One of the COVID-19 pandemic’s significant effects has been disrupting traditional classroom learning and instruction. Yet, the shifting to remote learning has highlighted what’s essential in the classroom in multiple ways.
The transition was challenging. However, a national health emergency forced me to move online. It was the only option to rebuild the education system. Hence, embracing new teaching methods has helped teachers explore more in terms of technology. The virtual approach can be taken back to the physical classroom.
Learning from Going Online
Online learning is meant to re-create the traditional classroom online. It attempts to reproduce the organization, materials, and activities in a distinct physical space. For instance, schools have organized teachers and students in class groupings and follow modified school schedules, replicating traditional teacher and student interactions in “Zoom classrooms.” Many teachers proved to be creative in their remote classroom practices.
But what will happen when students and teachers return to the traditional classroom from remote teaching practices? Well, it is designed to expand educational experiences. Here students access resources and interact in impossible ways in the physical classroom.
Many educators use virtual learning and have been for a while. Unschool offers an online course to students.
Three reminders for Online Learning
Virtual learning is not “extra” or “same thing, but online.” It is a “different learning experience.” Furthermore, it is a learning experience integrated within the curriculum created to be experienced online and recorded in live sessions. Virtual learning personalizes the student experience. Another key is to individualizing learning experiences.
Remote learning will be new for teachers, too! Teachers require professional development in this instructional approach. The teachers are prepared to discover new strategies, primarily for the brick and mortar classroom. The result of instructional knowledge and strategies needs to be integrated with virtual learning as a pedagogical approach.
There is a hairline difference between remote learning and virtual learning. Remote learning is “doing school” by changing the location, whereas virtual learning is “doing school” in a virtual environment regardless of location.
Employ technology for successful virtual learning
Even though it’s hard to predict the exact direction virtual learning will take, many factors make it a feasible option for students of all ages. As technological advancements resume, the evolution of education will follow. For example, updated technology boosts internet bandwidth and computer speed benefiting students’ stable connectivity.
Here are various ways to use technology to get the best possible learning experience:
- Instructions should be given to students on how to stay safe online and ways to protect themselves.
- Create exciting interactions for students. Make an interactive session by including videos or webinars by having every student participate.
- Arrange for weekly informal meetings or discussions to get an update on the well-being of everyone.
A Final Word
Be it face-to-face, remote or virtual, the pandemic has uncovered the growing inequities in our educational system. Pandemic has brought many opportunities for some students who did not afford to go to school, but virtual learning was at their fingertips. Now every institution and college is coming back to traditional education. In addition, it was observed that no fancy technology was employed for online learning.
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