The year 2020 saw a drastic change in every aspect of life. All the sectors were equally affected and had to face challenges due to the Covid- 19. Education was one of the sectors that were affected and had to shift from offline learning to online learning. The pandemic taught every student to take classes through online applications such as Zoom and Google Meet. Teachers were also required to transform their teaching ways and adapt to a new world of learning. This new virtual world of learning was welcomed by all. Students found it advantageous to learn through online classes. Teaching became interesting and sensory. Classes were made interactive so that students don’t lose their interest while learning on a virtual platform. Teachers began to come out of their traditional way of teaching and were open to new kinds of teaching-learning processes.
It has now been almost one and a half years since Covid has transformed our lives. We have now become accustomed to this virtual world of learning. Learners have adapted to sending homework through online portals and get evaluated in the same way. People have evolved when it comes to using smart devices for not just entertainment purposes but also learning processes. Now as we proceed towards the end of the second year of the pandemic we may now need to re-evaluate ourselves and shift towards the offline and traditional way of the teaching-learning process. But, will things become the same as they used to be two years back. Will we go back to becoming and accepting the same old methods to teach our future generations? Or will we act according to the situation and undergo another assessment of our Education System and find the latest way to impart knowledge.
Online Learning has been a blessing in disguise. It was adopted so that no student is devoid of knowledge. So that students do not lose a year of their education. Now this, blessing has become a boon. Students from all over the world can connect with the best teachers and learn according to their capabilities. Personalized, one-to-one classes have helped them to focus more and study better. It has made them aware of the nitty-gritty of technology. They have become accustomed to online learning in their day-to-day lives. Boards have simplified the process of evaluation to make it more accessible to the students. The advantages of online learning are now highlighted by students. They prefer learning from a safe environment and not being vulnerable to the virus, especially when vaccines have not arrived for children who majorly fall under the category of school-going students.
Corona Virus is still present in the air and such conditions, it can be fatal to get back to offline classes. Children are energetic and there are high chances of them not following the covid protocol in their school environment. They can become over-excited to meet their friends and may not maintain rules. If this happens there is a high chance of another wave hitting our country which will be no less than pandemonium and chaos.
The future may be hazy and unpredictable but the format of online learning will be an important part of the education system. People have become aware of its advantages. It has created room for itself. Even though the pandemic ends and students get back to school, the online platform will make notes, study materials etcetera easily available to them. Online classes have made a stronghold when it comes to facilitating knowledge in a wholesome manner. It has invoked the sensory organs of students. With the availability of videos on the internet on subjects like Biology, Physics and Chemistry it has become simpler to understand as well as comprehend topics which were not so easy previously.
Thus we may consider returning to offline classes, but online learning will play a major part for our future generation. It cannot be eradicated, it will be present to save us from any such virus in the future. We will not be clueless about taking place if any similar situation takes place in the future. Things have changed for the better and students have been satisfied with e-learning thus it will further turn a necessity in our daily lives as a source of knowledge.