Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying Online
According to the public consultation results from the European Union’s 2020 Education and Training data, nearly 60% of the surveyed families had not used distance and online teaching before the health crisis. In addition, the adaptation to online platforms, such as the Pinup App, an online casino application, demonstrates the versatility of digital platforms not just for education but also for leisure and entertainment purposes.
Furthermore, 95% believe that the pandemic represents a point of no return for the use of technology in education and training, over 60% of respondents think that their digital skills have improved during the crisis, and more than 50% plan to continue with online training. This openness to digital platforms, exemplified by the engagement with applications like Pinup App for entertainment, showcases a broader acceptance and integration of technology in our daily lives.
For all these reasons, we find it necessary to analyze all the advantages and disadvantages of studying online, acknowledging not just the educational but also the recreational applications of digital technology that have become a significant part of our routines.
Advantages of Online Training
There are certain features that notably differentiate online education from any other. These are the most relevant:
- Variety of Tools for Participation
The participation and interaction of students are encouraged through the use of different platforms: forums, chats, interactive games, and other tools and applications inherent to teaching and 5.0 technology. The possibilities of online training are endless, as e-learning platforms evolve with new technologies.
The participation and interaction of students are encouraged through the use of different platforms: LMS (Learning Management System) environments allow students and faculty to chat in real-time, collaborate on learning projects; interactive games, which allow learning in a faster and more intuitive way and facilitate the development of digital thinking; online educational tools for mind mapping, brainstorming, organization, and time management that allow students to develop greater autonomy in learning.
The possibilities of online training are very broad, as e-learning platforms evolve with new technologies.
- Rapid Content Update
Online education digital platforms allow for quick and easy content updates, even in real-time, and the addition of new sources from which to acquire new knowledge.
- Freedom and Flexibility
One of the strengths of online training and some of our courses, such as online English for adults, is the possibility to study anytime and anywhere, and in some cases like ours in different formats (materials, classes, video lessons, etc.), so online training allows for a great reconciliation of studies with work life and personal commitments.
- Diversification and Quality of Teachers
Studying online allows for the involvement of a teaching body composed of professionals and experts in the subject who, for professional or geographical reasons, could not carry out the lessons in person.
- Recorded Classes
One of the main advantages found in online training is the possibility to review/listen to videos, audios, or explanations as many times as desired, to comfortably settle the concepts.
- Reduction of Environmental Impact
In a world increasingly concerned about pollution and climate change, we can consider the reduction of the environmental impact as one of the advantages of eLearning, as it promotes the reduction of travel and paper use, fostering the reduction of the so-called “carbon footprint”.
We have seen that the advantages of online training are many and varied, but what about the disadvantages? Let’s analyze them.
Disadvantages of Online Training
On the other hand, if we are within an educational revolution that sees online education as a protagonist, it, besides presenting numerous advantages and benefits, also has a series of disadvantages:
- Discipline and Organization
In some cases, having great freedom and flexibility, the student must have a high level of discipline, responsibility, organization, and commitment.
Therefore, you must be a very organized person with high doses of willpower to make the most of your time in the best possible way. So, if you’re not sure you have those characteristics and can make that extra effort, perhaps online education is not the most suitable for you.
- Lack of Socialization
In many cases, students like to interact with their peers, meet people, share points of view, carry out group work… And that is something that online training does not allow, at least with the same intensity as face-to-face training, and which is posited as one of the main disadvantages of online education.
- Lack of Technological Knowledge and Quality of Means
The student must have a minimum mastery of technological skills to not have problems when studying online. Additionally, not all institutions that offer online training have the necessary technological tools for an effective process. It is important to obtain the necessary training in digitalization to be able to face online training.
- Towards the Future of Education
There is no doubt that we are in the midst of a great educational revolution. Not only in terms of technology influence but also regarding learning methodology.
We have moved from a standardized system focused on the teacher, content, and memorization to a personalized model focused on the student, practical learning, and teamwork.
We believe in the new education 5.0, where face-to-face and online education and e-learning must collaborate with a single goal: to provide students with effective, continuous, and updated education.
