Knowledge is power, and with today’s advanced technology, you have all the power you need at your fingertips. For most of us, the traditional face-to-face way of learning was the only known and practiced option. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has presented online or virtual learning, a brand new method that turned out to be very effective. Virtual learning refers to attending the learning process via computers and the internet, both inside and outside the educational organization’s facilities.
Virtual learning is a new approach used by many institutes and universities, especially during the last few years, to convey education to students effectively. A virtual learning environment strives for creative interactions, active learning environments, and course planning. In an online learning environment, teachers provide their students with the needed instructions for them to succeed while still remaining independent.
This guide provides a clear insight into the effects of online learning on student performance, so stay tuned to learn more!
The Impact of Virtual Learning in Higher Education
As a recently-implied learning method, virtual learning has significantly impacted students and instructors. E-learning has affected how people see the learning and teaching process and the overall quality of learning.
As with every other process, virtual learning has its pros and cons for both students and teachers. The main advantage of virtual learning is that it enhances students’ perception, communication, educational quality, and critical thinking and creates a sense of student independence.
On the other hand, one of the most significant drawbacks of this new learning method was probably the fact that it is hard for many people to adapt to this new way of learning, but the fast pace of technology waits for no one, and we need to do our best to adapt to it.
Positive effects of virtual learning on students
Besides all the challenges you could face during your online learning experience, there are a lot of benefits and advantages to it. Some of the positive effects of virtual learning on students include increased efficiency in learning, accessibility and affordability, improvement of students’ attendance, and more!
Efficiency in learning
Online learning is highly-efficient for both students and instructors. Students can easily find textbooks, and school materials and also use multimedia to make their learning experience easier and more attractive. On the other hand, instructors can share assignments and reading materials with only one click using different online platforms exclusively designed to make the teaching and learning experience easier and fun.
Accessibility and affordability
When considering the expenses that students make while attending the traditional face-to-face classes such as commuting, meals, and paying for a place to stay, make us realize that online classes are way more affordable. While taking online courses, you don’t have to use means of transportation to get to your destination.
Moreover, students attending online learning don’t have to pay for meals since they can enjoy the home-cooked ones, and most importantly, they don’t have to pay for a place to stay since they can attend all their classes from the comfort of their own home.
Improving students’ attendance
While attending online classes, you can transform every environment of your home or any cafeteria into a classroom. While the traditional face-to-face courses provide you with an environment designed to fit the needs of larger groups of students, while taking online classes, you can adapt any place to suit your needs best. The ability to customize the environment you’re learning in will work to your advantage because choosing your studying environment will give you all the comfort you need to be more productive while following your education, which ultimately results in improving students’ attendance.
Another great benefit of the online learning experience is how students can manage their time and create flexible studying schedules that fit with other aspects of their lives. While attending online classes, students can create a balance between their academic life and their social life and be able to attend almost every class.
Hands-on technology
Online learning and technology are the best combinations. Virtual learning is possible through the use of technology, and the learning process, in general, is always becoming easier thanks to it. With today’s advanced use of technology, you can simply search for every problem you need the solution for and have almost everything served in front of you.
The use of technology enables students to conduct research and come up with helpful results in every area of life. In addition, there are unlimited apps that allow teachers easily share materials with their students and help them get a better understanding.
Interaction
Virtual learning creates better interaction as it allows professors and students to communicate dynamically. Teachers and students, as well as students and their peers, can develop dynamic interactions through online learning. By efficiently sharing ideas and information, they can collaborate throughout the learning process. Everyone present in the virtual class can actively engage in class discussions or voice their thoughts on other people’s work. Despite not seeing each other directly face to face, such interaction patterns boost the effectiveness of classroom learning.
In addition, with online learning, your instructor is one email or call away at all times! While in traditional face-to-face classes, the time that you can connect to your instructors is limited to office hours, during online courses, you can have unlimited access to your instructors through many online platforms.
This option can help you better understand all the subjects and succeed in them. All the questions to things that are unclear to you can easily get an answer if you take online classes!
Negative or side effects of virtual learning on students
Despite all the advantages mentioned above that virtual learning provides, there are undoubtedly negative side effects of this particular learning experience. Technology issues, additional screen time, lack of motivation, and a sense of isolation can all be problems that students and professors can face while participating in online classes.
Sense of isolation
A disadvantage of virtual learning is that it creates a sense of isolation for both the teachers and the students. It is a fact that all students have different ways of learning and follow different approaches. Some students can work individually, while others find comfort in their campus community, with easy access to professors or peer students, which is an aspect where virtual learning lacks.
However, the good news is that online classroom platforms have been working to fill those gaps by creating a sense of community in the virtual space through the development of a set of tools that encourage learners to actively partake in live sessions. To match the effectiveness of traditional classes, e-learning must support and develop the social aspect of learning.
Relying on self-discipline
To add to the short list of disadvantages, online learning generally requires a greater sense of self-discipline. Participating in a community and physically attending classes improves accountability. If a student does not believe they are receiving adequate guidance, they may lack the self-discipline to stay engaged in the lessons themselves.
However, the solution to this problem is taking virtual, real-time classes rather than just online courses since they increase accountability. Live quizzes, for example, help assess understanding in real-time, while breakout rooms promote group activity. These tools promote accountability and discipline and keep students interested for longer periods of time.
More screen time
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One of the most prominent negative effects of virtual learning on students is additional screen time. In the time that we are living, we are exposed to technology and screen time for extended periods of time. Unfortunately, online learning contributes to this problem. Excessive screen time can lead to a variety of physical problems, such as poor posture and headaches.
However, it can also be a personal issue for students who have difficulty learning from or focusing on screens, particularly since the internet is designed to divert students’ attention away from the learning material with social media and entertainment. However, the best online learning platforms and software available have a variety of tools and features to assist students in remaining attentive and engaged.
Lack of face-to-face interaction
The lack of face-to-face communication is linked to many of the disadvantages of online learning that we already mentioned. A lack of face-to-face interaction with the instructors or other peers inhibits student feedback, causes social isolation, and may lead to students feeling unmotivated since there is no sense of pressure from the teacher. Lack of pressure is a major drawback because it leads to students abandoning their studies more easily. Although constant pushing by professors may be unpleasant for some, it is an effective method of increasing student performance.
Technical difficulties
The traditional disadvantages of online learning revolve around technical issues. We all know that nothing ruins a virtual lesson like audio, video, or connection problems. In the past, students were frequently required to download and/or install time-consuming apps or technology that produced inconsistent results.
Fortunately, online classes can now be accessed by simply clicking a link without the need to install anything. Internet connectivity has vastly improved around the world. Furthermore, people’s devices have improved significantly, resulting in a better overall experience for everyone participating in virtual learning.
Tips to Benefit from Virtual Learning
After finding out how online learning affects students, it is time to take all those effects and use them to your advantage. Since you have already decided to attend virtual classes, it is only right for you to make the best out of it. In order to benefit from this brand new students’ online learning experience, there are some simple steps you should follow. The first thing you should consider in order to benefit from virtual classes is staying motivated and focused the entire time. In addition, interacting during the classes and considering the best sides of online classes will make this experience easier for you!
Remain focused throughout the class
It is understandable that your focus can switch easily when you’re attending online classes. And this is due to the fact that you are surrounded by technology at all times, and every notification can grab your attention and cause you to lose focus. However, it is important to listen actively, take notes, participate in discussions and not allow your focus to switch to other things not related to the virtual class.
Interact and be active
Online learning does not have to be a lonely experience. It is all about interacting and being actively engaged. Throughout the entire experience, you should take advantage of opportunities to interact with other students during online discussions or group activities. When communicating online, remember to be polite and mindful of your tone since you could be easily misunderstood.
Interacting in every class activity can assist you in getting the most out of your course. In addition, exchanging contact information with other students can assist you in developing a personal learning network that will last beyond the current course.
Consider the positive side of this experience
Despite all the challenges you may face during this new experience; it is very important to keep in mind that it will serve you in the long run. When you find yourself in a place of losing motivation or not enjoying your virtual classes, make sure to look to the positive side of this experience. Advantages such as attending classes from the comfort of your own home, not spending money on commuting, paying rent, or eating meals, and having unlimited access to all types of materials you need to succeed in your online class make this experience fun and memorable.
Conclusion
Ultimately, virtual learning can affect students in higher education in different ways. There are cases when students will face challenges and other cases where they will highly benefit and enjoy this experience.
Technical issues, more screen time, the sense of isolation, and other negative effects of virtual learning are all overthrown by the positive sides of this online experience, such as affordability, accessibility, and efficiency. However, despite how the entire process goes, remember to enjoy the journey and celebrate your accomplishments along the way!