Learning and Teaching in an Online Mode: Challenges and Gains
- 2021
- Alumni/Student Sharing
- Faculty of Humanities
Anna Xia Yang, Year 4 Student of BEd(EL) (2020/21)
2020 is bound to be an unusual year. As online mode of learning and teaching is adopted for the whole Semester I, we all need to adapt to this new learning and teaching style. This brings both challenges and gains to us. In this article, I would like to share my online learning experience.
Challenge 1: Staying Focused
Staying focused is one of the biggest challenges I face when studying in an online mode at home. Being in probably the most comfortable place for me, I find it hard to keep attentive during online class, especially without my peers and teachers being around. Thus, I always try to turn on my camera to encourage myself to be engaged in online class. In addition, I also take notes during online class, and it also helps me stay focused.
Challenge 2: Silent Discussion Groups
Carrying out an effective group discussion is another big challenge for me when studying in an online mode. I often find myself entering a silent breakout room during group discussion. However, once this silence is broken by someone in the group, other people will get active as well and start to talk. Thus, it is encouraged for everyone to be the first one to speak as a way to break the silence and encourage more people to speak during online group discussion.
Gain 1: Information Technology (IT) Skills
Though I have met some challenges, I also gained a lot from this special experience. My IT skills have been greatly improved by learning about how to make use of different software such as Wondershare, iMovie and Photos to help me to give presentation in an online mode. I believe these IT skills will not only help me with my presentations but also my future career, as IT skills are becoming more important in education.
Gain 2: Resilience
Resilience, the ability to bounce back from adversity, is another skill that I have developed and practised a lot during this special time. Being supported by my family, peers and teachers, I always hold a positive attitude towards the challenges I encounter. No man is an island, and we are always encouraged to seek for help from people around us as a way to build up our strength to overcome any difficulty.
Using different devices to facilitate online studying.
Having group discussion with my classmates in an online mode.
