Seychelles and E-Learning |13 January 2021
Because of Covid-19, almost 1.6 billion children in 195 countries worldwide cannot use their classrooms. If school closures are extended for too long, there is a significant potential for loss of educational opportunities.
And to combat this educational crisis, E-Learning (electronic learning) or online teaching, has drastically increased worldwide.
And with the recent closure of schools all around Seychelles, most teachers and students will also have to resort to online teaching.
However, this form of teaching has proved to be controversial in different parts of the world. Although the very concept of online teaching may work in theory, in practice it is much more than “sitting in front of a screen and paying attention to your online lecturer”.
Although our small country is mostly developed, we still lack the facilities to effectively and efficiently execute online teaching, when compared to other MEDCs (more economically developed countries) such as Netherlands, France, United States of America (USA) or Germany.
E-Learning suggests to teaching students through technological methods, mostly in the form of WI-FI.
Although online classes are just as flexible and accessible as regular classes, students with the proper technology and facilities can easily follow online classes and not have to worry about missing out information or being left behind.
However, the opposite effect occurs to those who lack the equipment to follow through E-learning. The lesser fortunate students who are unable to properly follow online classes will most likely fall behind while other more fortunate students will have all the attention directed towards them.
Online learning also has more disadvantages. Students require good time managing skills to effectively follow the curriculum. And if you don't manage your time properly, you will find yourself buried beneath a seeming insurmountable mountain of coursework.
It is much easier to procrastinate during online classes, as the lecturer is not physically present to watch over students as they learn. Which can lead to students not working as expected, or simply not working at all.
However online teaching also has its good qualities. Online teaching is much more convenient and flexible to students who can easily access it, which allows the process to be less stress-inducing and gives us more time to focus on other interests we may have.
Online teaching may be a valuable solution to helping educate students during lockdown if properly executed. However as students we should not forget our responsibilities and do our parts to also further our studies.
Joshua Marie