The 2019 pandemic outbreak has affected the world economy with an unprecedented wave of social distancing and isolation. It has brought significant changes to education and training systems globally as well. Learning, teaching, and communication in general were inevitably transferred to online tools, as this pandemic event accelerated the digital transformation.
Remote education has exploded in 2020 as an emergency response to the widespread physical closure of education and training institutions. The community of education had to adopt and support distance learning as the ultimate solution. This fast-paced shift has speeded up further digital transformation of education.
From my teaching experience having lectures on the field of business administration, international business, and human resource management, physical communication cannot be entirely substituted by digital methods. However, choosing the appropriate digital channels matters.
Indeed, synchronous distance learning emerges a plethora of challenges. Internet speed connection and stability is a critical one, while having the hardware and software needed must not be taken as a given. Many students or teachers do not have the appropriate machinery to support a smooth distance learning experience. Additionally, not all people have the experience, confidence, knowledge, skills, and competence needed to organize and deliver distance education effectively.
On the contrary, asynchronous distance learning, enhanced guidance to students, and personal willingness are the key to distance learning success. Indeed, asynchronous methods give you the ability of scheduling, mastering time needed to absorb new information, and perceive professional multichannel learning.
Moreover, it is critical if professors can record lectures at a fully equipped studio and upload them after the appropriate montage to fit the material to modern needs. Electronic classes can be supported by digital books and other material in electronic format, hence making the whole experience even more interactive. It is crucial to adapt and prepare educational content and to ensure its use in distance learning and virtual environments. Accordingly, continuous monitoring of the feedback mechanisms and information provided is vital for the development of a successful digital community.
For instance, one of the major challenges has been the issue of ensuring inclusion and equal access to quality distance learning opportunities. But, if we think about how many students and professionals cannot have physical access to educational places due to mobility challenges and time management issues, being economically disadvantaged, or geographically isolated, then both methods (physical and distance learning) have disadvantages. Also, managing assessment and grading is a difficult challenge, while this requires the integrity and awareness of both students and professors.
In conclusion, distance learning as an attempt to ensure the continuation of the learning process is critical. Society must be well-informed and open to adopt new training methods as the spread of digital tools cannot be reversed. In this respect, physical contact and experience must not be interrupted, as they are environments that provide a sense of professional structure and of community and opportunities for socialization and status. But digital tools could support more people to be educated, even if they do not have the required means needed to access traditional training methods.
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