In the midst of a pandemic, people in the UK were asked to take part in a national lockdown, which also required the shutting down of schools. With this, came the transition from education inside of schools to an alternative form of learning, online education. This meant that children were learning remotely at their homes and schools used online platforms, such as google classroom and zoom, to have their lessons. For some, this was a positive thing as it meant they could learn in the comforts of their own home and perhaps have a longer sleep. However, for some it was a threat to their learning as they faced difficulties such as technical issues and distractions at home. This brings up the question, is online schooling the future? Let’s take a look and see if it is.
At the college I attend, City and Islington college, they are currently taking the approach of blended learning. This means that some lessons take place online, and others take place in person. However, at the beginning of the term, many subjects were fully online. For me, I found this to be a positive experience as I felt less anxious at home which allowed me to concentrate better on my lessons and I was able to fit in extra time to revise as I didn’t have my time spent on travelling to and from college. Online schooling may have been a good fit for me, however, for many other students it was a burden to them and their learning. I spoke to a few of my friends at college, and here is what they had to say on their experience with online learning:
‘It is difficult to concentrate during online lessons because you’re not in the proper environment to receive education.’ -Ayumi
‘My home surroundings are very distracting which means I can lose focus, whereas at school you are forced to focus on your work. I also see school as an escape for me.’ -Ava
‘It has made it harder to make friends because everyone is now so silent in class. We’re not used to having to talk to each other in person.’ -Zaynab
‘I don’t feel the same connection with the teacher and the learning is really passive. It’s like watching a YouTube video and teaching yourself.’ -Ram
‘Online studying is not actually learning; it’s worrying to submit your work by the deadline. So, all you can think about is submitting your work on time, rather than actually understanding it.’ -Ivo
From these quotes, we can gather that online education isn’t a great alternative to some. Issues such as home distractions and a lack of communication between students and teachers interfere with these pupil’s understanding of the work they’re given. Some even feel that they are not getting the same quality of teaching as they would in real life, which is concerning for many.
Another argument is that home learning may be good for those who have the resources for it, but is it a negative situation for those who come from materially deprived backgrounds? Students from these backgrounds may lack resources that they would typically get from school, such as a computer, textbooks and paper. They may also live in smaller and busier households, so they do not have their own quiet space to study, which is a hindrance to their learning. This brings up the concern that the introduction of online schooling has neglected the education of those who come from poorer backgrounds, and how this could affect their motivation and confidence in the future.
A more positive outlook on online schooling, is that it allows students more time to themselves. I have found that it has allowed me to work on personal projects and read more. I have also been able to spend more time with my family. Many young actors, singers and dancers use online education platforms as an alternative to in person education as it allows them to balance getting the qualifications that they need for the future whilst also fulfilling their life dreams.
Another argument for the positives of online schooling is that it may suit students who have anxiety or sensory issues. School is a busy and noisy place to be in and this could hinder the learning of those who have difficulty adapting to this type of environment. Remote online education allows them to study in a calmer and more peaceful space, which would increase the quality of their learning as the disturbance of stress is no longer affecting them. It also is an alternative for those who have chronic pain issues, as they are able to have an education without having to worry about missing a school day due to health reasons.
To conclude, I will bring back the question of ‘is online schooling the future?’ For many, it is revolutionary as it allows them to work at their own pace and have the time to fit in their own personal interests and activities. It also provides a safe and comfortable space for children with mental and physical health issues. However, many students are not suited to this type of learning as there are many barriers for it to work for them. So, the answer to the question is, we don’t know! It definitely could be a great alternative for many, but changes and advances would have to be put in place for it to be widespread. What do you think? Is online schooling the future?
