Online schools queue up as an alternate and accessible mode of schooling post pandemic.
Evaluating the prospects of online schooling
Schooling has always been a significant matter of concern for parents. This is perhaps the most vital decision a parent has to take for the child. It is not only grueling but nerve racking too whether you are making the choice for a preschooler or a high schooler. This single decision requires a lot of research from parent’s end and they would often run pillar to post to figure out the best possible choice. To add to this ordeal we had a pandemic that jolted the education system worldwide. Technology emerged as a saving grace to provide uninterrupted learning to children. Most exciting thing was to see the triad of student, parent and teacher being receptive and dynamic to accept the sudden change. Fair enough to say that we steered our way through this new learning set up pretty well.
Has the pandemic changed the schooling scenario?
As per the world economic forum Report, online learning has seen a serious surge in its usage with India being the second biggest consumer. The imperative point to make is that with the uncertainty around the virus variants and the outbreaks, the consistency of physical learning is challenged. Online schooling has emerged as the safest and consistent option. All stakeholders seamlessly transitioned to the online mode perhaps because that was the only way to let uncompromised learning happen. MOOC platforms have become a popular choice for accessing professional knowledge and skills. Data shows that technology has captivated education with improvised learning support like AI-driven Learning Management systems to track real-time performance, data-driven teaching, Mutia media-based digital content, and gamification. All this has made learning immersive and possible remotely. Some of the experiences in the STEM-based approach are now available through simulations, apps, and Augmented reality. IOT has enabled innovations for self-paced learning with AI teachers guiding children in their inquiry. Customization of curriculum for the personalized experience is enabled by AI and Machine learning. All this hints at the bright prospects of online schooling in years to come.
Is India transitioning towards online education?
Online learning has been the popular choice in the west. Indian parents have now become more receptive to the idea. As more and more International curriculums are emerging, the trend for admissions to foreign universities is also picking up. With online schooling the barriers to choosing curriculum and good faculty to teach them have collapsed. The asynchronous mode of teaching has brought flexibility to study subjects and courses of one’s choice and as per one’own convenience. This is truly a great example of the world being a big home where opportunities are ample and students and teachers have the agency to follow their true calling.
Some major advantages of online schooling are:
- The wider base of choice for curriculums
- The flexibility of time and place
- More time to pursue other interests
Who should choose an online school and why?
Online schooling is an option for all parents as it comes with advantages that outdo physical school in terms of accessibility and affordability. The “one shoe fits all” approach doesn’t apply to schooling as well, a parent must make a choice about the schooling keeping in mind the collective need of the child and his own. Parents traveling frequently, students looking for nonacademic career options like sports, or who want self-paced learning may like to look into online schooling mode. Online schools are providing curriculum choices and affiliations that can definitely appeal to parents looking for international admissions. Online schools can provide structure to Homeschoolers for smooth transitions to curriculum requirements in higher grades. Trends also predict that online schooling will pick momentum in time to come as a popular choice without any mental blocks or reservations that parents might have about compromised social skills or societal pressure to pursue the conventional mode of schooling.