Online learning: Fundamentally part of the digital era

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As the Covid-19 pandemic swept across the globe forcing governments to implement lockdowns and self-isolation for months to contain the spread of the virus, this subsequently led to a cessation of face-to-face classroom interactions as we knew it.

Over the past year, virtual classrooms have become the “new normal” as global Covid-19 lockdowns limited physical classroom interactions. Many academic institutions fast-tracked the implementation of online learning as they tried to continue with life under the new circumstances. While some learners who are more familiar with physical classroom interactions may find the complete transition to online learning somewhat intimidating, it offers several benefits. The use of technology can help optimise learning to improve learner engagement and achieve learning outcomes. 

Adult learners often find themselves struggling to balance formal class attendance in the face of increasing work-related and personal pressures; online learning provides a flexible environment where they can log in and learn at their own time and pace. This article aims to equip both learners and instructors on how to make a success of online learning. 

Online learning: The ‘new normal’ in education

Signifying trends of a 21st-century digital era

The Covid-19 pandemic saw academic institutions around the world transition from traditional face-to-face learning and blended learning and hybrid learning, to which most adult learners have been exposed, to complete online learning where electronic devices turned into virtual classrooms. Blended learning involves learning within a traditional physical classroom that incorporates approximately 25% of web-based learning. In contrast, hybrid learning is composed of a 50/50 combination of physical classroom learning and online learning. Some adult learners may have previously been exposed to blended and hybrid learning, but a complete switch to online learning may prove daunting. 

Online learning has proven beneficial for life-long learning among adult learners, provided the design and implementation of the online courses are conducive to an engaged learning process. The flexible nature of online learning often means the learners can connect and learn when they have availability in their busy schedules. This type of learning also fosters independent learning as instructors take on more of a facilitation or coaching role, which ultimately empowers learners to take charge of their learning and become less dependent on course instructors. 

Expected outcomes of online learning

Employers are always looking for potential employees with theoretical knowledge and a hybrid of skills and competencies learned in conjunction with the academic programme. This is where online learning provides an advantage. These include, among others, engaged learning through online discussion forums, exposing learners to real-life workplace simulations, and enhancing the learners’ technological skills and competencies. 

Online learners — roles and responsibilities

Learner engagement 

Online learning can be a catalyst in developing leadership qualities among learners as they take on a more proactive and independent role in their life-long learning, which provides an advantage for career advancement. The feeling of intimidation some experience when it comes to online learning can positively impact learners learning organisational skills and being encouraged to be involved in civic engagement and global citizenship. 

Recommended attributes of an online learner

As frustrating as online learning can be for adult learners, it should not be used as a “scapegoat” for shortcomings from a learner’s study approach. Some introspection on the learners’ side is required to make a success of online learning. Online learning serves as an equaliser for all learners, it bolsters collaborative efforts and innovative thinking; and adult learners can use skills acquired in previous learning to apply instructions and recommendations from instructors correctly. 

On the other hand, it is essential that learners partaking in online learning have some form of minimum required knowledge within their field of study. This will minimise frustrations and increase their success rates due to their ability to logically organise their thinking at field-specific advanced levels; otherwise, learners may find it challenging to progress in their studies. Success at online learning will also require learners to have a sense of purpose and make intentional efforts in using learning material to achieve their goals. 

Learners’ expectations

While instructors may design and ensure the online learning environment is well maintained as per learner expectations and the module for which they registered, there needs to be acknowledgement that learners may find the online learning environment intimidating and may feel discouraged due to technological or logistical issues. Virtual classrooms present a challenge of offering learners a limited opportunity for personal interaction with instructors. Thus, it would be a fair expectation for learners to request online courses to be more comprehensive and stipulate clear aims of the expected course outcomes, including grading and exam specifications and course dates and timelines. 

Instructors/lecturers – roles and responsibilities

Instructor engagement

Online learning does not equate to distance learning where learners are expected to undertake studies on their own and completely independent of instructors. Instructors are still expected to use various academic methodologies to facilitate learning that promotes learner engagement. For instance, instructors could prepare live online pop quizzes where students can log in at the end of a lecture, which will enable the instructor to gauge how well the learners grasped the learning material. 

Online learning as an interactive process

Instructors should deliberate about engaging learners in a dynamic learning environment that will promote individual and group learning. For example, online breakroom sessions can be organised to allow learners to have group discussions and the instructor can briefly join the individual groups to facilitate the discussions further. This interactive online learning process will promote learner engagement from a social, cognitive, behavioural, collaborative and emotional perspective. 

Creating conditions for success

Online tuition will require instructors to create conditions conducive to learner success through further research of study material that will ensure assignments and other assessments further optimise the learners’ learning experience. Measures that can enhance and optimise online learning include good communication with learners, clarifying the aims and outcomes of study units, ensuring proper access to resources and student engagement, showing mutual respect, and providing tasks that stimulate intellectual development. Learners should also be offered support structures through study guides, including clear instructions and contact details, available during their study time. Such a support structure could perhaps be in the form of a discussion forum that instructors regularly monitor to respond to any course-related queries raised by learners. 

The way forward

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced academic institutions to make a fast and total switch to online learning in a world where adult learners are better acquainted with blended and hybrid learning. Granted, the total switch might not be a permanent scenario. Still, as technology continues to advance and evolve, education institutions must adapt and continue to guide learners through this unfamiliar territory of online learning as this might be a preferred learning method in the foreseeable future. 

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