In this article, I have shared “Another Failing Grade For Distance And Online Learning”. In March and April of 2020, when all teaching, learning, and assessment took place totally online, it became evident that we were embarking on an unanticipated, global road test of virtual education.
Whether they liked it or not, online learning was about to engulf millions of kids, instructors, parents, and other stakeholders.
I predicted that this test would be critical for the future of online education at the time. The epidemic would hasten the uptake and acceptance of digital learning as a comparable alternative to traditional, in-person formats if it worked and people loved it.
However, if it did not work, or if the reviews were poor, it would likely add to online learning’s already terrible, less-than reputation.
We’ve seen a lot of reviews, surveys, studies, and tabulated results in the last two years, and almost all of them have been terrible.
Now there’s a new one to add to the list: a Soffos.ai survey. The Austin-based firm claims to be “developing the next generation of educational technology solutions” by delivering “the knowledge locked away in all your files and resources straight into the palm of your hand.”
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Another Failing Grade For Distance And Online Learning
Soffos conducted a survey in February of over 1,000 persons in the United Kingdom who “finished an academic or professional qualification during the pandemic.”
According to the findings, a sizable majority of 62 percent of respondents claimed that online courses and programs were “far more convenient” than traditional methods. That’s correct.
Technology dominates the sphere of convenience, and online programs should be more flexible and accessible than going to college and sitting in class.
The breath-taking statistic comes later: 39% of adults who finished their degrees “think their longer-term professional chances will be worse since they acquired some or all of their education digitally.” Yikes.
Another 47% of survey respondents indicated that “the quality of education they received decreased when the epidemic began, as a direct result of the move to online learning.” Again, yikes.
Those are “severe problems,” according to Soffos, who adds:
“When questioned about the specific problems of online learning, 54 percent answered that abilities like critical thinking and problem-solving are more difficult to acquire in a virtual environment.
Similarly, 53% said that online discussions and debates are less productive than those held in person, and 51% said that learning online makes them feel less creative because the format is often more regimented.”
When there’s a worldwide crisis, being able to study from the comfort of home gives students “flexibility and vital education continuity, not to mention some much-needed peace of mind,” as CEO and founder of Soffos.ai Nikolas Kairinos put it.
However, the benefits of peer-to-peer learning and in-person instruction should not be overlooked, and educators should not underestimate the difficulties students confront when learning remotely.”
Some argue that what we experienced and witnessed during the pandemic was more akin to emergency remote instruction than online schooling.
That’s perfectly great and a valid point. But that doesn’t change the fact that, whatever you call it, it didn’t go over well with the public. And not just any people – the purchasers despised it.
This is why the results of a recent survey are crucial to add to the discussion. The participants in this study were the test drivers, who were enrolled in online classes and paid for them. Those people would have a good perspective on pandemic-era distant learning.
We can also expect people who received their degrees online to be among the most enthusiastic supporters and defenders — may be second only to those who sell online courses and degrees.
No one ever argues their degree was worthless, for example. They had to pay for it. They are really eager for it to have meaning, for you to believe in it and appreciate it.
However, nearly four out of ten of them are apprehensive that earning their degrees or qualifications online may harm their job prospects. Almost half of those polled believed the quality was poor.
Students are not customers, and schools do not compete in the marketplace, at least not in the way you may think. Higher education sells its reputation as much as, if not more than, its knowledge.
It sells status and jealousy, as well as simple career and job classification. Reviews like the ones we’ve been getting are simply unsustainable in that environment, where what people think of your product is crucial.
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