Online Learning

The Internet has become one of the vital ways to make available

resources for research and learning for both teachers and students to

share and acquire information (Richard and Haya 2009). Technology-

based e-learning encompasses the use of the internet and other important

technologies to produce materials for learning, teach learners, and also

regulate courses in an organization (Fry, 2001).

The deadly and infectious disease Corona Virus also known as Covid-19

has deeply affected the global economy. This tragedy has also shaken up

the education sector, and this fear is likely to resonate across the

education sector globally. The Covid-19 pandemic outbreak forced

many schools and colleges to remain closed temporarily. Several areas

are affected worldwide and there is a fear of losing this whole ongoing

semester or even more in the coming future. Various schools, colleges,

and universities have discontinued in-person teaching. As per the

assessment of the researchers, it is uncertain to get back to normal

teaching anytime soon. As social distancing is preeminent at this stage,

this will have negative effects on learning opportunities. Educational

units are struggling to find options to deal with this challenging

situation. These circumstances make us realize that scenario planning is

an urgent need for academic institutions (Rieley, 2020). This is a

situation that demands humanity and unity. There is an urgent need to

protect and save our students, faculty, academic staff, communities,

societies, and the nation as a whole.

Several arguments are associated with e-learning. Accessibility,

affordability, flexibility, learning pedagogy, life-long learning, and

policy are some of the arguments related to online pedagogy. It is said

that online mode of learning is easily accessible and can even reach to

rural and remote areas. It is considered to be a relatively cheaper mode

of education in terms of the lower cost of transportation,

accommodation, and the overall cost of institution-based learning.

Flexibility is another interesting aspect of online learning; a learner can

schedule or plan their time for completion of courses available online.

Combining face-to-face lectures with technology gives rise to blended

learning and flipped classrooms; this type of learning environment can

increase the learning potential of the students. Students can learn

anytime and anywhere, thereby developing new skills in the process

leading to life-long learning. The government also recognizes the

increasing importance of online learning in this dynamic world. The

severe explosion of Corona Virus disease can make us add one more

argument in terms of online learning, that is, online learning serves as a

panacea in the time of crisis.

Rapid developments in technology have made distance education easy

(McBrien et al., 2009). “Most of the terms (online learning, open

learning, web-based learning, computer-mediated learning, blended

learning, m-learning, for ex.) have in common the ability to use a

computer connected to a network, that offers the possibility to learn

from anywhere, anytime, in any rhythm, with any means” (Cojocariu et

al., 2014).Online learning can be termed as a tool that can 6 Journal of

Educational Technology Systems 49(1) make the teaching–learning

process more student-centered, more innovative, and even more flexible.

Online learning is defined as “learning experiences in synchronous or

asynchronous environments using different devices (e.g., mobile phones,

laptops, etc.) with internet access. In these environments, students can be

anywhere (independent) to learn and interact with instructors and other

students” (Singh & Thurman, 2019).

Online teaching is no more an option, it is a necessity

The major part of the world is on quarantine due to the serious outbreak

of this global pandemic Covid-19 and therefore many cities have turned

into phantom cities and its effects can be seen in schools, colleges, and

universities too. Betwixt all this online teaching and online learning can

be termed as the panacea for the crisis. The Corona Virus has made

institutions to go from offline mode to online mode of pedagogy. This

crisis will make the institutions, which were earlier reluctant to change,

to accept modern technology. This catastrophe will show us the lucrative

side of online teaching and learning. With the help of online teaching

modes, we can sermonize a large number of students at any time and in

any part of the world. All institutions must scramble different options of

online pedagogical approaches and try to use technology more aptly.

Many universities around the world have fully digitalized their

operations understanding the dire need of this current situation.

Therefore, the quality enhancement of online teaching–learning is

crucial at this stage. Online education in Chinese universities has

increased exponentially after the Covid-19 outbreak. There was an

overnight shift of normal classrooms into e-classrooms, that is, educators

have shifted their entire pedagogical approach to tackle new market

conditions and adapt to the changing situations. During this tough time,

the concern is not about whether

online teaching–learning methods can provide quality education, it is

rather Dhawan 7 how academic institutions will be able to adopt online

learning in such a massive manner (Carey, 2020). Resistance to change

will not help any educational unit across the world. They will be judged

on their pace to adapt to the changes in such a short period and their

ability to maintain the quality. The reputation of educational units is on

stake and under scrutiny. How well they behave and how well they

maintain their quality of education amidst this crisis shows their

adapting capabilities.
The shift from face-to-face lectures to online classes is the only possible

solution. Indeed, academic institutions would not be able to transform all

of their college curricula into and online resource overnight. Distance,

scale, and personalized teaching and learning are the three biggest

challenges for online teaching. Innovative solutions by institutions can

only help us deal with this pandemic (Liguori& Winkler, 2020). There is

a requirement of a quick shift to online learning mode; therefore, the

products by Google can be useful under such problematic situations;

they are (a) Gmail, (b) Google Forms, (c) Calendars, (d) G-Drive, (e)

Google Hangouts, (f) Google Jam board and Drawings, (g) Google

Classroom, and (h) Open Board Software (not a Google product, helps

in recording meetings in the form of files). These tools can successfully

be used as an alternative for face-to-face classes (Basilaia et al., 2020).

Problems Associated With Online Teaching and Learning

There are a number of technologies available for online education but

sometimes they create many difficulties. These difficulties and problems

associated with modern technology range from downloading errors,

issues with installation, login problems, problems with audio and video,
and so on. Sometimes student finds online teaching to be boring and

unengaging. Online learning has so much of time and flexibility that

students never find time to do it. Personal attention is also a huge issue

facing online learning. Students want two-way interaction, which

sometimes gets difficult to implement. The learning process cannot

reach its full potential until students practice what they learn.

Sometimes, online content is all theoretical and does not let students

practice and learn effectively. Mediocre course content is also a major

issue. Students feel that lack of community, technical problems, and

difficulties in understanding instructional goals are the major barriers for

online learning (Song et al., 2004). In a study, students were found to be

not sufficiently prepared for balancing their work, family, and social

lives with their study lives in an online learning environment. Students

were also found to be poorly prepared for several e-learning

competencies and academic-type competencies. Also, there is a low-

level preparedness among the students concerning the usage of Learning

Management Systems (Parkes et al., 2014).

Possible Solutions for Problems

Many issues are attached to online education but we cannot ignore the

benefits of it in times of such crisis. We can always have solutions to fix

these difficulties. Technical difficulties can be solved through

prerecording video lectures, testing the content, and always keeping Plan

B ready so that the teaching–learning process cannot be hampered.

Online courses should be made dynamic, interesting, and interactive.

Teachers should set time limits and reminders for students to make them

alert and attentive. Efforts should be made to humanize the learning

process to the best extent possible. Personal attention should be provided

to students so that they can easily adapt to this learning environment.

Social media and various group forums can be used to communicate

with students. Communication is the key when it gets difficult to try

reaching out to students via texts, various messaging apps, video calls,

etc content should be such that enable students for practice and also

hone their skills.

The quality of the courses should be improved continuously and teachers

must try to give their best. Online programs should be designed in such a

way that they are creative, interactive, relevant, student-centered, and

group-based (Partlow& Gibbs, 2003). Educators must spend a lot of

time in making effective strategies for giving online instructions.

Effective online instructions facilitate feedback from learners, make

learners ask questions, and broaden the learner horizon for the course

content (Keeton, 2004). Institutions must focus on pedagogical issues

and emphasize collaborative learning, case learning, and project-based

learning through online instructions (Kim & Bonk, 2006). The challenge

to educational institutions is not only finding new technology and using

it but also reimagining its education, thereby helping students and

academic staff who are seeking guidance for digital literacy.

All About The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Online Learning

Nowadays, online learning turns out to be more and more practiced.

Many traditional universities started to share their courses online for

free. It represents an easy and comfortable method to achieve knowledge

in almost every field, from law and accounting, to human sciences, such

as psychology and sociology or history. Online learning is a great

alternative to traditional universities, especially for people who can’t

afford the time and money to take real courses. But what are the

advantages and disadvantages of online learning?

Advantages Of Online Learning

Although many people still consider traditional universities as the best

way to achieve knowledge and get a diploma, online learning proves to

be a great alternative. Students have the chance to study in their own

time and especially for free. It represents a great way to study many

fields and to boost the level of self-motivation. Online learning is so

effective because students can finish their homework quickly, and there

is more time left for hobbies or for finding a job.

An access to all resources of a traditional course helps participants learn

wherever they are, leaving them the freedom to choose the time for

study. With basically an Internet connection, a person can attend

different courses. Among the advantages of online learning there are

the responsibility and self-discipline of students.

Disadvantages of Online Learning

Only in a small group a person can develop properly. At school, students

learn how to make friends, be patient, get rid of disappointment, and

especially to compete. Competition between colleagues can be very

stimulating and students will only benefit from it. Online

learning cannot offer human interaction.

Another disadvantage refers to the fact that online courses cannot cope

with thousands of students that try to join discussions. Also, online

learning can be difficult, if it is meant for disciplines that involve

practice