On-Line Learning: An Innovation to Education Essay

In learning inside the classroom, there are many factors that are being taken into consideration so that the students will learn better. One of these considerations is the environment. It must be conducive for learning so that the students can concentrate and appreciate the lessons better. If they properly absorb what is being taught then they can apply these knowledge in their everyday life. However, if the environment is not conducive for learning, the tendency of students is to focus their mind on something else and not the lesson thus, their ability to grasp things correctly is affected. Learning is dependent on several factors such as motivation, perception and engagement of the learner. These factors in turn, are affected by the experiences of the learner, his learning style and the environment wherein learning is taking place (Hutchinson n. pag. ). Traditionally, learning takes place in the classroom with the teacher in front of the class. The classrooms are designed in such a way that the students will receive the least distraction from the discussion. The classroom setting is what most believes as the most conducive place for learning since the students are not distracted but outside sources. However, this belief has dramatically changed. Research and further studies indicate that classroom learning also has its negative consequences. These negative effects can be attributed to the way the teacher motivates the students to learn. The kind of motivation that the teacher employs is crucial in the absorption of the student of the lessons. However, learning does not only depend on the teacher as there are other factors which may affect the attention of the students to learning such as physical distractions and discomfort, physiological factors, safety and sense of belongingness. If these factors are not addressed to, most likely, the student will have difficulty absorbing the lessons (Hutchinson n. pag. ). A positive environment will make it easy for the student to learn and appreciate the lessons. If the teachers make the students feel that they are a part of something and their presence is important then they will be more encouraged to participate in the discussion. In addition, if the students feel safe then they can focus more on what the teacher is discussing. Another factor which can contribute to better learning is a positive environment wherein the students are encouraged to study and the people mentoring them provide the support that they need. With the developments that have been introduced, the learning environment now is not only limited to the school. The learning environment can be located anywhere, anyplace and at anytime. In every activity, there is always something that the individual learns. In addition, teachers now have transformed the traditional classroom approach to a multidisciplinary and problem based approach, incorporating technology in learning. The multidisciplinary approach allows students to have access to the lessons and through the internet. The new approach made classroom dynamics and rapidity in the change of curriculum obsolete. The tenets of learning now are more focused on problem solving, analyzing relationships and performing activities inside and outside of the classroom (Anstrand and Kirkbride n. pag. ). The multidisciplinary approach has prompted educational institutions to create virtual classrooms or a private online classroom that allows the teachers to interact with their students and assist them in their learning. It can be accessed at any time of the day and any day of the week. Just like an ordinary classroom setting, there are also many activities that take place in a virtual classroom. Among the features that a virtual classroom contains are class activities and class organizations. Class activities include individual and group learning activities, discussions or forums with students and teachers, home works, quizzes, modules and scavenger hunts. Class organizations on the other hand include timetables and the class calendar, overviews, information or announcements and the grade book of the students (the Learning place n. pag). A virtual classroom is a great aid for classroom learning because it tends to supplement what is being learned in the school. It also gives an avenue for the student to have continuous access to the lessons. They need not wait for the class hours before they can ask their teachers questions regarding the lessons. Another innovation to the traditional classroom setting is distance education. According to Schlosser and Simonson (3-4), distance education is a method of education wherein the learner is physically does not need to go to the classroom. He learns on his own using the modules that the teacher provides online. The student will be assessed and taught through the aid of the internet. The student and the teacher do not physically interact with each other. This process has not only made learning convenient but it also allows the students to apply what they are learning in real life settings. This also makes learning flexible because the students are not focused at a specific time for study. They can comply with the requirements of their subject at a time when they feel inspired to learn. They are not forced to do things and learning can yield to better results if the students get to enjoy what they are assigned to finish. This process also allows students who are located in distant places to gain access to the lessons of the teacher or professor without going to school. It saves time and energy both for the teacher and the students. However, this type of learning should not be employed to all students. Virtual classrooms and distance learning are ideally for those who are already in the higher levels of learning and not those who are still starting or are in their kinder school. These children need to be conditioned first and disciplined to perform school tasks. On-line learning is suited for students who possess the necessary study skills and self discipline, have access to internet and comfortable with computers (Kearsley n. pag. ). The effectivity of online learning will depend on the appreciation of the student of the system, the way the teacher prepares the lessons online as well as the learning environment of the student. Just like in the classroom setting, online learning is useless if the student is not able to appreciate it and apply his lessons in real world setting. The reason why these innovations to learning were created is to give the students more avenues to relate their lessons with their experiences. The student must remember that in any type of learning, participation is indispensable. Learning is a two-way process, not one way. There should be interaction between the parties in order to consider it effective. Learning can happen anywhere and at anytime, there need not be a specific place where the student should learn. What is important is the student can apply his experiences, things he has read and learned from educators and more mature individuals to improve the way he deals with life and the things around him. References Anstrand, D. and Kirkbride, E. (2002). â€Å"The Education Environment Program†. Design Share. Retrieved 31 August 2008 from Hutchinson, L. (n. d. ) â€Å"ABC of Learning and teaching Educational Environment†. BMJ. Retrieved 31 August 2008 from http://www. bmj. com/cgi/content/full/326/7393/810 Kearsley, G. (n. d. ). â€Å"Is online Learning for Everybody? † Retrieved 31 August 2008 from Schlosser, L. and Simonson, M. (2006). Distance Education. Charlotte, North Carolina: IAP â€Å"Virtual Classroom†. (n. d. ). The Learning Place. Retrieved 31 August 2008 from