It’s difficult to say what online learning is. However, if it were necessary to provide a definition, we would characterize online learning as learning with the help of the Internet and a personal computer. Online learning is frequently referred to as e-learning and electronic learning. There are so many real-time study options that it’s hard to keep count. But why should people take classes over the Internet in the first place? Because there are many courses to choose from, it’s possible to communicate with the professor in various ways, and, finally yet importantly, the learning environment can be customized.
Let’s say that a person is interested in brushing up their chemistry. All that person has to do is open their computer or smartphone, find a good tutor, and start learning. It’s as simple as that. Electronic learning is experiencing a steady growth. The price is affordable and cutting-edge technologies are used. Many say the exact opposite – in other words, that online learning is currently lacking innovation. Is that so? The reality is that the state of online learning is excellent. The latest technologies are used in order to augment skills in students. Web-based instructors receive a lot of criticism and it’s hard to understand why. They have drastically changed their teaching over the years. The point is that modernization isn’t lacking in online education.
Why do people say that innovation is lacking in online learning?
There are countless surveys monitoring the growth of virtual learning. According to these reviews, there is a notable lack of innovation in learning that is carried out over the Internet. The reason for this is that instructors favor research and not teaching, not to mention that they have a tremendous fear of technology. It’s true that some teachers are afraid of putting to use electronics. These people were born in simpler times and just can’t seem to get accustomed to the new way of doing things. They don’t even attempt to learn how to use the technologies that youngsters master without great difficulty thinking that the process is far too complicated. There is also the fact that instructors are scared of being replaced by technology.
The good news is that not all professors hesitate when it comes down to using technology in teaching. A great number of them are conscious of the fact that virtual tools make their lives a lot easier, providing them an easy way to share content and encourage individual learning and growth. The question now is: why aren’t all online instructors innovating? The question is difficult to answer. What is that there are many factors inhibiting the adoption of leading edge technologies. In addition to the fact that many hold onto the original legacy systems, they are overworked. This is the reason why professionals don’t take advantage of opportunities for innovation. Attention needs to be paid to the fact that the number of teachers not innovating is extremely low. The point is that there is hope for online learning, as new methods and ideas are already present in online teaching and learning.
Innovation in online learning: What does it look like?
Real-time lessons take place in an interactive environment. Anyone who wishes to connect with an online tutor can do so without delay. Online professors provide the best tuition at affordable rates. Education takes place in the comfort of the home or in any place where there is Internet access. Professionals are currently innovating the landscape, always finding solutions for new problems. Here are just a few examples of technologies and tools that are used in the educational process.
1. Assistive technologies
Assistive technologies make it possible for learners to engage with learning in ways that weren’t possible in the past. Those who choose to are tired of traditional means of learning appreciate being able to access learning content and activities over the Internet. Electric worksheets are the best example of assistive technologies. Learners have the possibility to interact with the worksheets on the computer. The paper document is saved as a picture or in the format of a program. Those receiving instruction made available through the Internet are able to complete their assignments. Those who don’t like aligning problems with a pencil and paper find electronic worksheets to be very helpful.
2. Virtual reality (VR)
Virtual reality is thought to be the future of online learning. Besides the fact that it enhanced the traditional learning experience, it can drastically change the way that online programs are structured. Virtual reality is authentic. Everything that the person sees or hears is just like in the real world. Most importantly, it’s interactive. It’s possible to interact with various objects in the field. Many web-based tutors are using virtual reality to teach chemistry. Students learn how to manipulate molecules, for example, understanding how they work and clearly seeing how they look. The contents of the course are no longer discussed. Rather, people enter into the virtual space and experience the content in an interactive way.
3. Multimedia technologies
Multimedia technologies are practically computer-based applications that enable the transmission of ideas, as well as information. Technologies of this kind can be used in efficient ways in the teaching and learning process. Multimedia applications make distance learning particularly easy, increasing the interest for distance learning at the same time. The audio/video digital signals convey a great amount of data and they are readily available right away. An application isn’t just a simple connection between two users. It’s something that has the power to bring instructors and learners together, allowing them to choose the moment of the presentation.
The end of the line
On the basis of the points mentioned above, it can be concluded that innovation isn’t missing from online learning. There has been continued investment in modernization and instructors providing real time education can’t be blamed for not making an effort. Examples of technologies and tools include but aren’t limited to assistive technologies, virtual reality, and multimedia technologies. Learning innovation is present in the digital age and it leads to the enrichment of online learners.