LEC052008-Anaswara T.H-Virtual Learning:Possibilites and Opportunities

                   Virtual Learning:Misconceptions and Opportunities

The Covid-19 pandemic had radically altered the lifestyles and modes of operation of mankind around the world.The new challenges that came with the global population being locked up inside their houses , called for new solutions.The technology came to the rescue and virtual medium was chosen as an alternative space so that people could still 'meet' and carry out what was left behind.After  many initial confusions virtual learning has been established as a 'new norm' that has led to discussions about its relevance.This essay attempts to look into the common misconceptions around this new mode of learning and the endless possibilities it provides.

Much of the misconceptions around digital learning stem from our acclimatization to the traditional pedagogical system which is essentially a expository and receptive learning.Traditionally a teacher,who claims to be the authority on a particular subject , comes to a 'classroom' ,creates a syllabus and articulates what is considered 'information' , in which students assume a passive role in the whole process.This passive role of students are disturbed by the virtual learning where they are made to involve more in the learning by 'searching' information and thus reduce the dependance on teachers.

Evidently self learning is one of the major silverlinings to the digital education.Self learning in virtual medium demands a vigorous participation of students contrary to the passive reception in traditional learning.The students look for resources on the particular subject,start to comprehend information and get to create their own personalized styles of learning.Even this process seems tiring initially as Otto Peters observes,"once a student has found an important starting point,he or she can start to "navigate" through an unknown "sea" of information and this is also a completely new term for an unusual pedagogical activity.What they are looking for here are those cognitive units of information that supplement and expand the information they have already acquired.....and in doing so they activate and cordinate elements of text,image,graphics and video files"

Virtual learning is accused of denying the possibilities of personal interactions which is considered crucial to learning while it brings together global communities to our small rooms.This global learning communities are an important boons of digital learning which was hitherto an unaccessed resource.As Otto Peters states "the pedagogical advantages" of such learning communities "are obvious:not only  are we faced here with an ambitious form of autonomous learning....but also with partnership learning and group learning,w hich strengthens the components of communicative learning."

Another misconception is around the 'digital incompetence' of teachers in using the virtual tools.The teachers popularly considered to be 'old' are  'digital immigrants' and hence they are deemed to find difficulties in tackling the new pedagogical system.But in reality the studies conducted among students who indisputably referred to as "digital natives' show that ,they lack the digital competence of virtual learning as well.As Michael Kopp observes,""it is important to distinguish the competences that are acquired through the private use of digital technologies and those that are needed for studying or teaching.In order to acquire the latter,it is necessary to design appropriate trainings for students and teachers(mandatory if possible) and to do so already during the conception phase of how to implement digital transformation."

One of the highest concerns include cost of internet facilities,a prominent one regarding the digital transformation in any field.While virtual learning still seems unaffordable to many sections of the society,it comes off as highly cost effective.Though initial costs are a bit expensive,virtual learning platforms prove themselves worthwhile with the countless opportunities and possiblities.Moreover many government and non government organizations provide financial aid to economically weaker sections to reassure that nobody is denied the amazing benefits of virtual learning.

Digitalization of education is not a new phenomenon.The sudden and unexpected pandemic might have rushed it a bit but nonetheless it is undoubtedly an essential change.Virtual learning has revolutionary benefits as an alternative learning mode and bouts of accesible opportunities unmatched by the traditional heteronomous learning system.

that are acquired through the private use of digital technologies and those that are needed for studying

or teaching. In order to acquire the latter, it is necessary to

References

Kopp,Michael.Groblinger,Ortrun.Adams,Simone."Five Common Assumptions  That Prevent Digital Transformation at Higher Education Institutions".Researchgate.net.March.2019.

Peters,Otto."Digital Learning Environments:New Possibilities and Opportunities".Researchgate.net.June.2000.

Soykan,Emrah."Covid-19 Pandemic and Online Learning:the Challenges and Opportunities".Researchgate.net.September.2020.