Traditional Classroom to Digital Spaces

The biggest part of these activities is performed by the online meeting apps, such as Zoom, Google meet, and Skype. Along with studies, offices also started preferring online systems of work. Where the first half of the population considers online classes a boon at this point the second half is against the idea of continuing digital teaching.

Ideologies of the people in favor of online classrooms-

• Students are able to attend classes from all over the world, which benefits the exchange students the most. Due to problems arising because of the virus, many families have shifted to their hometowns. This would have been an issue for the students if traditional classes would have been going on. But with the online classes students are able to attend classes from any place they desire.
• Teachers get the privilege of teaching from anywhere around the world. Same as the students, many teachers also have shifted to different places for the lockdown but because of online classes are still able to attend to the students need.
• During traditional schooling, many students complained of not getting enough self-studying time. This is not an issue with online classes since the class timings are reduced to suit the students' need for self-studying.
• This also has increased the attendance among students. The students who have not been regular during traditional school classes now have no excuse to be absent during online lectures.
• The cost of transportation and extracurricular activities also has decreased which in return saves money and makes education affordable.

Ideologies of people against digital classrooms-

• Due to not being in a productive environment like traditional classrooms, students face difficulties remaining focused and productive during online classes.
• Nothing more than books, notebooks, and uniforms was needed earlier but now due to technology being involved; a phone or laptop and an internet connection have become a necessity too.
• A laptop/phone and the internet are not something every family can afford. There have been a number of suicides among children of backward classes who cannot afford the technology. Even though the government has taken action towards helping the backward classes it’s not fast enough to satisfy the public whose time is running out.
• After the internet is a necessity students living in remote areas face a lot of difficulty in connecting to the classes and often are left out, missing important lessons.
• Behind the black screens, the professors are unable to judge a student’s performance or contribution. In traditional classrooms, teachers were able to make out if students were paying attention or not but with online classes it has become nearly impossible.
• Teachers are not that tech-savvy and faced a lot of issues at the beginning of the classes and some of them fall prey to technological issues.

All of the above-presented arguments showcase two different aspects of the same issue. Its advantages and disadvantages depend on person to person, their financial state, mental condition, etc.

By: Kanak Kotnala

Gaurs International School