By Thabo Peyi
June 2nd, 2024
3 min read
Online learning: Is it the future of education?
With the steady increase in the world’s reliance on technological tools, many industries have been forced to adapt their operating methods. The education sector is no exception to this. According to Statista, the number of online students in South Africa in 2029 is expected to be over 12 million. The COVID-19 pandemic fast-tracked the progression of many online learning tools, allowing both the public and private sectors to make use of them.
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What is online learning?
Online education can be defined as accessing or delivering educational content via the internet. Students enrolled in online learning can access coursework, learning materials, and participate in class from anywhere with an internet connection.
Online education takes many different forms, which allows participants to choose a method that is best suited to them.
- E-learning platforms: These are websites featuring sequenced learning programmes. Learners can submit assignments, take quizzes, or even participate in interactive content provided by a teacher.
- Virtual classrooms: This method allows learners to interact with their teacher in real-time via livestream, making it as close as possible to in-person classes.
- Hybrid learning: This combines both in-person and online learning. Students can attend classes in person as well as continue completing lessons online.
- Massive open online courses (MOOCs): These are courses open to anyone to participate in, free of charge.
- Online degree programmes: These are programmes offered by tertiary education institutions that allow students to complete their entire degree online.
There are many online learning platforms in South Africa, such as Shaw Academy, Udemy, GetSmarter, Coursera, and edX, that offer a wide range of subjects that can enrich young people from the comfort of their homes.
Benefits of Online Learning for Kids
Online education offers a range of advantages for children, potentially enabling them to excel beyond what a traditional classroom setting might allow. Here are some key benefits:
- Flexibility: Online education allows students to learn at their own pace. Those who take longer to grasp concepts can do so at their own convenience, while quicker learners can move ahead without being held back.
- Personalised Learning: Courses can be adapted to a child’s preferred learning style. This caters to students who might struggle or be too advanced in a traditional classroom environment.
- Engaged Learning: Specific online programs incorporate fun, interactive methods like games and multimedia content. This can keep students engaged for longer periods compared to traditional classroom settings.
- Wider Range of Topics: Online learning platforms provide access to a vast array of topics that might not be available at a local school.
- Improved Digital Skills: Online learning platforms necessitate the use of technology. This inherently increases students’ digital skills, which are highly valuable in today’s world.
The role YouTube plays in online learning
The role YouTube plays in online learning is immense. The platform’s diverse nature is crucial, offering a vast array of subjects that can spark children’s interest and encourage further exploration. As a video streaming service, YouTube caters to visual learners by allowing students to learn best through videos and imagery. It also excels at breaking down complex topics into more manageable pieces, aiding students’ comprehension. The flexibility inherent in online learning perfectly complements YouTube’s strengths. Students can pause, rewind, and replay videos as many times as needed to solidify their understanding.
Many fantastic YouTube channels cater to children’s education, offering content that deepens their understanding of various topics. Channels like TED-Ed, BBC Teach, Veritasium, Khan Academy, and Big Think provide a wealth of informative videos on diverse subjects, ranging from math to coding. This variety fosters a well-rounded learning experience that enriches students in many different areas
The advancement of technology and software has made online education a viable alternative to the traditional methods we’ve been accustomed to for so long. The variety of online learning formats allows us to consider all options and find a method that suits both children’s needs and their interests.
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Online learning: Is it the future of education?
Thabo Peyi
June 2nd 2024
3 min read
With the steady increase in the world’s reliance on technological tools, many industries have been forced to adapt their operating methods. The education sector is no exception to this. According to Statista, the number of online students in South Africa in 2029 is expected to be over 12 million. The COVID-19 pandemic fast-tracked the progression of many online education tools, allowing both the public and private sectors to make use of them.
What is online learning?
Online learning can be defined as accessing or delivering educational content via the internet. Students enrolled in online learning can access coursework, learning materials, and participate in class from anywhere with an internet connection.
Online education takes many different forms, which allows participants to choose a method that is best suited to them.
- E-learning platforms: These are websites featuring sequenced learning programmes. Learners can submit assignments, take quizzes, or even participate in interactive content provided by a teacher.
- Virtual classrooms: This method allows learners to interact with their teacher in real-time via livestream, making it as close as possible to in-person classes.
- Hybrid learning: This combines both in-person and online learning. Students can attend classes in person as well as continue completing lessons online.
- Massive open online courses (MOOCs): These are courses open to anyone to participate in, free of charge.
- Online degree programmes: These are programmes offered by tertiary education institutions that allow students to complete their entire degree online.
There are many online learning platforms in South Africa, such as Shaw Academy, Udemy, GetSmarter, Coursera, and edX, that offer a wide range of subjects that can enrich young people from the comfort of their homes.
Benefits of Online Learning for Kids
Online education offers a range of advantages for children, potentially enabling them to excel beyond what a traditional classroom setting might allow. Here are some key benefits:
- Flexibility: Online education allows students to learn at their own pace. Those who take longer to grasp concepts can do so at their own convenience, while quicker learners can move ahead without being held back.
- Personalised Learning: Courses can be adapted to a child’s preferred learning style. This caters to students who might struggle or be too advanced in a traditional classroom environment.
- Engaged Learning: Specific online programs incorporate fun, interactive methods like games and multimedia content. This can keep students engaged for longer periods compared to traditional classroom settings.
- Wider Range of Topics: Online learning platforms provide access to a vast array of topics that might not be available at a local school.
- Improved Digital Skills: Online learning platforms necessitate the use of technology. This inherently increases students’ digital skills, which are highly valuable in today’s world.
The role YouTube plays in online learning
The role YouTube plays in online learning immense. The platform’s diverse nature is crucial, offering a vast array of subjects that can spark children’s interest and encourage further exploration. As a video streaming service, YouTube caters to visual learners by allowing students to learn best through videos and imagery. It also excels at breaking down complex topics into more manageable pieces, aiding students’ comprehension. The flexibility inherent in online learning perfectly complements YouTube’s strengths. Students can pause, rewind, and replay videos as many times as needed to solidify their understanding.
Many fantastic YouTube channels cater to children’s education, offering content that deepens their understanding of various topics. Channels like TED-Ed, BBC Teach, Veritasium, Khan Academy, and Big Think provide a wealth of informative videos on diverse subjects, ranging from math to coding. This variety fosters a well-rounded learning experience that enriches students in many different areas
The advancement of technology and software has made online education a viable alternative to the traditional methods we’ve been accustomed to for so long. The variety of online learning formats allows us to consider all options and find a method that suits both children’s needs and their interests.
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