Being forced into online learning, students and lecturers are made to adapt to this new change, however, could this forced solution be the future of education?
By Kong Kei Xuen
Since the pandemic hit Malaysia last year in March, students, teachers, and lecturers were forced to move physical classes online without warning. They are then left with no choice but to adapt to this forced solution, but have they?
The education system for the past century has always been face-to-face learning and nothing has changed. Until now.
Pictures comparing the school system from 150 years ago and now from American YouTuber, Prince Ea’s video “I SUED THE SCHOOL SYSTEM”
“In the beginning it was really tough because we generally only know one way of learning which is face-to-face and that’s all we know our entire lives” said Low Shing Ni, a 22-year-old Media, Culture and Communication student in IACT, “and the fact that just suddenly having to transition to online means that we have to try things that we have never tried before and that was really difficult”.
However, Low added that over time it became easier. “You just get used to it so you just kind of adapt to it,” said Low.
Liew mentions that the chatbox function in online learning platforms are quite useful as students tend to be shy asking questions in physical class.
All new things are a little difficult and unclear as everyone is unsure of what is in store for them. However, the human species are made to adapt towards any unfamiliar situations.
Liew Hui Yin, a 22-year-old recent graduate of Commerce in TARUC recaps her experience of learning online as she explained that the initial transition was new and uncomfortable for her, however she had no choice but to start slowly adapting to online learning.
“I am grateful that, in difficult times like this, I have the gadgets for online learning and there are still classes on during the lockdown”, said Liew.
Liew looking at a Minion graffiti on the wall
Even in the face of the unknown such as online learning, it is not all bad and there may just be some unexpected benefits.
Low mentioned that one of the biggest benefits to online learning was its convenience and it saved her a lot of time as taking public transport takes a long time. “I became less stressed about my assignments because I had more time in my hands”, said Low.
Liew also commented that before, she would use public transport to get to school where sometimes the LRT would have a problem, making her late and miss some of the lectures.
Zachary Roland A/L A.F. Anthony, a lecturer in UTAR mentioned that online teaching cut down on the stress of travel to the university and back. He also shared that there is less time wastage moving from classroom to classroom.
Zachary says that he has not seen students’ faces since online learning and it’s not the same experience as physical classes but he believes that if lecturers practice with more effort and with the help of technology, they can go far.
Paired with online learning is the internet, and the internet and technology are a wonderful thing - it brings endless possibilities. Dr Sharon Jacqueline A/P Albert Wilson, a 46-year-old lecturer in UTAR said that online platforms are good because it connects everyone, it makes it a truly borderless world.
“There are many things I can do online which I cannot do physically. I had one war journalist come in to talk to the students from Azerbaijan. It would never happen physically - it is impossible for financial reasons, for time constraints, it would never happen”, Dr Sharon commented.
Dr Sharon believes that in online classes, there are many reasons why students switch off their cameras and it’s interesting to see why, and that sometimes it may be due to the student's situation at home.
However, online learning is not all smooth sailing. Crystal Soh, a 22-year-old student of Media and Creative Studies from UTAR described that online learning makes it harder to concentrate as there are many distractions. “Sometimes when I am attending online classes, my parents will ask me to do something”, said Soh.
Soh also explains that her final exam was changed to final assessment which is like doing an assignment within a limited time.
Soh adds that group assignments during online classes were a little difficult for her as she has never met her classmates and is embarrassed to join them
Choi Pui Yi, a 22-year-old Physiotherapy student in MAHSA said that her practical exams are troublesome as she has to look for a model available and prepare materials and equipment for the exam.
“It requires me to set up all the things before the exam”, Choi commented.
Choi mentions that lecturers may feel less motivated to teach during online classes when students turn off their cameras
The exams now are no easy feat for students, but marking is also not easy for lecturers either - and it is the same for assignments and exercises as well.
Zachary shared that marking online or sending feedback through email becomes more daunting as it takes more time with the back and forth response.
In the end, some students and lecturers ended up having different opinions towards online learning.
Low said she prefers online learning for its convenience and she feels the environment does not really affect productivity because she knows how to set work time and free time apart. “Having online classes requires a lot more self-control, actually forcing yourself to concentrate on what the lecturer is talking about”, she added.
Liew, however, said that hybrid learning where there is a choice would be nice based on students’ travelling capabilities and other factors.
Dr Sharon agrees.
“I think it will be interesting to have a half-and-half”, she said, “I just love teaching, I don’t care if it’s physically or online, I just love teaching”.
There are also those who wish for physical classes once more. “I would love to go back to the university at some point of time in the future and make the university my stage to perform”, said Zachary. Even so, he readily accepts online learning with an open mind and open arms.
“There’s no real one format. We just have to adapt as we go. As lecturers, we have to be creative and try new things. New things give us new results and so I always believe in that”, added Zachary.
Even though it isn't the perfect solution but I think that online learning keeps us going and definitely makes us appreciate physical interaction with friends and our loved ones.
Online learning reduce my learning motivation because my bed is too comfortable🤣
Over time, we can overcome anything!
It's great that now we have various options of learning method. Both physical learning and online learning are going to make a great improvement to our education.
Pretty sure that the students need some time to adapt with online learning, but at least students still get the opportunity to continue learning📚