students to focus on content that they feel benefits them most. Lecturers and professors can be sought in case the students fail to understand a given class concept. Online learning is beneficial to students who want a further understanding of a specific class concept but with a tight schedule.
Self-Motivation
While instructors play a crucial role in promoting the best performance among students, self-motivation is a valuable skill. Online learning limits the number of times students interact with their instructors (Kuntz & Manokore, 2022). For instance, open schedule, CML, and synchronous learning techniques allow the students to receive pre-recorded course content.
Therefore, it is upon the students to review the materials shared for their convenience. As a result, self-motivation is encouraged since the students aim at performing better for their good and not their instructors’. Self-motivation among students is crucial as it can promote excellent performance in other areas such as work.
Time-Management Skills
Time management skill is of the essence since it promotes discipline and consequent effective execution of other activities. Time-fixed online learning encourages students to attend classes during specific times. Consequently, they need to effectively manage their time to accommodate their lessons.
Additionally, self-paced online learning techniques need effective time management for the students to compensate for time lost in other activities for their reading and learning. The promotion of time management among students helps them to become productive employees and leaders in their organizations of work. Therefore, online learning is significant in encouraging good leadership skills.
Virtual Collaboration Skills
Students’ interactions are crucial for their effective learning activities. Although it is believed that physical learning is more important for face-to-face collaboration, online learning improves virtual interactions (Papademetriou et al., 2022). As society develops, many organizations are considering the use of online platforms for their activities. Therefore, employees are needed to have in-depth knowledge of how to use online platforms for their communications (Arastoopour et al., 2022).
Moreover, the employees are required to successfully coordinate activities virtually without fail. Online learning introduces the students to the use of virtual learning equipment, preparing them for future employment activities. Individuals with technology know-how are in better positions of getting employed than those who do not.
Improved Research Skills
Research skills are beneficial to students since they allow them to compare vast academic knowledge and make conclusions. Some form of e-learning such as CAL and synchronous learning involves the instructors to some limitations. Therefore, learners are expected to decipher content on their own, and at their convenience. The self-paced learning encourages intense research activities to better understand concepts taught in class (Kuntz & Manokore, 2022). Moreover, some e-learning techniques allow the students to collaboratively do research on assigned areas by the instructors. The improved research skills are important for students critical and creative thinking.
Cost-Effectiveness
Physical learning is associated with high costs of traveling and accommodation. Flight tickets, upkeep, and renting a room in a foreign country can be expensive for international students (Maki, 2018). However, online learning requires students to only cater to tuition fees (Sinecen, 2018). The students save the amount that could be spent on flight tickets and accommodation. Moreover, online learning is flexible and can allow students to work while learning. Therefore, the learning technique is associated with cost-saving and income earning. The students who take online classes are more empowered financially than those who do not.
Society’s Perspective
Education is one of the key indicators of a society’s economic growth. Communities with highly educated individuals have low rates of unemployment compared to those without. For instance, the U.S. is one of the countries with the lowest rate of unemployment, 3.5%, due to its advanced technology (Saboori et al., 2022). Online learning has made education cost-effective since students can work while studying. Therefore, the majority of people graduating from institutions of higher learning are competitive in the job market (Strauss, 2020). Every member of society who is educated is offered a chance to get employed and meet their personal needs.
Improved Productivity at the Workplace
Online learning is associated with various skills that can improve a person’s productivity and effectiveness in the workplace. Students who go through online education have excellent research skills which can be applied when solving organizational problems. For instance, a human resource student has the know-how of the department through intensive research activities (Deming, 2022).
Additionally, the use of technology in communicating improves one’s social interaction skills on virtual platforms. The skills come in handy when one is deployed in an organization that fully operates online (Strauss, 2020). Furthermore, virtual collaborative skills gained through online learning improve a person’s collaboration activities at the workplace. Society benefits from improved productivity in the workplace since there is assured social and economic growth.
Improved Social Networking
Every society is anchored on effective social interactions among its members. Social institutions such as the government depend on the quality of social interactions among community members. Online learning brings together people from different cultural backgrounds in the same class. Additionally, the integration of collaborative activities such as group work which are conducted virtually enhances social networking.
Consequently, society benefits in various ways such as the development of unity of purpose among members (Deming, 2022). Social networking furthers social cohesion which is important for peace-keeping in a community. Therefore, online learning promotes social unity and understanding by enhancing networking activities.
Promotion of Diversity
Online learning involves interactions among students from diverse cultural backgrounds. For instance, many African students attend U.S. and Asian colleges, allowing them to learn about and embrace foreign cultures. Diversity is significant for society in some ways that are beneficial to the students. Diversity helps reduce racism and other forms of discrimination that are detrimental to social growth and development (Papademetriou et al., 2022).
Moreover, a diverse learning environment is associated with colorful experiences which promotes society’s success in various dimensions. Furthermore, a more balanced world is built since different nations and cultures are represented. Diverse social interactions augment social activities that allow students to embrace other cultures.
Access to Education
An increased number of educated community members is crucial for social development. While physical learning is associated with high costs including accommodation, online learning is cheap and affordable (Maki, 2018). Therefore, there are increased opportunities for the majority of society members to learn. Improved access to education benefits society in terms of development and morality.
Educated individuals can solve major problems facing their community. Additionally, educated community members take up positions in business organizations to promote their success. There is a reduced rate of unemployment with increased social development in a highly educated society.
Reduced Carbon Foot Print
Increased use of technology plays an important role in reducing carbon emissions and consequent environmental pollution. Online learning enables learners to avoid activities that emit ozone gases into the environment. The students attend classes in the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need to use vehicles and airplanes which pollute the environment.
Additionally, online learning is associated with the use of digitized documents for examination and reading purposes (Papademetriou et al., 2022). Students who attend classes virtually are associated with paperless learning which helps conserve the environment. The benefits of e-learning are extended to environmental sustainability which promotes the well-being of living things on earth.
Cons of Online Learning
Procrastination is detrimental to personal success and excellent academic performance. Some of the e-learning techniques such as open-scheduled and synchronous learning are associated with excessive postponements by learners (Arastoopour et al., 2022). The learning methods allow teachers to share with students pre-recorded content that they can review on their own time.
While self-paced learning is advantageous, the students may keep rescheduling their learning times to later dates. Consequently, the work accumulates increasing the learning materials backlog that learners must review to perform better in their examinations (Harefa & Sihombing, 2021). Procrastination makes it difficult for learners to actively participate in class.
Online Disinhibition
Online learning is associated with anonymity in class which can dilute a learner’s reality. Unlike physical learning, e-learning encourages lesser continuous feedback between the learner and the instructors. The consequences of reduced feedback in class include irresponsible behaviors and failure to identify students’ needs. Irresponsible behaviors such as excessive absenteeism and failure to actively participate in class are promoted. The instructors and learners end up failing to achieve learning goals and objectives. Therefore, the majority of online classes are prone to failure.
Human Errors
Computers are man-made and prone to human errors which can be embarrassing for students. The laptops can crash when the students are in class, making them miss out the important information especially if the mode of online learning is fixed-time or synchronous online learning (Arastoopour et al., 2022). Additionally, the use of the computer is dependent on the availability of an electrical power supply.
Furthermore, the number of small technologies and dependencies such as cables, logins, and earphones create an opportunity for something to go wrong (Hervás-Gómez et al., 2021). While the majority of students are tech-savvies they may pay less attention to a simple plug which may make them miss out on important lessons.
Poor Social Interactions
One of the major advantages of physical learning is the ability of the students to interact with each other face-to-face. In such cases, the students can embrace each other’s culture and weaknesses. Moreover, the classes promote active participation in classes which boosts an individual’s social skills. Meanwhile, online classes inhibit active class participation and consequent social interactions. For instance, in synchronous learning the class may be huge, making it difficult for all students to actively participate during class presentations. Consequently, the students develop poor social skills which make them unable to embrace each other. Poor social interactions are detrimental to community development and growth.
Limited Understanding
While online learning can be more effective and convenient than physical one, it is limited to the kinds of lessons. Technical subjects such as engineering are too complex to be taught online. Such subjects need the students to conduct and observe practical lessons which limit students’ understanding if presented online (Arastoopour et al., 2022). Similarly, medical lessons can be prone to limited understanding if the students were to learn entirely online. Therefore, online learning is limited to social sciences which have no or less practical lessons (Hervás-Gómez et al., 2021). Medical, engineering and other technical subjects require a hybrid of physical and online classes which can be inconvenient to the students.
Society’s Perspective
Societies are guided by morals such as honesty that improve people’s interactions. The instructors play a significant role in ensuring that the students stick to social values by invigilating educational activities such as examinations. However, their roles are limited in a virtual learning environment setting since they do not physically associate with their students (Kuntz & Manokore, 2022). Consequently, there are high chances of the students engaging in examination malpractices which are unfair to the students who genuinely do their school work. Such practices corrupt the social morals of equality and honesty in society since cheating students may end up getting better employment opportunities than their honest counterparts.
High Transition Costs
Online learning can be expensive for a given society, especially during the transition from physical ones. The school will have to purchase technical equipment such as laptops, and internet devices, among others which are expensive to buy and maintain (Harefa & Sihombing, 2021). Additionally, there is a need to train instructors and learners on how to use e-learning platforms. The training activities involve specialists and professionals who are expensive to hire. Furthermore, some institutions may have unique educational needs, causing the urgency to develop a customized e-learning platform. Software engineers and system developers must be hired by such institutions to meet their needs. While online learning gives students opportunities to seek employment, it can be expensive to initially set up by learning institutions.
Limited Employee Skills
Social growth and development are anchored on productivity and effectiveness in the employment sectors. Online learning limits the acquisition of social skills by students which can be detrimental to other members of society. Failure by online educated students to embrace other people’s cultures can lead to increased racism and other forms of human discrimination. Consequently, the employment sectors can turn out to be toxic for minority groups and people from some cultures (Harefa & Sihombing, 2021). Racism and cultural discrimination are associated with mental disorders among members of society.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is one of the biggest drawbacks of online learning and can be detrimental to students at the individual level and society at large. The act involves harassment of the students the digitized learning platforms (Hervás-Gómez et al., 2021). Cyberbullying is associated with psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression. The consequences of cyberbullying can indirectly affect society through increased cases of drug and substance use. Moreover, cyberbullying can lead to increased suicide and crime rates in a given society. High rates of crimes and suicides encumber overall social and economic growth.
Laziness Among Instructors
Online learning can be driven by AI, limiting the roles of the instructors. For instance, in CAL, the teachers only play the role of setting conditions and parameters. The consequence of such integration of technology in learning is increased cases of laziness among the instructors (Kuntz & Manokore, 2022). Consequently, they may lose track of their job description, leading to increased academic failure rates in classes. Additionally, lazy instructors may exacerbate online learning drawbacks such as cyberbullying and examination malpractices. Society may end up with people who are immoral and who disrespect the laws and regulations.
Recommendation
Online learning activities have proven to be better than physical ones in some dimensions. Therefore, the educational stakeholders should implement the e-learning approach in a manner that is beneficial to the students and instructors. It is recommendable for the institutions to understand the specific needs of students and their overall learning goals before deciding on whether to offer classes online or physically. Additionally, the schools must ensure that all students have the necessary resources and skills needed to attend an online class. The institutions can achieve their objectives by properly preparing for online learning and effective transitioning of the same.
Conclusion
Online, e-learning, involves the use of a computer and the internet to conduct learning activities. The teaching approach was the most appropriate during the emergence of COVID-19. Online learning can take place in various forms such as open-schedule, fixed-time, CAL, synchronous, asynchronous, and CML.
The learning technique is associated with pros such as flexibility, convenience, improved research skills, equal opportunities, and virtual collaboration skills, among others. However, it can be detrimental since it encourages social vices such as cyberbullying and examination malpractice. Therefore, schools need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of online learning before implementing it.
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