Technology opens new horizons for homeschooling, but adapting to this can be a challenge. What are the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning technology?

Education is one of the sectors most affected by the lockdown due to COVID-19, as social distancing measures mean schools could remain closed for the foreseeable future.

However, thanks to technology, teachers can still continue teaching and students are not left behind. And while this is good news, many educators face new challenges due to this shift to remote learning, and for some, it takes time to get used to.

Collaborative learning environment regardless of location

Without effective collaboration between students and teachers, students often lose motivation due to a perceived lack of community and sense of shared learning. That's why it's critical to use various forms of online interaction, from text messaging and video conferencing to interactive collaborative projects and the latest online platforms, to support students and keep them engaged.

Prioritizing Active Participation

Distance learning provides students with flexibility that they will not find in the traditional classroom environment. Instead of having all students participate simultaneously, teachers can schedule group or individual lessons separately, provide personalized content, and always stay in touch.

Jerry Blumengarten, a connected educator with more than 30 years of experience, suggests: “For distance learning to work, you must prepare tutorials on the use of the technological tools you will use for your instructors and students. This should be done simply, step by step, to avoid any confusion and errors. Provide a contact number where you can be reached to answer any questions and offer additional help to your students.”

Engaging Students in New Ways

Distance online learning allows you to move from static learning materials to more dynamic interactive multimedia content. Another benefit of technology in learning is that students often learn faster when they not only listen to the teacher and read textbooks, but also participate in engaging academic activities. That's why it's a great idea to encourage learning through short quizzes, exercises with gamification elements, interactive apps, and more.

Plagiarism detection

Technology is your ally when it comes to academic integrity and is the best way to effectively check papers for plagiarism. Text similarity detection tools like Unicheck thoroughly scan student texts for plagiarism and help teachers see where students have relied too heavily on other sources. There are dozens of reasons why students cheat, but it is the teacher's responsibility to teach them to realize that this will not help them, either in school or in life.

Automation of evaluations and qualifications

You can use various interactive tests and multiple-choice quizzes to quickly and easily check students' knowledge. Use online grading tools to organize your gradebook, view each student's overall grades, and allow them to track their success.

Changing roles between students and teachers

With information readily available on the internet, the teacher's role as subject matter expert becomes less critical. What really matters in modern education is the ability to guide students through these volumes of information.

At the same time, finding the most effective ways to learn from different sources together with students makes teachers co-learners rather than the sole source of knowledge. And this is precisely the behavior that can inspire students and encourage them to study beyond the curriculum. It may seem like teachers are losing control, but in fact, these new approaches build real trust and respect within the classroom.

Adopting progressive education technologies

Information technology in education provides a wide variety of new methods for teachers. Mobile educational applications, collaboration platforms, learning analytics and many other innovative tools and approaches make the learning process much more engaging for both the student and the teacher.

Access to the latest information

Academic textbooks and other printed materials take a long time to update, so they often contain outdated knowledge, especially when it comes to modern science or contemporary history. However, online information is dynamic and always updated. On the Internet, new information spreads instantly and can be immediately integrated into the learning process, making it one of the most powerful benefits of technology in learning.