LEC052022. Gopika N. The consequences of E-Learning in the backdrop of the pandemic

Gopika. N (LEC052022)

Dr. Joseph Koyippally

Academic Writing (LEC 5014)

25 February 2021

                   Consequences of E-Learning in the backdrop of the pandemic

        The contagious disease caused by the novel corona virus, Covid 19 has altered the lives of people around the globe. In the blink of an eye, everything took an unexpected change, making the lives of people literally upside down, creating initial chaos among every sector of the society. We were all locked down inside our homes and soon, works, schools and colleges restarted, and thanks to the technological advancements; zoom meetings and google meets became the new mode of communication during the pandemic. Classrooms were all set up online, and students started interacting with each other, learning and unlearning, sitting in front of their mobile phones, tablets and laptops. But as the pandemic situation isn’t yet under control in many places, this system is still continuing. Online classes are becoming a real burden to students these days, due to the excess work pressure and prolonged class hours, which hence, are adversely affecting their health.

            The lockdown as part of the Covid 19 pandemic has been a challenge for people. One fine morning, we were all trapped inside our homes, with zero regard of until when, this shall continue. Though we all could spend valuable time with our families, locking ourselves inside the four walls of our homes, was a task of its own. Many people were under severe mental stress and emotional breakdowns, due to the severe relentless loneliness. The psychological state of people of all ages became fragile. Initially, the online classes became a savior amid the killing solitude and boredom. But excess works started becoming a burden, because the very subtle emotional fluctuations that many were handling couldn’t withstand the stress offered by the loaded academic works. “Several researchers have noted that overuse of technology can result in mental overload and disconnect people from nature, play and people. A child who spends too much time in virtual world is likely to have effective social skills to interact in the real world simply from lack of practice.” (Halupa). The adverse effects of prolonged online classes on the mental health of students are very deliberate.

        Likewise, it also has its share of negative impact on our physique. The absence of right posture can cause back pains, shoulder pains and neck aches. If this condition continues, this can lead to serious health issues. Dr. Adarsh Annapareddy, orthopedic and joint replacement surgeon, Sunshine Hospitals, says that the right posture and the right kind of study desk are essential, without which, the students are bound to complain about extreme pain on their backs, shoulders, and neck muscles because of slouching or straining for long periods of time, Continuous typing can cause conditions like Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, which can be considered as a long-term effect. The prolonged contact with screens, as most of us are aware of, will cause various problems to our eyes. Dryness and itching of the eyes, is a very basic condition, from which, the problems can even reach to an extend were, the continuous contact with radiation causes Retinoblastoma or retinal cancer. 

         Despite the physical and mental distress it causes, there is another major factor, which makes us rethink about the idea of online classes. Though there is a constant connection and communication between the students and the teachers, there can arise situations where students won’t be able to follow the lessons, as easily as they do in a conventional classroom. There are a lot of limitations in conveying ideas as well as conducting examinations. So, extra efforts must be put in by both the teachers and the students, to make the classes more constructive.

            Since, teachers are the backbone of the system of education, they have to be alert in order to make sure that all the students attend the classes. Added endeavors should be made to convey ideas more effectively. Examinations during Covid is another matter of concern. “From sudden loss of internet connection, to attachment errors, teachers have now seen it all. Of course, there are proctoring software and AI tools available, but when has surveillance acted as a deterrent for students, really. Eternal optimists and geniuses that they are!” (Kuniyl) Hence, extra concern should be made as far as the examinations are online, along with the active learning process. 

            A student should be an active learner to grasp things easily. Enhanced time management skills are also necessary, as chances for procrastination are more. Self-responsibility is required to manage the studies as the students are isolated as learners. Moreover, technological difficulties are another major issue that both the students and teachers have been facing, especially regarding the network availability and signal strength. “While discussing with a couple of teachers, it was their opinion that if the 80% students are taking the benefits, they shouldn’t stop the initiatives for the rest of 20%. Once, everything becomes normal, teachers need to give extra tutorials for the rest of 20% students. A few students have also mentioned in their feedback that although they have mobile internet connectivity, they always get in touch with the rest of the students and collect the recorded discussion of the online classes and submit their assignments on time.” (Dutta).

    Hence, we can conclude that online classes are a real burden to students as well as teachers, due to the various health hazards and other difficulties, including the struggles to adapt to the technological advancements. Though it is the need of the hour to be at the least, a partial tech-savy, the conditions amid which such changes are taking place, should also be taken into consideration. A drastic and quick adaptation is a task of its own, as far as the online classes are concerned, and thus, the difficulties faced are no less in number.

        Works cited

Halupa, Colleen. "Risks: The Impact of Online Learning And Technology On Student Physical, Mental, Emotional and Social Health"  6305-6314. 10.21125/iceri.2016.0044. 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311362980  Accessed on 25 February 2021

Kuniyl, Sarath Ramesh. "Exam in times of COVID-19: Down, but not out" The Week, 23 December 2020, https://www.theweek.in/leisure/society/2020/12/23/humour-in-times-of-covid-19-down-but-not-out.html Accessed on 25 February 2021

Dutta, Ankuran. "Impact of Digital Social Media on Indian Higher Education: Alternative Approaches of Online Learning during COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis" International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, vol. 10, Issue 5, May 2020 604 ISSN 2250-3153

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ankuran-Dutta-2/publication/341606651 Accessed on 25 February 2021