Online Vs Offline Education - Advantages and Disadvantages

The "New Normal" has become the most bittersweet phrase since the beginning of the global pandemic Coronavirus (also known as Covid-19). Coronavirus is a deadly infection first discovered in China in December 2019. With time it spread globally and took a form of a global crisis. For the first time in many years, a disease had stopped the entire world from functioning normally. Every country imposed a nationwide lockdown to prevent the infection from spreading, as it is highly contagious. Since then, everything has become online, from classes to offices, grocery shopping everything. This form of life is called the "new normal". Schools and universities are conducting classes, exams, presentations, viva, etc., all online. Online education is learning via online classes as per the convenience of the students and teachers. In comparison, Offline education is the traditional learning system where students and teachers have face-to-face learning. Both forms of education have their advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of online education:

It is flexible; can be accessed from anywhere with a device and internet connection.
Budget-friendly.
Convenient attendance.
Class recordings are available for later references.

Disadvantages of online education:

One of the major disadvantages faced by students learning online is managing screen time. Online education requires staying logged in on the screen for an extended period regularly. Long-duration screen time becomes a great difficulty for the students and harmful for their health as well, especially the eyes.
Another disadvantage includes technical glitches. Poor Internet connectivity issues also arise multiple times during online sessions. Small towns/cities, urban areas face the most difficulty maintaining stable Internet connection. It destroys the learning of the students.
Other disadvantages include: Feeling of isolation by individuals, Minimal peer help, Group work not as efficient as it would be if done offline.

Advantages of Offline classes:

Students are fully attentive towards class only; less distraction. Online classes have more possibilities of distractions where students may surf on other online platforms or pay less attention in class.
Teachers can provide individual attention to the students, address their issues and solve it quickly.

Disadvantages of Offline classes:

Students may lack the opportunity to learn advancing technology.
Time management becomes an issue for students who reside far away from campus.
No recording or any other form of data is not always available for students who missed the class or later references.

The advantages and disadvantages can differ from person to person. The ones listed above are few general ones commonly heard. Online education is more favourable for secondary school and university students, as they are less prone to develop health consequences than younger students. Offline education will allow younger kids to create a habit of functioning in a different environment and explore it. Most young kids do not want to study with their parents or elder siblings, for which going to school is beneficial for them.

Some tips for teachers for efficient Online Education:

Making short sessions/periods of classes. Preferably 40-45 minutes.
Minimum 15 minutes break between every class.
The last class of the week can be held as doubt clearing sessions.
Assigning tasks and deadlines according to other classes, so the students do not have submission deadlines with the same dates for more than one subject.

Some tips for students attending Online Education:

Stay away from the screen during break times.
Eat healthy, Have enough sleep.
Discuss any doubts with teachers at the soonest possible.
Note down doubts for doubt clearing sessions.
Inform teachers beforehand or immediately of any technical glitch.