2020 was the year that saw the COVID-19 pandemic spread worldwide, shutting down academic institutions to maintain social distancing. As a result, education came to a complete standstill for some time before technology came to the rescue.
According to a UNESCO report, almost 1.2 billion students across 186 countries have been affected by this inescapable situation.
It’s impossible for countries worldwide to postpone studies for the unforeseeable future, especially when the pandemic shows no signs of an end. Hence, academic writing service institution have joined hands with high-end technology to ensure that students don’t lose an academic year and suffer long-term.
What Fundamental Changes Has The Pandemic Brought About In Education?
Perhaps the most significant change you’ll notice immediately is the empty streets and silence around the academic institutions, which were once bursting with the activity.
Social distancing has forced these educational institutions to lock their doors and shift from a physical classroom to an online one.
Before the pandemic, student’s use of technology in education was pretty limited. While some would use online math assignment help services to assist them in their homework, others would prefer the more traditional method of poring over books in the library to complete their papers.
However, in the post-pandemic world, educators and students have to embrace and adapt themselves to technology to continue their studies.
Initial Reaction To The Incorporation Of Technology In Education
Most human beings do not accept sudden changes in their lives favourably. Hence, the initial reaction to this was expectedly unfavourable for the most part.
While the younger generations saw the incorporation of technology in their education as a perfect method to continue learning, many from the older generations voiced their concerns.
“My kid spends all his time playing video games online. So how can I trust him to study online too?” Angela Lawrence, a senior executive at a global firm, raises a valid concern.
Meanwhile, some parents highlighted the harmful effects of sitting at home all day with their eyes glued to the screen.
While every concern is valid, everyone soon realized that adapting themselves to the new normal is the only option available.
How Technology Joined Hands With Education
The major shift from the physical classroom to digital platforms was not simple by any means. While the more gadget-friendly students quickly grasped how the online platforms worked, teachers were left trying to make sense of the technology.
However, the awkward phase didn’t last long. Equipped with a smartphone, laptop, or desktop and a strong internet connection, classes began in earnest from the comfort of everyone’s homes.
Due to this situation, online platforms like Zoom saw a massive increase in customers. According to their reports, the first quarter of 2020 saw a 169% increase in revenue.
Other platforms like Google Meet, Skype, Google Hangouts, AnyMeeting, BlueJeans, etc., are popular alternatives.
Additionally, various educational apps saw a significant increase in downloads as students slowly began to adapt to the new way of learning. Global assignment help services cropped up at a rapid rate with the rise in student demand.
The Advantages Of Online Learning
The shift from physical classrooms to online learning has been beneficial for many students. The restrictions that you would usually face in the traditional learning model completely disappear in this new method.
Some of the most significant advantages are:
- No more geographical restrictions
Many students have to forego education due to geographical barriers. For example, if you wish to attend an additional college course but the institution is almost an hour away, it is impossible to proceed forward.
Hence, online learning removes this restriction entirely. As a result, you can learn everything you want from your bedroom without having to take a single step outside.
- Accessible to those with flexible timings
Many students who work part-time or adults who have a job cannot take up courses due to the inflexibility of traditional educational timings. Classes would usually be for a few hours in a day, usually on weekdays, and if you miss one, there would be no remedial classes to depend on.
Hence, online courses have become the better alternative. You can easily download an entire syllabus and learn it at your pace.
- Innovative learning methods
Online learning does not follow the same learning patterns as you’d find in a traditional setting. It is more challenging to hold onto your concentration in the online method of learning.
Hence, educators must use innovative techniques like PowerPoint presentations, educational videos, and pictographs to make topics easier to understand.
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Easy availability of resources
Many students have faced a hard time trying to find good resources for their assignments. Most of the time, if the local or university library did not have a specific reference book, it would be impossible to find it anywhere else.
However, with the pandemic causing libraries to shut down, many institutions have made their paid online catalogue of rare books accessible to all.
- Increased learning opportunities for everyone
All schools are not equipped to cater to physically challenged students. Hence, many students with physical disabilities who were deprived of proper education found online learning extremely helpful.
Moreover, the advantage of studying from home enables these students to learn what they wish without facing any restrictions.
- Ease of collaboration
In a world where social distancing reduces the chances to meet in person, it can be challenging to work on collaboration projects. However, with the help of collaborative apps, you can quickly check each other’s progress and communicate effectively to ensure the best results.
While there are plenty of advantages you’ll experience in this new system of learning, it doesn’t mean that it is perfect.
The Disadvantages Of Online Learning
As the entire world starts to depend on technology to continue education, many students pass their initial phase of excitement soon enough.
Complaints of sore eyes, exhaustion, fatigue spread across social media as everyone shares their experience of attending online classes. Let’s look at some of the common complaints.
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“It’s hard to concentrate for so long.”
Due to the abrupt shift to online learning, many academic institutions could not prepare themselves for the changes they should undertake in this new learning method.
Moreover, using the same teaching techniques is not practical because students are prone to more distractions in their homes. Hence, concentration issues have become a growing concern in this post-pandemic world.
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Educators unable to handle technology
Even the most technologically advanced students can become stumped with online applications at times. Therefore, it’s no surprise that educators who are less knowledgeable in these areas face issues with the applications.
In many cases, technological errors can disrupt the class and break the concentration of students.
- The feeling of something missing
Despite the initial excitement of doing classes from home, students began to feel the emptiness without their friends soon enough. This has resulted in an overall lack of enthusiasm for studies.
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An overwhelming sense of fatigue
Sitting in front of a gadget for long hours of the day has resulted in the term ‘Zoom fatigue.’ In addition, the hours of screentime have taken its toll on students’ physical and mental health as they feel tired all the time.
- Not accessible to all
Online education is possible for those who have access to gadgets and high-speed internet. However, many countries in the world are not economically sound, and parents cannot afford such luxuries. Hence, they have no option but to pull their children from school.
Despite these problems, the online mode of education is still the most popular option as the pandemic shows no signs of leaving anytime soon. In countries where the situation is somewhat in control, the governments have suggested a blended learning model to bring back some sense of normalcy in the students’ lives.
The Overall Impact Of Technology On Education
Almost two decades ago, it would have been impossible to imagine a world where you can get instant assignment help in the blink of an eye. However, with the advancement of technology, you can quickly find all the information you need at your fingertips.
Technology blended with education has made it possible to cover entire courses within six months from the comfort of your home. It has opened the horizon for many and plays a crucial role in improving the educational quality worldwide.
Summing it up,
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a significant shift in all spheres of life, especially education. However, advanced technology has increased the opportunities and brought forward a world entirely different from the traditional school setting. It has changed the way people look at education, and hopefully, more advancements are yet to come to address the more minor issues.
Author bio:
Charles joye is a professional academic content writer who provides coursework help to students online. Currently, Jones is pursuing his Ph.D. in Literature and hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a professor. On weekends, Jones loves to spend his time fishing by the lake near his house.
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