What's the post COVID-19 new normal in Education: Traditional, E-Learning or Hybrid?
Covid-19 Pandemic has not only thrown open the inefficiencies in our traditional system of education but has also opened our eyes to the benefits derivable from online education beamed into the comfort of our homes.
The benefits of online education are undeniable. Hard statistics show that online education has a high retention rate of 25-60% for students compared to a paltry 8-10% in classroom learning. It also requires 40-60% less time than in a traditional classroom setting. This is huge considering the added benefits of accelerated learning and application that can be derived from the higher retention rates and the extra time gained.
However, one of its drawbacks is the inability of students to learn socialization skills from online education. Students need their peers around them to be able to learn how to socialize. Another problem is the digital divide which ensures that all 15-year-olds from a privileged society have access to computers, while the same access is denied to 25% of the same age group from disadvantaged homes. This leads to a problem of digital access inequity between the privileged and disadvantaged segments of society.
The traditional system of education is fraught with inefficiencies. Some classrooms are overpopulated with students screaming at the top of their voices. Most times the teacher is overwhelmed and his voice is drowned. Such distractions, occasional as they are, stand in the way of effective classroom learning.
High stakes testing also brings in its wake a lot of pressure for both the students and their teachers. Students are under pressure to achieve a certain level. Teachers are over their heads trying to prepare students to meet benchmarks on standardized testing. This leads to over-anxiety on both students and teachers that inhibits effective teaching and learning. In such situations, it is the vulnerable students that suffer the most.
With all the inefficiencies of traditional education, some students can not do without the in-person teacher who ensures there is a structured environment for all learning.
I predict the post-COVID-19 new normal in education will feature a hybrid model that incorporates online and traditional educational components. Some students learn better in the in-person structured environment that traditional education offers; others thrive in the relatively free space and choices online learning provides.
I cannot agree more with Dr Amjad, a Professor in the university of Jordan who says, "......I believe traditional learning and e-learning can go hand in hand"
Welcome to the world of hybrid learning post COVID-19!
Have you thought of the post COVID-19 new normal in education for your child or ward? Share your thoughts.
Recent Comments
53
I believe the educational system in the US should be funded by the federal government. Many European countries completely fund these systems and possibly through the graduate level. Most local school districts misuse these funds at the expense of the taxpayer. Example: How many high school football teams need astroturf on their football fields?
I am not sure the US government will be interested in such centralized funding of elementary and secondary education as its European counterpart
I had no idea you guys didn't have government funded schools
We have both public and private in Australia. I always believed it was the norm for a democratic nation. The right to a free education
Jim
We certainly do have but funds are routed through the various state governments to school districts all over the country. We do have public and private schools also.
But Moonmoment was talking of direct federal government-run schools.
Interesting post there Dada , indeed winds of change are blowing .Here in the UK only universities are planning on having a long term hybridlearning learning medium of instruction.
Personally I would still want my child to continue with the traditional in-class system.I think at her young age handling online distractions is a major challenge and will need close supervision if the system is to work.
The online system appears to be working well for older students at institutions of higher learning .
HI Dada
I think you are right. It would make most sense after we are able to repopulate physical classrooms with children again, presumably when there is a vaccine, to keep the best of what online learning has to offer and move to a hybrid model. In the interim resources should be dedicated to bridging the digital divides.
Thanks and best regards
Andy.
Thanks for your comment, AndyN1. I sincerely hope we could wait until when there is a vaccine.
Hi Dadaz123
I have a site that promotes online learning I do a lot of research on the subject. There's one class of people no one can seem to figure a curriculum for the mentally disabled ADD class.
In 1969 I knew a boy who was in a body cast from his neck to his ankles and this was my first experience of online learning he had a tv at the foot of his bed where a teacher would spend around 5 hours a day teaching or tutoring which is what it was called then.
My feeling is that there's going to be much more of the homeschooling online learning and I believe it's about to blow up as far as an industry there are new online schools coming online everyday now.
Charles
So true, CDAdams. We should expect exponential growth in the online teaching industry. You are so lucky to be a pioneer in the field!
See more comments
Interesting thoughts, Dada!
I do think there has been a lot of development of online strategies for learning, even though I have been personally convinced that for people like me they're invaluable.
I think we'll find a balance of being able to come together in groups to be able to discuss things when necessary, but I can see from my children's courses they are getting much more benefit by the online learning they have access to... when it is combined with some practical experience.
I believe we'll get better at creating virtual realities that will hopefully help people to develop the right interactive skills.
Best wishes,
Jacquie