By Aluko Deborah
Online Learning can be defined as the process of imparting knowledge in a networked or virtual environment where teachers and students can get connected in interaction, notwithstanding the distance. In essence, there is the presence of a lecturer or tutor who can also be called a teacher, a trainer or an instructor, and there are students who can also be called learners. These two parties now adopt technology into the educational system, especially through the use of the internet and that is what makes it an Online Learning process.
With the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic and the new normal that attends it, a lot of physical interaction has been minimized or in some instances cancelled till further notice. Interestingly, education is not left out of this revolution dynamism and online learning has emerged into the spotlight. The importance or benefits of Online Learning cannot be overemphasized in today’s world. These benefits will be listed and explained accordingly;
• Flexibility
Online Learning is flexible in the sense that it creates an opportunity for students to learn at their own convenience and comfort. Students can learn at any place and at anytime from any distance or location of the world as long as they are connected to the internet. They can learn at home, in school, in the office and even on a journey. This flexibility encourages most students to change their perception of learning from what has always seemed like schooldays, confined, streamlined, uncomfortable, rigid and lengthy to an interesting, creative, calculated and developed exploration. There are numbers of students who cherish the fact that they can be in the comfort of their home, contributing to the lecture without been shy of anyone’s glare, taking any posture and receive lectures or tutoring without any tension. Also, since it’s an online process that can be done at any time of the day, it enables students to engage in other profitable ventures asides education. Hence, enabling students lead a balanced life.
• COMFORTABILITY
Online Learning has made things easier and safer in the sense that students don’t have to carry loads of books manually. Most resources the students need for learning are already available on the online platform. This will also save the students of accidental occurrences like destruction and loss of notebooks and textbooks. Moreover, tutors can concentrate better and avoid distractions because they won’t be much bothered about attendance, registers and other unnecessary protocols. Their major focus will only be to dispense knowledge to the students.
• Increased Maturity and Responsibility
The fact that Online Learning enables students to be independent and get to learn as an individual tends to boost their sense of responsibility and maturity. Students will make sure that they keep to the specific lecture time. In addition, they will be able to agree to deadlines for submission of assignments and also work towards those deadlines without much monitoring from a higher authority. This happens majorly because the students have realized that in the long run, times have had to change and they are all alone with little or no monitoring. Hence, it is the positive values they are able to inculcate that we keep them going on their Academic journey. They will be able to quickly appreciate the fact that their future and destiny largely depends on their perspectives and attitude towards learning.
• Improves Life Skills
Online Learning enables students to develop if not all-round but in so many ways. With this process, students get to Improve their Computer literacy level and technology awareness. They gradually begin to develop a mastery of online procedures. They will also be able to inculcate time management skills that will even enhance their performance now and in the future. In addition, they are also able to improve their communication ability and improve their mode of interactions and relationships with for instance, the lecturers and co-learners. In the long run, these students will be able to look into their behavioural adjustments and change for better improvement where necessary. They will also be able to ensure positive contributions in their communities, society and the world at large.
Online Learning is not just a breakthrough in Technology but an innovation that has come to stay. It is no news that the New Normal which has emerged as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic (a global health crisis) has brought a lasting effect on the world’s activities of which education and learning is a major societal development sector. It is high time students embraced the Online Learning in order to be the better for it.
Looking at the numerous benefits that Online Learning has brought to the table, the issues and challenges related to learning (such as distance barrier, time and schedule constraint, unavailability or insufficiency of infrastructure, low self esteem and poor performance, and so on) has been eliminated to a great extent.
