ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORMS: CREATING NEW TRENDS IN EDUCATION
By Enobong Ukpong
INTRODUCTION
Improvements in education over the past several years came with technological advancement, which has allowed the redefinition of the traditional way of teaching and learning.
Most businesses and educational institutions are utilizing these online learning platforms to facilitate the learning process. Thus, knowledge is now easy to acquire, flexible and cheap. They have also attracted the tremendous amounts of economical resources that distinguish education within its boundaries of creativeness. In this sense, the geographic accident, in terms of distance, and geography of contents and aspects of flexibility of the learning formats have become outdated.
This article discusses the definition of distance learning platforms assists in unmasking their advantages, underscoring the problems, their detour, and potential barriers to education in the future.
WHAT ARE THE ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORMS CONCEPT?
Online learning platforms are a type of environment accessed via the internet that aids learning. They enable students, working people, or anyone wishing to study new information to get away from any altitude so long as there is internet, and take up courses or lectures, do quizzes, and other engaging content. Examples include Coursera, Udemy, Khan Academy and edX among others, which offer Various courses from technical to art subjects.
Not forgetting zoom, Using a laptop with an Internet connection and other apps, learn with Skype. These platforms, which provide both free and paid courses, are usually made with ease of use in mind. To improve the entire learning experience, they also offer services like progress monitoring, certificates, and peer involvement through discussion boards.
THE BENEFITS OF PLATFORMS FOR ONLINE LEARNING FLEXIBILITY:
The flexibility of online learning platforms is one of their biggest benefits. Students may manage their education with obligations to their families, jobs, and other commitments by studying at their own speed, whenever and wherever they choose. This is especially helpful for professionals looking to advance their careers, adult learners, and individuals who weren’t fortunate enough to grow up in affluent families.
This further supports the adage that “learning is a continuum,” particularly for individuals who have had stressful days during their early academic pursuit when going through ups and downs and vowed under stress never to pursue any academic endeavors again, yet life studying has been easier with the introduction of online learning.
ACCESSIBILITY: Online platforms make education accessible to people in remote areas or those who cannot attend traditional institutions due to financial or logistical constraints. All that is needed is an internet connection, making it easier for people around the world to access quality education.
DIVERSE COURSE OFFERINGS: These platforms offer a wide range of courses across different fields and disciplines. Whether someone is interested in programming, art, business management, or even soft skills like leadership, there is likely an online course available.
COST-EFFECTIVENESS: Traditional education often comes with significant expenses, including tuition fees, accommodation, and textbooks. In contrast, many online courses are either free or relatively affordable, making education more accessible to a larger audience.
CUSTOMIZABLE LEARNING PATHS: Online learning platforms offer learners the opportunity to create personalized learning paths. Students can choose courses based on their interests and career goals, allowing them to focus on areas where they need improvement.
INSTANT FEEDBACK AND PROGRESS TRACKING:
Most online learning platforms provide immediate feedback on quizzes and assignments, allowing learners to understand their strengths and areas for improvement. Additionally, learners can track their progress and stay motivated as they complete modules and courses.
CHALLENGES OF ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORMS
Despite the numerous benefits, there are also challenges associated with online learning platforms:
LACK OF FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTION: Online learning lacks the physical interaction between students and teachers that is present in traditional classrooms. This can result in a sense of isolation for some learners, and it may be difficult to build a strong support network.
SELF-MOTIVATION AND DISCIPLINE: Since online learning is largely self-directed, learners need to be disciplined and motivated to stay on track. Without the structure of a traditional classroom, some students may struggle with time management and procrastination.
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: Online learning platforms depend on technology, which can sometimes fail due to poor internet connectivity or software issues. This can disrupt learning, particularly for students in areas with unreliable internet access.
QUALITY CONTROL: While many online courses are of high quality, others may not meet the same educational standards. It can be challenging for learners to distinguish between reputable courses and those that offer little value.
POWER OUTAGE: Most of the gadgets and tools used for online learning depends also on electricity, therefore places where there is outage in power supply the purpose of learning in this aspect becomes defeated.
THE ROLE OF ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORMS IN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION
The global COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of online learning platforms, with schools and universities around the world forced to transition to online education. This shift has demonstrated the importance and potential of online learning in the future of education.
The COVID-19 pandemic witnessed in 2020 gave me hands-on experience while as a teacher with the Merilebon Academy school in Uyo, where we were made to engage our students in online learning while they were at home. I made use of Google classroom, this app provided me an opportunity to connect with my students in delivering lessons to them. It was impactful because they used laptops, some made use of their smart phones and tablet. While joining the lessons they were made to respond during the online lessons as they did each homework given to them. When the pandemic was finally put in control students upon resumption gave testimony of the impactful online learning during their stay at home.
In the coming years, it is likely that online learning will continue to grow and evolve. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) into these platforms will further enhance the learning experience, making it more interactive and immersive. Moreover, online education will play a critical role in lifelong learning, helping individuals adapt to the rapidly changing job market.
CONCLUSION
Online learning platforms have revolutionized education by providing flexible, accessible, and cost-effective learning solutions. While challenges such as self-motivation and technical issues remain, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. As technology continues to evolve, online learning will likely become an integral part of the global education landscape, ensuring that education is accessible to all, regardless of location or circumstance.
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