Adjusting to the “New Normal”: Coping with Online Learning in the Post-pandemic Era

Chan Man Man Connie, Year 4 Student from Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Language Studies and Bachelor of Education (Honours) (English Language) in 2021/22

As we are exposed to more distractions and temptations in an online learning environment, the main challenge of online learning is a loss of concentration which stems from a lack of self-discipline. It is extremely difficult to follow a lecture when you are listening to the lecture and scrolling through Instagram simultaneously, so we should employ strategies to eliminate distractions, such as turning off notifications and logging out of social media accounts to prevent us from multitasking and maintain focus.  Creating a dedicated regular study space at home is also helpful because it gets us into the zone. You might notice that many lecturers also conduct online classes in a regular workspace, such as their offices. Sometimes, the flexibility offered by asynchronous learning becomes an excuse for us to concentrate less in class, but the reality is that most students rarely rewatch the recorded lectures, me included, so we should also establish schedules and routines to stay focused and organised.

Doing discussions in online classes is another difficulty we face. Many students are very passive during discussions and they wait for others to break the ice. In such situations, I usually will start the discussion by, for example, reiterating the direction of the discussion. Even though speaking up in front of unfamiliar faces can be embarrassing, it is a direct way to enhance learning during online classes. Besides, there is a first time for everything. Once you have initiated a conversation, it is much easier to continue with it. If you think of it as a practice to open a discussion with your students, you will feel more motivated to do so.

Adaptability is crucial in navigating online learning during the pandemic because it determines whether we survive or thrive while we are acclimating to the new normal. Adopting a growth mindset will help us develop resilience and maximise learning opportunities. Since the pandemic has accelerated the trend of online learning and online education is here to stay, experiencing online learning as students is an effective source of inspiration for online teaching. During my Block Practice, I tried out several e-learning tools that my lecturers introduced. Mastering these tools allowed me to engage students and made me stand out from the rest of the teachers. If you are burdened with online assessments and additional requirements in teaching practice, you can rewire your mindset and treat the experience as a stepping stone to success in the post-pandemic era.

Conducting online teaching with a group of P3 students during Block Practice

Exploring an e-learning tool during an online class