A unique facet of a well-designed online learning environment is the ability to collect hard data, on student engagement levels and learning outcomes, in real time. The utilization of data to continuously adjust the content and approach reinforces the principle of putting the student back at the center.
As for the choice of technology, when being learner centric, communication and engagement tools become key requirements. Amidst the rapid transition, most institutions reacted by moving typical classroom dynamics into an online environment through video conferencing tools—what we call synchronous learning. While this approach safeguarded uninterrupted delivery of the planned curricula, we did not sufficiently question the pedagogy. As Kumtepe mentioned, we do not need to have synchronous learning to call it distance learning. For more of a mixed approach, we need to develop courses that are originally built for the purpose of online delivery and we need to invest heavily in educators through training and support in digital literacy, awareness of edtech tools and pedagogy. Omitting this step is potentially one of the most dangerous drivers of the backlash against online learning.
- Beware of the divides, digital and beyond.
The digital divide is on everyone’s mind. As Yacoub stated, today, universal basic Internet access has become a basic human right. Indeed, open online education could translate into more opportunities for those excluded by the current system. Theoretically, moving education online can improve gender equity in education and can provide opportunities for people with disabilities. On the other hand, the digital divide is real and it largely threatens access. Dahlia Maarouf, a leadership development specialist at the Education Above All Foundation who works closely with youth in conflict and post-conflict environments, put the responsibility on each institution and program to take full stock of the connectivity, infrastructure and studying space realities of each student. (See a related article, “Coronavirus School Closings Around the World Will Hit Girls the Hardest.”)
However, the divide is not only digital. Mental health challenges, difficult household situations and learning styles may create further divides and lead to retention issues. That means that the intensity of student support both within and outside the online classroom should probably be even higher than it would be on a physical campus. Dahlia shared a recent example where she learned of students forming their own communities for studying and for resolving each other’s challenges. Her view is that such communities should be part and parcel of the program design and that training students on adaptability, emotional and social intelligence and critical thinking will be crucial for dealing with this new way of learning. In a way, making 21st century skills more important than ever.
- Do not reinvent the wheel. Leverage resources and collaborate.
Frankly, I do not think we have seen enough collaboration or leveraging of resources and capabilities during this transition, especially as it relates to inter-university collaborations or mutually beneficial partnerships between universities and the few regional edtech and online content providers. Yacoub mentioned a great example of multi-stakeholder collaboration in Jordan led by the Ministry of Education. Edraak, two other content providers (Jo Academy and Abwaab), and the online publisher Mawdoo3 came together to create a platform to serve the country’s two million school-age children whose education has been interrupted. Like everyone else on the panel, she urged listeners not to reinvent the wheel. While building capacities in teaching and learning online takes a village, opportunities for leveraging content, technologies and resources in the online learning space are vast.
We ended our discussion with a succinct response from everyone to the million-dollar question, Is teaching and learning online the new normal? Is this modality here to stay?. Everyone agreed that while online learning will likely be part and parcel of the future of education, it works for some but not others. It will co-exist with the current system. For educators, however, Kumtepe affirmed that “nobody will be able to survive if they are not able to teach an online class in 10 years.”
I personally see the online and offline world as quite intertwined in the future. Today is not only an opportunity to show that we can provide an uninterrupted learning experience that is on par with what we were offering before. It is also an opportunity to rethink the future of education, regardless of the modality in which it is delivered. A chance to challenge the pedagogy in a way that puts the student back at the center. An opportunity to challenge assumptions around the true value of contact hours and the expectation that quality education can only come at an exorbitant cost. And finally, given the shifting economic and labor market outlooks, this is a challenge for us to redefine the essential competencies and skills to teach and the most meaningful learning experiences to create.
May Wazzan is an independent consultant based in Beirut. She focuses on developing and delivering programs in higher education and skills development. Her experience spans philanthropy, management consulting and international development, where she supported organizations on large-scale education efforts, including in online and blended learning.
Very insightful article May. Your descriptions and conclusions are surprisingly applicable to K-12 education in Australia. Three of our schools offer both on campus and online education. After the COVID-19 experience, our on campus teachers have a new level of respect for their online colleagues. Further, it has made both groups of teachers more determined to collaboration and leverage resources for the benefit of all students.
Is there a recording of this panel and other conference sessions? Many thanks!
Emerging remote learning is closely related to emegency teaching.The transition to online learning learning and teaching is more challenging..