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The Benefits and Drawbacks of Online Learning (E-Learning / Digital Learning)

The COVID-19 pandemic took the world by surprise. The world seems to have come to a halt because
of this pandemic. Most importantly, this pandemic has completely disrupted our education system. The COVID-
19 pandemic has triggered new ways of learning. One of the most used terms during the pandemic is the term
“new normal.” The new normal in education is the increased use of online learning tools. The COVID-19
pandemic has forced educators across the country and worldwide to shift from the traditional face-to-face
teaching to online teaching. As a result, education has changed dramatically with the distinctive rise of e-
learning. Today, online learning has emerged as a necessary resource for students and schools all over the
world. Nevertheless, everything has its own share of advantages and disadvantages. Online learning is
no exception. Online learning has both positive and negative aspects.

First, let us look at the benefits of online learning. First and foremost, it is more convenient. Online
learning allows students to study from any place where they have a stable internet access. All they need is a
computer or laptop, tablet or a smartphone, and an Internet connection. Students do not have to attend classes
for hours or sit in an uncomfortable chair till the end of the day. All lessons and needed materials are provided
via online platforms, so we will easily access them from the comfort of our home. Instead of the daily hassles of
commuting to school by busses or carpools, now students only need to open their devices and it connects them
to their classroom.

Secondly, online learning allows students to study at their own pace. This is because online lessons can
be recorded, archived and shared for future reference. This allows students to access the learning material at a
time of their comfort. They can choose to quickly go through topics they understand, or they can spend more
time on topics they find more challenging. Students can be more actively engaged because they can make their
own choices.

Besides, online learning saves a lot of time. Objective practices are auto-marked with answers

provided. This saves time in manually marking the questions. Children can save time by searching for the topics
or notes they want using search functions. They do not have to go through piles of books to look for a specific
topic, especially those taking UPSR, PT3 and SPM exams. These students can easily obtain all the previous
year’s materials for their revision.

In addition, online learning is more interactive and fun when compared with traditional learning.

Students can add images, audio and videos in their notes, to make studying more interesting. Short educational
videos are also more efficient to retain attention and help in memory recall. Some online programmes also
provide rewards.

Moreover, parents can actively help their children. Parents can become active agents in the teaching
and learning process in online learning. Parents and family members can provide guidance and assistance to
make the learning process pleasant for students. Although teachers can always deliver lessons and learning
materials online, learning needs interaction with the physical world. When it comes to the need for references to
physical interactions, family members need to play a role.
 Nevertheless, there are two sides to every coin. Let us now look at some of the disadvantages of
online learning. One of the most common challenges of online learning is Internet access. While online
learning looks like a learning tool available to anyone, in reality, it’s not. Not everyone has stable internet access
that is powerful enough to support online streaming. A consistent connection with decent speed is a problem for
students living in remote areas. Although, Internet service providers have been giving out free data packages,
they are simply not capable of supporting video calls on programs such as, Zoom. On top of that, many do not
even have suitable electronic devices for online learning. Some have to share their devices with their parents.

Apart from that, students are exposed to more distractions in online learning compared to face-to-face
classes. With online learning, there is a greater chance for students to get distracted easily with social media or
other sites. Students are more likely to chat on Facebook or WhatsApp, watch videos on YouTube, surf on
Google, play video games or listen to music while the online class is going on. This is probably because
students are not able to focus on screen for long periods of time.

Furthermore, online learning is not suitable for every subject. Practical skills are harder to pick up from
online learning, especially for Science subjects that need laboratory practical. Although lab practical is
something teachers can easily share information about, record videos of and explain via online learning, the
practical experience is still essential. This is because lab practical requires hands-on training in the school’s
Science lab. The practical experiments in the lab are necessary to help develop students’ memory and
understanding.

Other than that, many parents are concerned about the health hazards of having their children spend so
many hours staring at a screen. This increase in screen time is one of the biggest concerns and disadvantages
of online learning. Sometimes students also develop bad posture and other physical problems due to staying
hunched in front of a screen.

Additionally, students may feel a sense of isolation because there is less social interaction. This is
because learning online is a solo act for the most part. Learning in a traditional classroom is interesting because
more human interaction is present. There are classmates to connect with and an instructor to consult for
immediate feedback. There are lively group discussions and students raising their hands asking questions. This
lacks in online learning.

To conclude, online learning is a growing and exciting new way to learn.   We cannot deny the fact that
online learning has brought a positive impact in the lives of students. Learning is no longer confined within the
four walls of a classroom. Knowledge and education are important in the life of every person, but there are
different ways of obtaining them. Currently, online learning is seen as the best alternative to help students
continue with their learning journey. However, it is not convenient for everybody. Majority of people say online
learning is beneficial whereas others argue that it has disadvantages as well. Whatever the case is,
there are various opinions to consider and they are all true in their own right.