Digital education has brought innovations – primarily in accessibility, allowing individuals to learn regardless of their location. Thanks to online platforms, educational institutions have become more responsive, and courses now take into account the needs of students better. However, it is now becoming clear that the complete absence of face-to-face meetings is not optimal: direct communication is still a key aspect of education. Experts talk about the reasons for this trend and ways to harmoniously combine online and offline formats.
Why do I need an offline mode?
The global incidence of covid has dramatically changed pedagogy, intensifying digital transformations at the global level. Now it has become commonplace for many to gain knowledge remotely, whether in educational institutions or in specialized courses.
Virtual learning has become a pathway to the creation of affordable specialized education, rapid reorientation of experts and convenient programs.However, distance learning is still difficult for many, it has its weaknesses. It is for this reason that we cannot completely abandon direct contacts.
The learning process consists of many stages: some of them are more effective online, while others require personal presence. Virtual activities include reading, homework, sometimes lectures and seminars.
Now many educational moments are digitalized, which allows the student not to be in a specific location to study the material or work on a PC. At the same time, there are tasks that require personal presence: laboratory tests, group discussions, and other collaborations. This applies to a variety of specializations, and not just those that require physical interaction.
Difficulties in moving online
Adapting to the digital environment is a challenge due to a number of factors.
- First, many face obstacles due to the lack of technical skills required for successful online learning. Problems arise due to limited technical skills among the population or due to limited access to the necessary equipment and stable Internet connections.
- Secondly, many people experience stress and anxiety when working in a virtual environment due to the unfamiliarity of this format. For example, adapting to video calls and maintaining concentration at the same time can be non-trivial tasks.
- One-on-one online education requires people to have a high level of planning and time management skills. Almost every student becomes their own manager, which becomes a significant challenge.
Three years after the beginning of the pandemic, it becomes obvious that the complete replacement of personal presence is impossible, direct interaction has a number of unique characteristics that are difficult or even impossible to recreate online. This may include:
- increased attention during classes;
- close interaction between teachers and students, between students;
- an environment dedicated solely to learning and knowledge sharing;
- the opportunity to create professional communities and actively influence their work.
Hence, in the digital age, educational organizations should not neglect traditional teaching methods. Digital transformation is a significant change, and its success is only ensured by a balanced mix of online and offline components.
The Hybrid Era in Education
To integrate online and offline formats, you need to do more than just reshape the content. It can continue to exist digitally, be it lectures, seminars, or interactive platforms. The main idea of hybridization is to create an environment where a sense of belonging and community becomes the basis. This makes learning more active and effective.
The central element is the formation of learning skills. In a virtual environment, this is complicated due to the student's individual approach to the platform. While facilitators and teachers can be included in the process, the lack of continuous interaction and knowledge sharing can lead students to perceive learning online only as a temporary hobby rather than a path to personal and professional growth.
You can look at the historical context that confirms the importance of such communication. During the Renaissance, bottegi appeared in Europe - prototypes of modern workshops. There, professionals of different directions worked together, studied and exchanged experiences, which led to significant progress in art. Interestingly, this education took place outside the walls of traditional universities, which focused on the strict specialization of knowledge.
According to experts, the adoption and dissemination of online education is the first step towards its democratization. Now the content is available far beyond the walls of universities, which were previously unattainable for many citadel. But as time passed, we realized that online platforms can still remain challenging for many. What's next? Introduction of physical learning spaces! We are not talking about traditional universities (their infrastructure can become an obstacle), but about new forms where the educational process becomes more adaptive. With this in mind, it is time to rethink our approach to offline education.
The global crisis has significantly changed the educational landscape, rapidly introducing digital solutions. Today's global learning opportunities are no longer surprising: virtual education provides a chance to expand access to professional programs, accelerate learning, and customize curricula. However, for many people, the digital environment remains a difficult obstacle, and this approach has its drawbacks, which should be considered in order to understand the importance of preserving traditional educational methods.
