Internet, A Learning Tool
Teachers and students faced multiple challenges during the pandemic. While the transition from offline to online learning has been a forced one during the pandemic, this has led to a huge change in the way of teaching and learning.
A few questions that came up during this transition
1. How to move to online education and what tools to use?
2. How to conduct online teaching sessions smoothly?
3. Is learning through online classrooms easier than a “regular” class?
4. What Internet skills are required for an online class?
5. How to convert learning activities into online mode, and how to assess? Where to look for additional
information?
And many more such questions.
The teachers and students needed support in two main areas:
• First, the online tools and techniques required to make the teaching learning process effective.
• Second, the resources and platforms needed for online learning & teaching.
The Internet emerged as a savior through which children could continue their learning.
There is no doubt that the Internet has the necessary potential to improve the quality of education in today’s date.
Internet Resources such as electronic addresses, uniform resource locators (URL), websites, mobile apps, databases, Internet blogs, social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and many online resources helped the education system continue without disruption. Needless to say, everyone had to learn, equip, adapt, practice and perform. The entire world relies on the internet for routine tasks such as shopping, sending mails, reading the news, looking for reviews, etc.
We all depend on this service because it has made our lives easier and comfortable. Therefore, we must support the use of technologies within the classroom to access resources, pictures, images, data, maps, and events. It is evident that the use of computers and having access to the Internet is the best way to educate our students with the latest updates.
Internet Resources such as electronic addresses, uniform resource locators (URL), websites, mobile apps, databases, Internet blogs, social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and many online resources helped the education system continue without disruption. Needless to say, everyone had to learn, equip, adapt, practice and perform.
However we must remember that the Internet may not be the solution to all the challenges posed by education; it can help to reveal human capabilities and abilities to learn by researching that can ehhance both learning and teaching. The use of the internet in education is to restructure the sharing of information and communication. It allows students to access contents online and refer to relevant study material in various multimedia formats. It also helps teachers by letting them use various tools in the teaching process, it opens a new learning platform for teachers in preparing lesson plans, assignments and worksheets.
The Pros and Cons of Internet Learning
Access to the Internet is essential in achieving the vision for the future that the world committed to achieve by 2030. It can improve the quality of education in many ways. It opens a wealth of information, knowledge, and educational resources, increasing opportunities for learning in and outside the classroom.
Roadblocks and Challenges
Even though the Internet provides opportunities to improve the quality of education with new strategies of teaching and learning, access to more contents and resources, new skills for the digital age, none of these benefits are guaranteed, unless it is made affordable and easy access is provided to all. It also requires training the people with the digital knowledge and the right tools to be used on the Internet effectively ensuring safety.
However, accessibility, reach, and affordability are some major factors that need to be considered within the Indian Economy, to ensure that ALL children can have education, and not just the middle or upper classes. A certain level of digital literacy is also required to avail the offerings of the internet.
Once these issues are resolved, education will no longer remain just a dream for almost 50% of the Indian population.
Internet may not be the solution to all the challenges posed by education; it can help to reveal human capabilities and abilities to learn by researching that can ehhance both learning and teaching.
Padmini Sriraman, M A in History and Economics, M Ed and M Phil, is the Principal of The Hindu Senior Secondary School, Chennai. She is also the Vice Chairperson of Chennai Sahodaya Group of Schools. She received the CBSE National Award in 2012 and the Best Principal Award from the Bombay Stock Exchange. She has also received awards from Mylapore Academy, Rotary Club, recognition from various other institutions and the International School Award from the British Council.
She has written social studies books for Classes 6, 7 and 8, EVS books for Classes 1 to 5 and articles in educational magazines. She has conducted workshops in Social Science, EVS, Classroom Management, Handling Slow Learners, Life skills, Value Education, CCE, and Study Techniques in various states in India, also at Dubai and Doha. She has learnt Carnatic music, does oil painting and was a basketball player during her school days