There is unprecedented pace of change due to Coronavirus. The educators need to embrace technology to make online education seamless, says Abhinav Sekhri
A crisis comes with the ability to always leave its impact on education in one way or another. Be it the cloud of choking smoke or the anti-CAA riots and now Coronavirus, educational institutions are always the first to bear the effect in the wake of any forthcoming crisis. But it’s time that today’s educators rethink higher education for a world that’s being overturned by technology.
The unprecedented pace of societal change is proportionately carving the need for reform more urgently than ever. This comes with pressure on higher education as the engine of progress, both in premier as well as mid-level educational institutions, in a knowledge-based economy to urge a seamless transition into the digitalisation of traditional schooling methods.
This begins with embracing stackable, online learning, which is a yielding way that provides both flexibility and affordability which in turn increases access to university curricula while also allowing students to engage in learning. But despite the ample benefits that this innovative concept has to offer, we still think of ways that can improve the learning process and make online education seem seamless?
There was a time when teaching efficiency was typically being determined by the money, time and resources that are crucial for obtaining desired results. Which meant that the learning process becomes better if fewer expenses and less time is involved. If you lack the required finances for developing exceptional online learning method then the good practice would be to seek help from reliable companies, and their solution is affordable in nature.
A digitally-powered ecosystem could seamlessly connect expert educators from academia or industry to deliver all the custom learning programmes for students, even in the state of pandemics at an affordable price point. After all, the whole essence of the state-of-art eLearning system is not just based on the modules but also the amount of money that one is sufficiently willing to spend on making it worthwhile.
All this is because of the fact that pedagogy of online education system is somewhat akin to the giants of the internet and it must finally be treated as a core business, where the educational institutions will need appropriate budgeting along with the potential resources to pull of these demands. So, bringing in the affordability factor deepens the global mandate that online education's potential becomes complementary.
The next in line is to carry a very effective approach which precisely directs every aspect of online education including the teaching, curriculum, practice, administration, technology and even aligns with the institutional culture in order to leave a positive impact on the overall method of learning
No matter how advance or even unique the overall e-learning system might be, it should always be supported by a team of highly skilled as well as competent teachers who are willing to create courses and teaching material according to the requirement of the students — be it comprising of a disciplined schedule or a well-thought assessment and curriculum, this would make the online learning process as seamless as it can get.
We’re fortunate to have the technology at our disposal to create a virtual learning system which cordially allows us to engage and collaborate just as well as we were present in the classroom. It is noteworthy to see the variety of activities that are now possible online and allow through an effective learning environment.
The most formative practice is that the teachers utilise a combination of both synchronous and asynchronous activities, fabricating a thorough blend of online learning styles by using newer and more collaborative video and audio tools. Operating with a mix of these activities will help in making the content more exciting and interesting, ultimately increasing student engagement with both the teacher and the other leaners.
It is only wise to acknowledge the growing importance of mobile learning for online teachers, with students natively getting accustomed to using their mobiles not just for gaming and connecting but also for learning. It is to be administered that mobile learning holds an edge over learners, allowing them to learn on the go and access up-to-date course materials along with all the relevant content anywhere, anytime.
With the bite-sized information available readily which can be digested quickly and at ease, learners can really dig deep to work through the entire course material at their own sweet pace, facilitating both productivity and performance.
To make the transition seamless, make sure that you impart online education in a way that can be easily accessed via mobile phones, laptops, and iPads to maximise your teaching methods and demonstrate to the learners that you are in prior touch with the modern workforce along with its relevant technology.
The writer is CEO-founder, Admission24
