Good morning! It’s time to wake up and start school…ONLINE. How do you feel about transitioning to remote learning due to the Covid19 pandemic? Remote learning also known as distant learning, involves students using the Internet to attend classes and complete courses. While it can be challenging, it is important to keep a cool head during these hard times. Here are a few pros and cons to remote learning that might help put things in perspective.
Remote learning offers flexibility in your learning schedule and completion of assignments. For example, on Mondays we have half days for students to work asynchronously and catch up on work. The flexible schedule is very effective. Sarah attends MAST and says it has helped her a lot to catch up on the work. Another benefit of remote learning is the time students save on the commute to school and the expenses. Instead, students need a computer and stable Internet connection to engage in classes. Kajabi (2020) says remote learning allows students to pursue other career or educational opportunities while completing their online coursework. I agree because I have personally been researching and applying for jobs. I also take opportunities to attend after school tutoring when I need it, which I attend more since it is online.
A big con of remote learning is that it does not help in developing oral skills and social interactions. For example, Math class in remote learning drastically differs from in-person learning because a student may not understand and solve Math problems as well on a laptop. In-person learning creates a supportive and engaging environment to ask a classmate or teacher for help. Technical difficulties are another disadvantage of remote learning. Technical difficulties are hard to avoid and can be a student’s worst nightmare. For example, the audio may not be clear or there may be Wi-Fi issues that can cause students to be late to class or unable to attend at all.
Although remote learning has its pros and cons, what matters is how you approach this “new normal”. If you approach it with a positive mindset, it may be easier to deal with the disadvantages. Try your best, organize, work hard, and I am sure you will see amazing results. Overcoming the obstacles requires strength, courage, and patience. You can do it; anything is possible!
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