In 2020, with the spread COVID-19, schools shut down globally resulting in 1.2 billion children out of school worldwide. The solution, online learning, raised a lot of eyebrows.
However, online learning has been around since before the global pandemic and it has proven to be successful in many different ways.
The misconception is that online learning is a poor substitute to in-person schools, and that it is mostly just self-learning. People believe that it is a combination of recorded videos and tutorials and examples, and doesn’t give the child space for critical thinking, or meets the child’s needs.
Moreover, without physical interaction, people believe that the children develop difficulties in forming meaningful relationships.
Here are four myths regarding online learning debunked:
Myth #1: The child doesn’t get personal attention in online classes
A common misconception is that students don’t get personal attention in online classes.
However, it’s the truth is that sometimes, students will end up having more interactions with the instructor than they would in a regular classroom. This is because some online classrooms have required “log on” times and mandatory participation in chat rooms or on discussion boards.
This participation often contributes to the final grade of the student and so they are incentivized into interacting, which leads to the next myth.
Myth #2: With online learning, you don’t get to know your professor or your classmates
The myth is that in online learning, you don’t have interactions with your peers and you don’t get to know them. Additionally, your professor also can’t get to know you through your screen and therefore there is no personalized element to learning.
The fact is, however, that online learning requires a lot more interaction with the professor than you’d expect. Everything has to be communicated via email or text, and in class students have to enter with their names. Most professors require cameras to be open, and there are also class groups and forums where students can interact.
Myth #3: Students can let their assignments pile up
People believe that with online learning, it’s easier for students to slack off and fall behind. Lectures are recorded so students never end up watching them, and you can turn assignments in at any time so it’s easy to leave them for later or even plagiarize them. It is often believed that tracking a student’s progress would be difficult in this set up.
However, online submissions actually make it harder to plagiarize due to plagiarism checkers. Moreover, deadlines are set on a weekly basis, after which assignments cannot be turned in. This ensures that even if the lecture is recorded, the student watches it.
Myth #4: Online classes are easier
Online classes may appear to be easier, but they can sometimes be more demanding than in-person classes. There are extensive reading assignments and numerous report submissions, which require immense time management.
Online classes follow the same curriculum, even the same textbook, so the major difference is the environment in which you are sitting, but the workload is not easier!
Choose the best online resource!
Online classes can be difficult to handle due to the fact that the student needs to pace themselves. That’s why it is important to use the best online learning sources or the best online school which has experienced faculty onboard, teaching interactive and engaging classes.
We are an accredited online learning elementary school that focuses on the development of our students. We ensure that our students have real-time interactions with their teachers and classmates, and receive timely feedback on their work. We provide impeccable virtual learning for kids, for more information, contact us to book a meeting with the school director.