The world has already witnessed a major shift in the education system due to the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. During a crisis, educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities, were compelled to adapt their educational processes to an online system, enabling students to learn remotely. The pandemic crisis is over, but the positive effects of e-learning and online education are noticeable, as they have opened a new door for future education.
The full recognition of online education has not been reached in many countries, and it mainly happens with the postgraduate and undergraduate programs. Now the biggest question is, if an online system for education can be trusted in a crisis, why can it not be a part of the regular education in normal days?
Reasons behind Hesitancy for Full Recognition of Online Education
- Educational Quality - A lot of authorities are afraid of the fact that online education can damage the quality of education that students deserve. The concerns of a lack of hands-on practical training in the field of specialization are also crucial, as online learning is not applicable for applied sciences, the medical sector, and engineering.
- Academic Integrity - One of the biggest challenges in students’ identity verification during examinations in distance education, and also in this age of AI. It questions academic integrity for all students and the lack of e-proctoring technologies.
- Digital Infrastructure - Online education requires a strong digital infrastructure, which can be a little bit difficult for all students in different nations. This can be considered a primary obstacle in developing countries, where not even the internet is available at every level.
- Legislation and Regulatory Frameworks - The higher education frameworks and legislation established in most countries are older than the modern digital revolution. Therefore, the policies are still unequipped to fully accommodate the digital education system.
Why did e-Learning become successful during the days of COVID-19?
The global effects of the pandemic showcased how online education is not just a temporary fix, but it is a strategic necessity in this digitally evolved world for sustainable future education. It has been confirmed through a large number of students that online systems helped them pursue their education while the educational institutes closed their doors. Modern e-learning systems helped to facilitate,
- Uninterrupted and consistent educational process.
- Widened access to educational opportunities.
- Improvement of self-learning capabilities and skills based on technology.
- Boosted international collaboration among the universities.
Extensive studies show that online education has become an integral element of the future global education. It is not just contingency preparation for a crisis but a new system that can be integrated into daily lifestyle.
Online Education: A Human Right Unbounded by Geography
In this era of constant digital advancement and artificial intelligence (AI), education has become more accessible for everyone, regardless of geographical location. Education is a fundamental human right and everyone deserves it. While every individual student deserves to get a high-quality education adhering to global academic standards, many do not have access to it due to location and monetary issues. Online education does compromise the quality, but makes it accessible to all kinds of students regardless of their personal situation and location.
The international success stories of online education belong to countries like the USA, the UK, Canada, Finland, Germany, the Comoros, the UAE, and many others. The world is currently moving towards a ‘Flexible Education’ model, and online education can be the right medium for it. The governments and universities should work together with a strategic approach for full recognition of the new digital education system.
