Pros and Cons of Remote Learning
The studying that occurs when an instructor and a learner are not able to assemble in a traditional classroom is remote or online learning. It involves the use of internet equipped technology. There has been a rise in the need for remote learning platforms with the COVID 19 pandemic. Remote learning, like any other form of learning, has its advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of Remote Learning
Students at the elementary level are young, and they require visuals to promote understanding of content under study. With remote learning augmented reality as well as virtual reality is incorporated to present better visuals through platforms such as CoSpaces Edu. The platform allows the student to learn by building things in 3D, and creating interactive stories which capture their interests, increasing understanding (Fond, 2020). Online learning is flexible enough to meet individual student’s needs. The instructor plans the pace of teaching according to the student needs.
Remote learning requires the use of technology. The learners become technologically savvy as they have to learn how to navigate the various programs. It is no secret that the majority of activities in the world are dependent on technology; therefore, the students need to acquire such skills from a young age. Online studies are advantageous as they can happen at any place and at any time (Illinois Online Network, 2020). Young learners are prone to distractions, but the platform makes it possible to study at any point and time as long as there is access to the internet.
Another pro for remote learning is that there are fewer distractions. Traditional brick and mortar institutions are an excellent source of social relations for the elementary learners; however, they are also a source of distractions which will impact the academic performance negatively. With remote learning, the student has easy access to resources. The school children require a lot of demonstrative material within their course work. The platform provides such stuff in one forum as there are videos, audios and games to facilitate learning (Fond, 2020).
Disadvantages of Remote Learning
Young learners need social interactions with friends and peers to develop oral skills. Such skills are vital for communication. Remote learning does not have room for social interactions which limits their ability to associate with others (Sander, 2019). Instructors act as knowledge givers and role models to the school-going children. The lack of face to face interactions makes it difficult to form relationships where a student can get inspiration and direction from their tutors. For online learning to be successful, there is a requirement for self-discipline and self-direction. Learners at the elementary level are too young to possess such qualities. They get distracted easily and cannot direct themselves. Constant supervision is necessary yet; the platform cannot facilitate such actions.
Kumar (2015) asserts that it is difficult to assess progress for school children who use online learning. Evaluation through memory testing is highly inapplicable as young learners tend to forget things easily if there is no stimulation present. With remote learning, a majority of them might be seen as poor performers as most tests are mental. Technical difficulties are perhaps the biggest threat to online studies. If the internet is low and programs are not loading fast enough, then the learner becomes discouraged. Young students lose interest quickly if such difficulties persist, then they completely stray from their course work.
Remote learning has a variety of advantages to school going children; they become technologically savvy at a young age, and it provides more visual aids for better understanding. However, it still faces a multitude of challenges such as the lack of reliable internet, and it makes it difficult for learners to adapt social skills. Although with the COVID 19 pandemic, it has proven to be the most effective way to equip learners with knowledge as everything else is under lockdown.
References
Fond, C. (2020). CoSpaceAtHome creation contest. AR & VR in the Classroom. https://blog.cospaces.io/cospace-at-home-contest-e40e7f4fa951.
Illinois Online Network. (2020). Strengths of online learning. The University of Illinois. http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/resources/tutorials/overview/strengths.asp.
Kumar, D. (2015). Pros and cons of online education. North Carolina State University. https://www.ies.ncsu.edu/resources/white-papers/pros-and-cons-of-online-education/.
Sander, T. (2019). Disadvantages of E-Learning. e-student.org. https://e-student.org/disadvantages-of-e-learning/.