In the Post-Pandemic Era, Is Online Teaching Feasible in The Future?

In the Post-Pandemic Era, Is Online Teaching Feasible in The Future?

Online learning is a straightforward educational method that motivates students to study anywhere—utilizing the most recent technologies aids in gaining comprehensive knowledge. Education is keeping up with the digital transformation as students benefit from online learning and individualized instruction. As a result of the current epidemic, which abruptly pulled billions of pupils from their classes, online learning has gained popularity (Chiodini, 2020). Even educational institutions use online learning strategies to keep up with the times. Online learning needs a computer or mobile device, as well as an internet connection, and offers educators and students many benefits. Anyone can purchase a course that piques their interest and study it from a distance. Additionally, this has allowed people to efficiently explore, acquire, and transmit information while spending little money. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many educational institutions to use online learning. However, it is still being determined if the online learning trend will continue because some institutions have already removed online learning from their system in this post-pandemic world.

As an international student studying in the US, I could not travel to attend physical classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily, my university offered online classes, enabling me to continue my studies. Online learning was convenient for me during the pandemic (Chiodini, 2020). Despite its many advantages, I encountered some significant challenges while studying online, and this made me reflect on its feasibility in the post-pandemic era or period. The flexibility associated with online learning makes it a good choice. For instance, I could access lectures and course materials anytime and anywhere with online learning. Since I was entirely at home during the pandemic, this flexibility enabled me to balance my studies with different commitments like home chores. Through online learning, I could also access different multimedia sources like discussion forums, interactive quizzes, and videos (Nguyen, 2015). These materials helped in improving my learning experience. I, however, encountered some challenges during online learning. One of the challenges was the inability to stay engaged and motivated in my studies because I was not required to attend lectures physically. I also missed the face-to-face interactions with my peers and professors. The lack of these physical interactions limited my capacity to seek feedback, as questions, and collaborate on assignments. Also, the hands-on or lab-based courses could have gone better with online learning. I could not choose courses involving lab practices, limiting my course selection options.