Online Learning Pro and Cons
Online Learning Pro and Cons
Online Learning Pro and Cons
Assalamualaikum and a very good day to all. My name is ____________ from SMK _________. Today
I will be presenting a topic entitled: The Pro’s and con’s of online learning. Now lend your ears and
let me begin.
2020, what a year it will be. A pandemic that shook the world, followed by a lockdown that was
necessary to fight the Wuhan COVID-19. For a teenager of this generation it was an overwhelming
experience. For almost 3 months we were confined to our homes and not only that we lost a very
precious gift that we often took for granted; school. Schools were closed and students in Malaysia
we forced to do online learning. It was unprecedented, somewhat novel and even inconvenient for
some. Here are 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages of online learning.
The students of our world today are Generation Z. Generation Z are the largest generation ever,
comprising around 20% of Malaysia’s population and almost 30% of the world’s population. Globally
there are almost 2 billion of us. We are the first fully global generation, shaped in the 21st century,
connected through digital devices, and engaged through social media. However that being said,
education in Malaysia has predominately been the same. According to Reader Digest 2017,
classrooms in Malaysia retains the same characteristics it has 10-15 years ago. Chalk and talk, open
text book and copy, it is still largely maintained in our classrooms.
Ironically, it took a pandemic to turn classrooms fully digital. Teachers set up WhatsApp groups and
created fully digital learning environment using Google Classrooms. There, students and teachers
interact, discuss assignments and download their tasks. Need to do face to face interaction? We
have Zoom and Google meet. Some teachers went to the extent of producing online videos for their
lessons through Youtube and OBS Studio screen record. It offers flexibility you can study when you
want to, how you want to, where you want to and certainly it’s a step into the future.
Within an online discussion, the students respond to the materials and to comments from the
teacher other students. Students usually respond to those topics within the broader conversation
that most clearly speak to their individual concerns. These situations result in smaller conversations
taking place simultaneously within the group. While students should read all of their classmates’
contributions, they actively engage in only those parts of the dialog most relevant to their needs.
In this way, students control their own learning experience and tailor the class discussions to meet
their own specific needs. If previously they are shy to contribute during classroom interactions,
online learning has provided a new avenue for them to explore and contribute during teaching and
learning. Trust me, it was surprising to see the timid and shy students leave critical and
comprehensive comments during our online class. Online class had made it possible.
3rd Advantage Creative Teaching & Learning
The core belief in Teaching in Learning is the use of interactive learning environments as contributing
to self-direction and critical thinking. Some educators have made great strides in applying these
concepts to their on-ground teaching. However, many classes still exist which are based on one-to-
one interaction and rote memorization of materials. Maybe its due to the race to prepare us for
exams, the need to complete the curriculum and the fear towards novel approaches.
Well, online learning forced us to engage the nature of the semi-autonomous and self-directed
world of the Virtual Classroom. It makes innovative and creative approaches to instruction even
more important.
In the online environment, the teacher and student collaborate to create a dynamic learning
experience. If the students just give the teacher a ‘blue tick’ learning would not occur. It requires
two to tango and that happened through our adventure in online class.
Before any online program can hope to succeed, it must have students who are able to access the
online learning environment. Lack of access whether it be for economical or logistics reasons will
exclude otherwise eligible students from the online learning.
This is a significant issue in rural and lower socioeconomic neighborhoods. Furthermore, speaking
from an administrative point of view, if students cannot afford the technology they are lost as
customers.
As far as Internet accessibility is concerned, it is not universal, and in some areas in Malaysia and
other countries, Internet access poses a significant cost to the user. In Sabah & Sarawak we even
have a student who had to climb and sleep on a tree just to get internet connection. Even here in
Parit and Bota, some students are finding it difficult to get internet connection. No wonder some
teachers complained about the lack of participation from students in their Google Meets and Google
classroom sessions. This is a limitation of online classes that rely on Internet access.
For example, they must be able to use a variety of search engines and be comfortable navigating on
the World Wide Web, as well as be familiar with Google Classroom, Google Meet, Google Drive and
Gmail.
Not let’s look at this scenario, If the students do not possess these technology tools (for example :
Computer, gadjets and internet connection) they will not succeed in an online program; however a
student who cannot function or unable to use the system will drag the entire class down.
3rd disadvantage: Limitations of Technology
User friendly and reliable technology is critical to a successful online program. However,
even the most sophisticated technology is not 100% reliable.
Unfortunately, it is not a question of if the equipment used in an online program will fail,
but when. When everything is running smoothly, technology is intended to be low profile
and is used as a tool in the learning process.
However, breakdowns can occur at any point along the system, for example, the server
which hosts the program could crash and cut all participants off from the class; a participant
may access the class through a networked computer which could go down; individual PCs
can have numerous problems which could limit students’ access;
finally, the Internet connection could fail, or the institution hosting the connection could
become bogged down with users and either slow down, or fail all together. In situations like
these, the technology is neither seamless nor reliable and it can detract from the learning
experience.
In a nutshell, online learning does provide a sense of relief especially during the implementation of
the MCO ( Movement Control order). It enabled teachers to reach their students and ensure that
learning takes place. On the other hand It is still fragile as our learning community are not 100%
mentally or technically ready for this new norm. In my opinion going forward is inevitable, the
government must ensure that internet connection, virtual learning environment and ICT facilities are
on par and updated for the future on online learning in our country.