After reading our article “Digital learning during the pandemic” by Ms. Poulabi Chakraborty (https://lokenatheducation.com/blog/25/), few students were enthusiastic enough and voiced their opinion on Online Education and Digital Learning.

Honestly speaking we were blessed this time, when students felt that they can share their valuable opinions through us. Here’s what they have to say –

According to me advantages are – we can attend the class from the place where we feel comfortable and during illness we can able to be in the class also as there is no need to go outside from our home. Moreover here we get the recorded video of the whole session which is very helpful for us.
Disadvantage is basically the internet issues faced by different mobile service provider users.

Online education these days did bring our classrooms in our own rooms but didn’t bring the teachers along.
Me being an engineering student and many like me can sought ways to get busy in other activities online while keeping the online classes active. Even though we understand that in certain situations when we can access to our classrooms these online classes help us in our studies but it can never be the best alternative for the offline classes. Digital classes may be to some extent comfortable for us but then again without the classrooms and the board and markers it’s not complete.

So the advantages for online education are-
• One can watch any topic they want at anytime they are comfortable with
• No time limit. You can watch a lecture on 2x or 0.2x it’s up to you.
• You can re-watch nd make notes nd you feel this topic was not taught we you can contact the respective faculties or can just search other teachers who taught same topic
• Now a days there are online quizzes happening during the online lectures. So we get idea of what we have to do and at what we are lacking at.
• No boring lectures like schools/colleges
• There’s no ‘Teacher’s favorite’ in online classes. Like in school, the one who is teacher’s pet gets more attention compared to other kids. No favoritism can be gained in online classes according to me.
• The best part is- everything is free of cost or you have to pay a few hundred bucks. Like, you might have heard of Physicswalla sir. Studying and preparing with him costs for around 150-200rs.

I studied for my 11th -12th online. For me it was more effective and less time consuming.

Let’s talk about the disadvantages now-
• Some people are shy. So even though they take premier course they never ask doubts. Like in schools, teachers can see if you understand the topic and will help you personally but in online education some lack that privilege
• Some online institutions started to take lots of money for something which was free. Maybe they give you assurance that you will score good but still many students come online so they can get quality education at zero or low cost.
• When you use phones or computers for online lectures, few kids might get distracted. Like if you black out in school then teacher is there to wake you but in online classes kids might end up watching something or might get distracted.

Online Learning and Digital Learning Advantages:

• It reduces cost, as there’s no transportation required.
• There’s no fixed schedule, so each and every student can utilize their time in their own way.
• The transportation time that is saved can be used for other work and skills development
• Gives us networking opportunities
• Improves self discipline
• There is huge opportunity to develop and learn technical skills

Online Learning and Digital Learning Disadvantages:

• It is very harmful for our eyes, not only or children but also for adults attending Online classes in front of tabs or laptops
• Practical knowledge is not gained. For example, courses like Engineering, practical knowledge plays a huge role, which is very difficult to obtain through online mode of studies
• Interaction problems due to poor network
• Not gaining public speaking or oration skills
• For many students and teachers, mainly whom are not tech-savvy, faces difficulty while arranging the online classroom set up
• The vibe of working in a classroom is hugely missing