Online schooling is a popular alternative to traditional schooling. It offers unique benefits like customized learning and flexibility. In addition to this, online schooling also creates an unmatched tailor-made and self-directed learning environment, and creates a perfectly positive learning environment for students.
In India, online schooling is trending as it is a medium that goes beyond the geographical boundaries of countries and continents.
Here’s a quick look at the benefits of online schooling:
1. Individual Options for Learning
Online schooling allows both asynchronous and synchronous learning.
Asynchronous learning allows students to study at their self-chosen pace. And synchronous learning supports them through real-time teacher interactions.
In some online schools, there is no fixed time schedule given for asynchronous learning. Hence, students and parents are free to decide their suitable time for studies as per their lifestyle and priorities. Online schools support this self-study time by arranging for online resources (available at their learning platform). And online teachers track the student’s performance through the intelligent monitoring mechanisms inbuilt within the learning platform.
With this mode of education, students can take more or less time to master concepts. But most online schools follow the mastery learning model wherein, students can move to the next topic only once they complete the previous one.
2. Positive Learning Environment
With online schooling, a student can stay away from the threat-prone environment of traditional schools. They can be secure at home. And continue to learn at practically any location as per their wish. With a reliable internet connection, a supportive device, and the handholding of an online school, students can carry on their schooling seamlessly. And this is not all, they can stay self-motivated and gain a lot of confidence in a positive learning environment.
This choice is ultimate for slow, at-risk, gifted, and differently-abled students. Because these students generally find it difficult to adjust to the ambiance of regular schools. Online schooling is a threat-free and secure educational alternative. And its format suits students who struggle in the typical atmosphere of traditional schools.
3. Pocket-friendly
Unlike regular schools, virtual learning is free from several miscellaneous expenses. This option brings down the need for several school supplies such as writing utensils and stationery etc. In addition, there is no extra cost of transportation in home-based learning, which is almost 10.5% of the total schooling expense in a traditional school, each year.
Traditional schools also charge parents in the name of extra-curricular activities, infrastructure maintenance, etc. But with online education, all this can be easily avoided.
4. Perfect for Parents with Transferable Jobs
For the ones who frequently relocate, this option is equally beneficial. Because with an online school a child need not be physically present at a particular location, just to attend a class.
Online students can attend their classes from any location across the world. And this location flexibility reduces the overall academic stress of both parents and students as well. Most virtual schools follow a predefined planner for online classes.
If you know how an online school works, then you can simply help the child to log in at the defined time for the class, and the rest is taken care of automatically.
People who relocate for various reasons can stay worry-free about losing their child’s productive study time. Besides, they can also save the child’s academic year by using the advantage of online learning.
5. Students become Tech-savvy
According to the ‘Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), we need to prepare students for the jobs of the future (that do not exist at this time). And to make this possible, we need to work upon the 21st-century relevant skills such as technological knowledge. Digital literacy and technological skills are certainly the future of this post-Covid world. And we cannot expect our students to survive amidst competition without these advanced abilities.
Relevant skill building is one of the greatest benefits of online schooling (explanation continues in the next section). Because online students acquire new-age skills and shape up as independent learners for life.
6. Inculcates High-order Thinking Skills
Online schooling is also considered a great choice to prepare students for this skill-driven world. Online teaching formats support students in a number of ways. And they become critical thinkers and problem-solvers over a period of time. These advanced capabilities help students to crack the best job opportunities. Because our current workforce has already delinked degrees from jobs. Digital education also gives an edge to a candidate during his/her recruitment. And such individuals are rightly believed to be better team players and know how to meet deadlines.
Target-driven online students are self-motivated learners. And most of the time, they do not need and extrinsic motivation whatsoever.
7. Educational Equity
In a country like India, educational equality is a big concern. Because our urban-rural divide affects 70% of our overall population (that resides in the rural areas).
India is a land of diversity. Unfortunately, educational equity is still a far-fetched dream for us.
But, with the help of internet accessibility, we can successfully provide better quality education in the remote areas of our country. And this also can help in eliminating various barriers to quality learning.
Post the pandemic, online learning is a credible solution for students who are out of the mainstream system. And they can complete their education even post a relocation. With all these advantages, this educational alternative supports developing countries like India to reach their goals of universal inclusion.
8. Allow More Time for Hobbies and Interests
Most Indian students are overburdened with school and extra tuition classes all day. They do not have any scope to pursue hobbies. And they compromise with their interests.
Online schooling is an option that can allow more buffer time that can be used to learn new skills or pursue hobbies. In this way, online students can invest their time in better ways. And the skills that they learn also give them an edge later in adulthood.
Final Thoughts:
Millions of students across the globe are availing of the real benefits of online schooling. It is a boon for students in this age of digitalization. And supports skill inculcation for the complex post-pandemic world.
From accessibility to student-centricity, this new mode of education is both convenient and beneficial.
