Benefits of e-learning
E-learning (online learning) is not new.
In fact, people have been learning online for decades.
The Open University in Britain began delivering learning online in the early 1990s.
That said, for a fair number of parents online learning for their children is new territory.
Covid has made e-learning a more attractive option for parents seeking alternatives to the traditional schooling system.
These alternatives could be in the form of fully fledged online schooling or extra-curricular and co-curricular options. For example, if your child needs extra maths support or extension, then hiring a face-to-face tutor is no longer your only option.
Advantage Learn answers five questions asked by parents considering an online learning option for their kids:
1. Why should I consider it?
Firstly, because of its ability to enhance your child’s academic performance. Online learning is not a less-effective or lower-grade learning modality for your child. Recent studies are showing online learning is just as effective as the classroom, if not better.
It may be a great decision to use an online learning solution to help your child perform better academically.
When full distance learning was first implemented online for advanced programme mathematics, there was concern that results wouldn’t match in-person classes. In the first three years of the programme, the online learning students outperformed in-person students.
Secondly, for financial reasons. While online learning is not always cheaper than in-person options, a number of online learning solutions leverage larger economies of scale and usually cost a lot less.
Thirdly, for convenience. Online learning makes it possible to learn from wherever there is an internet connection and a device that can browse the web. This means you can forget the hassles of dropping off and picking up from extra classes etc.
2. Is online learning safe – pupils are not supervised?
This is a great question and an important consideration. Online learning is safe when approached in the right way with the right controls and measures in place.
However, it is safe if the online learning solution/ provider you choose is reputable.
Staff and teachers go through stringent background and criminal checks so parents can rest assured their children are in safe hands while online.
In addition, interactions over online learning platforms should be monitored to make sure learning is the focus and nothing untoward is taking place.
If you choose the right solution and/or provider, then online learning is just as safe as in-person learning.
3. What are the hidden costs?
Simply choosing the supplementary online learning solution and purchasing it is not the end of the budgetary considerations. Major costs are:
The cost of the programme/solution,
The data costs. Most online learning is done over video media which can mean, on average, around 1GB of data per hour.
The device costs including maintenance. To learn effectively a pupil will need a big-screen device and the supporting stationery.
4. How do I choose the right online learning solution?
First establish your current context. When choosing a new school for your child you would look at the location, facilities, curriculum, costs etc. Choosing an online learning solution should be treated much the same.
Consider your child’s learning context and then to filter your options.
The second step is to actually engage with providers to see what they suggest and offer.
If you struggle to get helpful advice from your chosen provider then it is likely they are not going to support your child’s learning as well as you would hope.
5. How do I know my child is actually learning?
Parents may feel like they need to be monitoring their children constantly.
However, if you have chosen a reputable provider/ solution then the monitoring and management of the learning will be facilitated, and parents can choose their level of involvement.
Using online learning to supplement your child’s learning is critical in this day and age and has great benefits. – Citizen reporter