Question

WRITE AN APPROPRIATE CONCLUSION TO COMPLETE THE ESSAY BELOW.

The world is currently faced with a global pandemic of the novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) which quickly spread to many countries of the world. Measures were enforced in each country to stop the spread of the virus. One of the measures taken was the abrupt closure of all schools which led schools to explore online teaching methods to continue learning among its students. Several categories of online teaching methods were used, chosen based on the topic, the target students, the requirements of the Ministry of Education and the demands of the users. Online learning methods can mimic actual classrooms, with required attendance at specific times, can be self-paced, or blended, and use a variety of tools to engage students and support learning. Asynchronous, Synchronous and Hybrid online learning are three categories of online teaching methods.

Asynchronous online learning is one category of an online teaching method. It is used to describe types of learning and education that do not happen in the same place or time. This is important because digital and online teaching platforms allow students to access learning materials prepared by teachers at a time convenient to them. Students and teachers can interact continuously through online forums. Examples of asynchronous learning are emails, blogs, online discussion board and game-based activities. According to Keith Bachman, “in times where small instructor-led classrooms tend to be the exception, electronic learning solutions can offer more collaboration and interaction with experts and peers, as well as a higher success rather than the live alternative”.

Synchronous learning is another type of online teaching method. This is live online learning from various places with many learners. Here an instructor teaches virtually not physically. One of the most important advantages of synchronous learning is that it would provide a better classroom environment because of the variety of media used for the personal contact. Since students of this age are very tech savvy it becomes very easy for them to adopt to the classes using their own devices. Secondly, it helps the students learn at their own pace, time and distance is also not an issue. This would mean that time and space are overcome with the help of technology. Thirdly, they also have a variety of materials which would suit the learning style and speed of the learners. However, the disadvantage is that there is a rigid schedule which one cannot break or miss. This would make people more stressed if it is accompanied by technical difficulties. Nevertheless, synchronous learning has changed the face of learning amidst the pandemic.

Finally, another class of the online teaching method involves hybrid online learning. Hybrid online course includes a combination of the asynchronous and synchronous learning systems. The goal of the hybrid teaching method is to combine the best elements of online teaching and teaching traditionally to give the best experience of learning. Students would be required to meet face to face and have classes online, due to the CoronaVirus disease persons will be assigned by the Lecturer to meet in small groups and a face to face class will be given on a specific day. According to PennState, research and effective practice has shown that this teaching method gives students the opportunity to learn class work before and after it was taught, leaving powerpoint presentations and providing readings online can ensure this.(PennState University, n.d)Students who don't understand what was taught in class can go back and look at previous which is a major help. This method is flexible and allows both students and teachers to balance their work, social life and other activities a lot better.

Answer 1

One of the most important changes brought by COVID-19 pandemic is the way education delivered while at the same time it has also brought out the vulnerability and unpreparedness of the educational industry in terms of delivering online lessons. Although technology came as a boon a long ago, educational institutions relied only on the traditional classrooms without introducing flip classrooms and online classrooms. However, this pandemic has brought out the need to prepare educational institutions, parents, students, government and other stakeholders to embrace technology more positively and encourage online classes in all its forms such as, Asynchronous, Synchronous and Hybrid not only in order to prepare for future pandemics but also to improve learner autonomy and responsibility for a better learning experience and reduce stress of the continuous traditional classrooms.

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