What is the Future of Virtual Learning - Learning for Everyone

Over the past decade, people's turn towards virtual and hybrid learning, which combines attributes of distance online learning and traditional classroom methods, has contributed significantly to the popularity of online learning. The greater flexibility in learning schedules and easy access to education has attracted students towards online learning modules as it allows them to combine their studies with work responsibilities or personal commitments. With students actively opting for virtual education, it would not be wrong to consider how virtual learning will affect the future of the education sector and what the future of virtual learning is.

With COVID-19 leading higher education to the grounds of uncertainty, experts and post-secondary institution leaders felt the need for a mode of education capable of coping with such uncertainties. Virtual learning thus becomes a way to facilitate uninterrupted learning even if there is another pandemic, and experts believe that online learning is the future of education.

As technology is more widely available and continuously developing, students are increasingly gaining access to education that can improve their career prospects by leaps and bounds. For students from developing nations, virtual learning offers an unprecedented opportunity to access the education available in developed and well-read nations. Virtual education thus becomes a driving force behind innovation in the education sector across the globe. Let us dive deep into the future of virtual learning and its possible challenges.

The Futuristic Way of Virtual Learning

The traditional way of classroom learning has always defined education, but with the advent of virtual or hybrid learning, the idea of learning has undergone significant changes. Thus, it challenges old notions and welcomes new digital ways of learning. Let us have a look at the futuristic way of online learning -

1. Adaptive Learning

Virtual learning, increasingly, will transform into an adaptive way of learning, a learning style where the learning style and resources are personalized according to the needs of learners, and assignments and syllabi are made available per the learner's interests. As online learning continues to grow, this new concept will help students to grow in their field of interest.

2. Artificial Intelligence

In the age of AI (Artificial Intelligence), it can't be justified that the education sector can stay unaffected by it. Instead, Artificial intelligence can present solutions for translation, speech recognition, decision-making, and more, making education easier and transforming it. It can make courses efficient by recognizing learners' expected level and delivering content according to their previous knowledge, skills, pace, and learning style.

3. Micro-Learning

Virtual learning facilitates easy learning by splitting learning resources into manageable pieces. This way of learning is known as microlearning, where students collaborate and complete learning by dividing the syllabus into small portions.

Challenges in The Way of Online Learning

Despite the numerous benefits and ability to facilitate a better learning process than traditional learning, online learning faces challenges. Here are a few discussed below -

1. Technical Issues

Foremost, students face technical issues on virtual learning platforms. These issues can arise due to variables like unstable internet connection, variations in streaming quality, server errors or more, which lead to interruptions between students and teachers.

2. Time Management and Self-Organization Difficulties

Secondly, students might face difficulty managing their time properly in virtual learning. Virtual learning allows students to manage their learning according to their schedule, which also requires good time management. If students cannot manage their time properly, it might affect their studies.

3. Limited Access to Necessary Devices and Technologies

Virtual learning requires digital devices like computers and mobile phones with good internet connectivity, which might not be available to all students across the globe, disrupting their learning process.

4. Security Risks

Access to digital platforms also poses the threat of cyberbullying and electronic fraud for students.

Conclusion

In conclusion, virtual or hybrid learning has revolutionized education and will continue to do so. With the advancement of technology, learning has become more personalized and adaptive, challenging and replacing the traditional classroom teaching methods. Although virtual learning provides a better learning experience, it faces some challenges, too. Thus, as we have discussed above, virtual learning and the private virtual schools in Ontario offer various opportunities for learners across the globe to grow and continuously make careers in their interests.