We all know that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, schools all across the globe had to shut down. Everyone was worried about the future of the students and how they will manage their studies. Then, technology came to the rescue! Schools, colleges and other educational institutions started adopting e-learning practices to provide education to the students remotely.

Learning online is transforming the way students access information and knowledge, enabling them to learn at their own pace and in their own way.

Although this transition was not easy, technology has now become an important part of the global education system and is helping students achieve their learning goals.

• Let us take a look at some important statistics by UNICEF:It was reported that more than 1 billion children were at risk of falling behind in school because of Covid-19

• More than 90% of the countries have adopted digital and/or broadcast remote learning policies during the pandemic 

• It has been difficult to reach students living in remote areas (3 out of 4 children who cannot be reached online are from rural areas or belong to the poorest households)

How technology is helping students during the pandemic and beyond

We cannot expect the whole education system to change in just a few days. But, we must appreciate how educational institutions are helping in the transition. Teachers are reaching out to students and parents, providing them with the resources that can aid in learning from home.

Parents are making efforts in providing their children with the necessary resources to access Effective study tips. Students are adapting to learning through virtual classrooms, online discussions and live sessions. Many students who do not have a computer at home are using mobile phones to attend classes. Here are some crucial ways how technology is helping students in remote learning. 

#1 Regular Online Classes

One of the biggest benefits that technology provides to the students is that they can attend classes and continue learning even if schools are closed. Remote learning technology is helping students by providing access to personalized instruction and a wider range of resources. Whether it be learning management systems (LMS) or online communications applications like Zoom and Google Meet, all the students and teachers connect with each other online and study. 

#2 Easy to Access Study Resources 

Technology makes learning much easier and accessible. This is because students can access the resources at any time. Students can re-watch the lessons at any number of times and study as per their schedule. Students can also check the lesson plans and review them. They can submit their homework online and access the assignments. Everything can be organised in a way that students can access their study materials with just one click. 

#3 Asynchronous and synchronous learning options 

When students take online classes regularly just like traditional classroom learning, it is known as synchronous learning. Even while learning online, students of a class can maintain the same pace and study together. This way students can compete with each other despite studying remotely. 

But, online learning also gives the students an opportunity to study at their own pace. This is known as asynchronous learning. Students can watch the lessons any number of times until they are confident about the concepts. Some courses allow students to complete the current lesson first and then they are allowed to move to the next lesson. In such scenarios, it all depends on the student, how much learning they want to do in one day. 

#4 Immersive learning 

Online learning can be intriguing, engaging and immersive for the students. Teachers and educators can use different techniques such as storytelling, video-based learning, gamification, micro-learning, or can use virtual reality to help students understand a concept. Virtual team rooms allow students to collaborate on projects and assignments from anywhere in the world, making technology more accessible. These techniques can create an immersive environment for the students that they forget about everything else and just focus on learning. They also provide a better learning environment so the students would listen to the teacher with full attention and would remember the concepts completely.  

#5 Encouraging independent learners

Online learning makes students independent learners. It gives them a sense of control towards their learning and academic development. Earlier, students had to go to school. It was a part of their routine. Now, they have to get out of bed every day and show up in online classes because they want to learn.

They can take control of their learning pace. They can decide their learning schedule and how they are going to do the homework on time. All this gives them a sense of responsibility and makes them more disciplined in life.”

Education Technology is here to Stay! 

Technology has changed the way of teaching and learning. It has shown different aspects of learning beyond textbooks and the four walls of classrooms. James, who provides custom dissertation writing services is an education technology enthusiast. Says, technology has made communication and collaboration much easier. It has taught us how we can learn independently, use techniques like gameplay, and storytelling in learning. Last, but not least, it has made learning 24/7 accessible to the students. No wonder we can expect that online education will be an integral part of school education even after the pandemic.