Adult education and the Digital Age

Challenges To Online Learning

https://www.cipcourses.com/blog/digital-learning-challenges/#:~:text=Missing%20Social%20Interaction&text=The%20in%2Dperson%20dynamic%20is,outside%20of%20the%20course%20material.

Twenty to thirty years ago the news was a daily print run in a newspaper or a scheduled broadcast on radio and television, these were the standard formats; today we have instant access to news as it happens that fits our personal timetables.

Education was no different, compared to the traditional classroom model, digital learning has plenty of advantages for teachers and students. Teaching and learning can take place whenever and wherever is most convenient for everyone. Many students who excel in a classroom will struggle with an online course. Even those who have no trouble mastering the material can fall behind on assignments and fail assessments.

I as an adult learner struggle with self-discipline in virtual classroom settings. It feels weird that I don’t have parents and teachers actively checking in. In an online course, it’s even easier to “skip class” or put off an assignment. I need to use calendars, reminders, and organizational tools that can provide structure without seeming overbearing.

I also miss social interaction. The in-person dynamic is hard to capture in an online course. But make collaboration a fundamental part of the coursework. Working together with shared documents, and Teaming up together with projects for assessment are helps.

The last thing is technological difficulties, as I and the family move into a temporary place, sometimes relying on a tablet for all the online activity is difficult. Some days even have limited access to the internet or Wi-Fi, and I do believe some students are in the same situation too.

Online learning can make education more accessible and convenient for teachers and students, but it’s not without its challenges. It’s important to anticipate potential obstacles and give students the tools to overcome them. The right structure, technology, and course materials can better equip students to succeed.

As an educator, I am grateful for the lessons learned and the incredible organizations that openly shared curriculum and assisted those who were thrown into online teaching during COVID. The patience of colleagues and students who worked through the trials and errors.