CHALLENGES OF E-LEARNING IN AN ERA OF SOCIAL DISTANCING IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract

The COVID -19 pandemic has disturbed the regular lifestyle of human across the world, the virtual world has come to the rescue. Educational institutions have changed their base to virtual platforms to conduct classes online. Government and personal organizations try their best to help one another by sprucing up their existing online platforms, apps and providing training to teachers to use the online resources at optimum level. Besides, efforts are being made by government [MHRD] and non-government organisations and ed tech companies to support the higher education system to make a smooth transition to the virtual world. Updating and encouraging teachers, organising counselling sessions for stakeholders like teachers, parents and students are a number of the important measures taken by the administration within the recent past.Many educational institutions have moved to virtual classrooms, with the tools such as Zoom, Google Hangouts and Microsoft Teams. But there are some still stressed to get online. Both the teachers and schools are putting additional effort to involve students in classes by changing the teaching pedagogy, taking feedback from parents and monitoring students constantly. there are some teachers who are using WhatsApp to stay connected with students. Some institutions are trying out online resources and virtual platforms like Google Suite and You Tube videos to make online classes as engaging as offline ones. But then again there are many pitfalls and drawbacks such as to write assignments, to take picture of it, and has to be submitted in mail.E-LearningA learning system supported formalised teaching but with the assistance of electronic resources is understood as E-learning. While teaching are often based in or out of the school rooms , the utilization of computers and therefore the Internet forms the main component of E-learning. E-learning also can be named as an internet enabled transmission of skills and knowledge, and therefore the delivery of education is formed to an outsized number of recipients at the same or different times. Earlier, it had been not accepted wholeheartedly because it had been assumed that this system lacked the human element required in learning. However, with the rapid progress in technology and therefore the advancement in learning systems, it's now embraced by the masses. The starter of computers was the idea of this revolution and with the passage of your time , as we get hooked to smartphones, tablets, etc, these devices now have an vital place within the classrooms for learning. Books are slowly getting swapped by soft copies and pen drives. Knowledge also can be shared via the web , which is accessible 24/7, anywhere, anytime. E Learning within the times of COVID-19, means, all learning through E Learning. Educational institutions are shut. Students are at resident.In the current scenario, professionals will be required to re-skill themselves every 3-4 years to remain relevant in their evolving job roles," said Zairus Master, CEO, Shine Learning.com, which gives access to certification courses from top global educational service providers. At this scale, e-learning platforms are the only way forward. Professionals will need to equip themselves with relevant skills before their current skills become obsolete. Moreover, the government is adopting a a series of measures to bring a technological revolution to accentuate e-learning which will ultimately lead to a major shift in the Indian education sector, experts added.E-learning platforms are bringing a measurable difference in students' engagement and performance. It is reducing gaps in the delivery of education and giving a new dimension to the education space," Pearson India Managing Director Vikas Singh said.