e-learning student studies laptop

e-learning student studies laptop

#Studentlife: Why the class of 2020 is finding e-learning so tough

Even though online, or electronic, learning is the new norm, many are battling to adapt to their new virtual classroom.

e-learning student studies laptop

e-learning student studies laptop

Colleges and universities around the country have implemented virtual learning, or e-learning, to proceed with the academic year. This means students are expected to forget about the conventional way of learning and begin familiarising themselves with the virtual classroom.

Computer-based learning is about having content delivered to students digitally, where both teaching and learning is done without physical social interaction.

This is something new for many students, so let’s round up a few answers given on social media to questions about the challenges they have faced since they started online learning.

Here are a few of the class of 2020’s responses:

1. Lack of self-discipline

It’s extremely important to maintain your focus with computer-assisted learning. Self-discipline is about sticking to the task at hand, having goals, eliminating distractions, managing your learning and knowing your learning styles and habits.

Identifying what’s important to you can help you be more self-disciplined and committed when it comes to attending online classes.

When a student lacks self-discipline, they often procrastinate which leads to incomplete tasks and poor performance.

2. Lack of social interaction

At its best, learning is an interactive act. Engaging with the lecturer and other students helps build team spirit and communication skills. 

With virtual learning social this spontaneous interaction is impossible, which can set a student back if they need clarification on content they do not understand.

The lack of social interaction can lead to a sense of isolation.

3. Limited resources

Since students are learning from home, they are likely to have fewer resources than on campus.

For instance, students can’t access the library on campus and not all text book are available online. This can be discouraging when it comes to completing assignments and tasks.

4. Increased workload

Online learning requires students to take a more active role because there is no instructor delivering a lecture in person. There is no one to read the academic text to you.

Students have to do far more by themselves, and need to be able to read well by themselves. Good reading skills are important with online learning. If you are not a fast reader, it can feel like your workload is higher.

5. Slower feedback

In a traditional classroom, when students face problems on a certain module, lecturers are able to advise and give them feedback immediately.

When it comes to e-learning, however, students who need feedback often have to email their instructor. The instructor may only reply after some time, or not at all.

This can lead to students performing poorly, since they are not receiving any feedback.

6. Lack of time management

Time management is imperative in the virtual environment since there is no class schedule guiding the students.

Although e-learning provides students with the advantage of controlling their pace and time of learning, it can be a problem for students who don’t use their time wisely.

Many students are battling to accustom themselves to the new way of learning. However, although online learning may not be the best option for all, at this stage it is the only solution for higher education institutions.