Bridging The Gap During Pandemic Times: Making The Most of Distance Learning

  • 2022-01-25

Because of the widespread closure of schools and universities across the country as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a movement away from in-person instruction toward online instruction. Despite the fact that many believe that the transition to remote learning is only temporary, the Covid-19 has elevated e-learning to the mainstream. 

As a result of this pandemic, it is true that online learning is becoming increasingly popular; yet, many parents and students are still unfamiliar with the concept of remote learning. To make remote studying from home a little bit more manageable, here are some suggestions to assist children to succeed in their online courses.

Get To Know The Technology 

Educators should begin by taking into consideration the technical and methodological challenges related to distance learning companies. Once the possible problems have been identified, a strategy for conducting successful remote learning can be devised. Everything you need to know, from audio and video software to word processors, plagiarism checkers and screen recording tools, you should aim to familiarize yourself with so that you can answer the questions your students will throw your way when they are confused.

Make Sure You Meet Technical Requirements

A decent laptop equipped with a webcam and a keyboard is required for online learning. What matters is that your computer is up to date and that an antivirus program is installed, regardless of whether you use a Windows laptop or a Mac. 

Remove any programs that you aren't currently using and perform a disc cleanup. This will free up enormous amounts of space on your computer by deleting unused system files, temporary files, and trash from your recycle bin, among other things.

Mute Yourself

If you are participating in a live lecture with 60 other students, you should silence yourself while you are not speaking. You won't have to worry about interrupting your classmates if a dog starts barking. In most video conferencing applications like Zoom, a tiny symbol appears to indicate that your microphone has been muted. When you want to participate in the debate, unmute the microphone.

Set Aside A Study Area

Your study space should be comfortable and favorable to learning. Maintain a comfortable chair and workspace in order to minimize any discomfort. Make sure that you have adequate illumination in order to avoid eye strain. Decide on a location that is calm, where there are few distractions, and where there is little possibility of being interrupted.

Take Regular Breaks

Taking study breaks will assist you in remaining focused on your studies. It is possible to feel more energized after engaging in some little physical activity, such as a walk in the fresh air, which can help you focus and concentrate better on your studies when you return to them. Avoid gazing at screens during these breaks and try to get out of your study room as much as possible when taking a break.

Take Feedback From Students

In order to encourage students to contribute their thoughts and suggestions on particular improvements to educational procedures, teachers should provide opportunities for students to do so. Keeping the dialogue going and making it productive is possible when teachers reply swiftly. This method is critical during distant learning when students lack the opportunity to interact with a human touch. 

You can build a training exam, a feedback form, or a questionnaire by utilizing the Google Forms tool. Additionally, encourage students to make a screen-recorded video of themselves voicing questions using free video capture software like Apowersoft, IceCream, and Screencapture.com.

Keep Your Eye on the Webcam

In case you're attending a lecture, keep an eye on the web camera on your laptop. In fact, only use a web camera when absolutely necessary. If this is the case, unplug or cover your webcam. Spying with a webcam has become commonplace these days. Hackers can infect your computer with spyware and hijack your webcam, allowing them to discreetly observe your every move.

Use Plagiarism Checkers

Plagiarism checkers inform pupils that teachers can now be on the lookout for plagiarism at all times. In addition, authorship verification aides encourage students to establish a distinct writing style and to enhance their writing abilities by providing feedback. This reduces the use of copy-and-paste and raises the level of academic honesty. As a next-generation "must-have," consider dynamic proofreading and plagiarism-checking tools such as Hemingway Editor as an addition to your educational environment.

Make Sure To Only Use Verified Links

Cybercriminals are finding an increasingly lucrative market for their different frauds and scams as a result of a large number of students and teachers cooperating online. Therefore, teachers should categorize all of the digital resources they use into different groups. 

It is possible to identify which internet resources are the most reliable and safe based on the students' ages and learning objectives. Furthermore, teachers should be proactive in studying best practices for configuring security and privacy features, as well as ensuring that all data is safeguarded with anti-malware software before implementing them.

Join Online Communities

Online learning does not have to be a solitary experience, and it should not be considered such. Take advantage of opportunities to interact with other students while participating in online conversations or group activities. When chatting online, always remember to be respectful and considerate of your tone. 

To avoid misconceptions, avoid using sarcasm and write in complete phrases to avoid misunderstandings. These opportunities can assist you in getting the most out of your education. Sharing contact information with other learners can assist you in developing a personal learning network that will last beyond the course you are now enrolled in.

Conclusion

Distance learning is tough. But academia is obviously moving towards digital. Choosing the greatest and most effective app or program for your needs might be difficult. Don't be afraid to use our suggestions in your work. Distance learning is poised for success thanks to teachers' invaluable personal commitment and cutting-edge technology.