Who knew that a pandemic could potentially change learning forever?

Good morning/afternoon/evening, everyone, my name is Daunte Barnett and today, I’d

like to discuss my topic, “How Online Learning Affected Students”, under the theme of
Technology.

Online Learning, better known as e-learning, refers to a mode of education in which

students access educational material and interact with teachers and classmates
through digital platforms such as Google Meet/Google Classroom, Zoom Meetings or
Blackboard

● Over the past few years, online learning has become increasingly popular, and the
COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated its growth to another level. While it has
some advantages that grew the appreciation for e-learning it has also brought
about some challenges and limitations that have affected students in various
ways.

I’ll begin with the positives followed by the negatives along with a few solutions to the
negatives then concluding with the evaluation of my sources.

Advantages

1. Flexibility: It provides students with the ability to access course materials and
complete assignments at their own schedule. This is particularly beneficial to
students who have other commitments, such as work or family responsibilities.

2. Convenience: It eliminates the need to travel to a physical classroom, which

saves time and money. Students can potentially learn from anywhere as long as
they have access to a computer and an internet connection. This is extremely
beneficial to students who live relatively far from school.

3. Lower Costs: Online learning can be considered as less expensive compared to

physical learning. This is because online learning eliminates the cost of student
transportation, student meals, and most importantly, real estate. Additionally, all
the course or study materials are available online, thus creating a paperless
learning environment which is more affordable, while also being beneficial to the
environment.
 4. Efficiency: offers teachers an efficient way to deliver lessons to students. Online
learning has a number of tools such as videos, PDFs, podcasts, and teachers can
use all these tools as part of their lesson plans. By extending the lesson plan
beyond traditional textbooks to include online resources, teachers are able to
become more efficient educators.

Disadvantages

1. Lack of Face-To-Face: One of the most significant effects of online learning on

students is the lack of face-to-face interaction with teachers and classmates.
Students tend to feel isolated and disconnected from their peers and instructors,
which can negatively impact their motivation, engagement, and sense of
community. It is also difficult for teachers to assess students' understanding and
provide feedback in a timely and effective manner.

2. Health & Wellbeing: online learning has also led to an increase in screen time
and sedentary behavior, which can affect students' health and wellbeing. Sitting
in front of a computer for long periods of time can cause eye strain, headaches,
and other physical discomforts. It can also lead to a lack of physical activity and
socialization, which are essential for a healthy lifestyle.

3. Technical Difficulties: online learning relies heavily on technology and having

these difficulties are a major obstacle which deeply affects learning. Internet
connectivity issues, software glitches, hardware malfunctions and the list goes
on. These can all negatively affect the learning process and cause frustration to
students.

4. Self-Discipline & Motivation: online learning requires a high level of self-

discipline and motivation on the students’ part. They need to be able to manage
their own time effectively, stay motivated and simply be responsible for their own
learning.

Solutions

1. For the Lack of Face-to-Face: the most that can be done is enabling the
microphones and camera during online classroom sessions. This way students
and teachers are still able to communicate and give feedback despite the
distance between one another.
 2. To Maintain Health & Wellbeing: Breaks from the screens are recommended as
well as being seated in a comfortable chair that maintains an upright position.
This way students can maintain their health while learning online.

3. To Prevent Technical Difficulties: The best thing to do is to ensure the electronic

device in use is completely up to date to be able to operate efficiently and
effectively and to have access to a reliable internet connection.

4. To Create Self-Discipline & Motivation: Students need to be able to create a

schedule of their assignments along with their due dates to be able to efficiently
complete each one at the appropriate time.

In addition, online learning has also highlighted the disparities in access to technology
and reliable internet connection. Students from low-income families or rural areas may
not have the necessary resources to participate in online classes, which can lead to
further inequality in education.

Moreover, online learning has also encouraged the development of digital literacy
skills, which are becoming increasingly important in today's job market. Students who
are proficient in using technology and online tools may have an advantage in their future
careers.

In conclusion, online learning has had both positive and negative effects on students.
As we continue to navigate the challenges of online learning, it is important to find ways
to mitigate the negative effects and maximize the positive ones.

I’d now like to evaluate my sources

Primary Source:

Secondary Source: