Are online classes better than the actual school?

 

Who would have thought that one day, our lives would turn upside down?  That one day, we would witness a pandemic. That leaving the house without a mask will make our lives vulnerable. 

Since the WHO declared COVID a pandemic, we all have shifted to alternatives, and our dependence on electronic gadgets has increased by 82%! Sounds concerning? Living in the digital era, the point of debate nowadays is whether online classes are better than the traditional classes which I believe are not. 

 

People argued that online classes run smoother than the actual classes because it is easier to keep track of students as they can collectively store children's assignments.  There is no physical barrier to stop one from studying. Moreover, they believe studying at home reduces the stress a student carries as they are in a comfortable environment. To add more, students can communicate with their teachers and receive constructive feedback quickly. It has increased flexibility as students have control over their schedules. 

 

If we look at the other side, online classes have distorted the structure and flow of teaching. Students are aiming to complete assignments instead of “learning”. They are unable to grasp the basic concept of the topic. Online classes are time-consuming. Students are required to be active learners while attending continuous classes which can be mentally and physically exhausting for the students. Moreover, the online platform has given students freedom, perhaps more than required. To study consistently and effectively, the students are required to be independent and have skills such as time management which some students might lack. It becomes difficult to maintain consistency because their environment is too comfortable. Many students may procrastinate and lose self-determination after a certain point. As a result, a student is responsible for their learning because online classes feel like an option rather than a compulsion. 

 

“Human beings are social animals. We were social before we were human.”-Peter Singer. 

Our survival depends on another person’s efforts. As humans, social interaction is one of the important factors required for our emotional and mental growth. However, online classes limit our social interaction with people. It can cause students to develop social anxiety. They might even forget how to interact in different situations. They can encounter situations where they are not able to communicate effectively which can be a problem in the future. Moreover, it is difficult to make new friends as there is no face-to-face interaction.  

 

One of the risks due to the increased usage of electronic gadgets is physical discomfort. Firstly, there is barely any movement while working on computers. 

Secondly, lack of movement tends to make students lazy which can affect their heart. Furthermore, prolonged sitting will cause an accumulation of fats inside the body cells which can cause obesity. While attending continuous classes, students may not realize their body posture and end up having backaches which can have long-lasting side effects. To add more, computers have majorly affected our eyes. Constantly staring at the screen makes the eyes dry and sore which can cause poor eyesight. 

 

To conclude, traditional classes are far better than online classes. It pushes students from their comfort zone and allows them to learn skills such as public speaking, confidence, and creativity.  There are longer breaks and more physical activity in an actual school. Since the school has a different environment, students might realize the necessity of studies. 

 

Feel free to drop your opinions and feedback :)

Kritika Chhetri and Ishita Sharma