Let’s start from the very beginning; online learning is where students are educated via the internet and through teaching applications, such as Kinteract. It’s usually the term used for any kind of learning that takes place outside of a ‘traditional’ classroom, in an online forum. It allows students from all different walks of life to gain an education, whether they’re at primary level or looking to gain their Master’s degree.
Although online learning is predominantly used in the same respect as distance learning, in some circumstances, it’s not always distance that is the issue – it may be that there has been a crisis which requires students to stay at home, such as a pandemic, family issues, or illness.
Distance learning is nothing new, but online learning and teaching for many schools and educational institutions, who normally rely on traditional classroom teaching, isn’t something that comes naturally – and we can often be thrown into a situation that requires it. This is why it’s essential to have a process in place, and the right technology, to ensure that online teaching can be effective and easy to implement when this blended learning approach is needed.
Teaching online reaps numerous benefits. Not only does learning become more accessible, but with Kinteract, you can keep a live record of achievements, observations and progress, all neatly tracked against the curriculum, so that a student’s learning journey can stay with them forever.
You’ve also got a lot more flexibility with online teaching than traditional, in-classroom teaching. There, students have set times for lessons and subjects - with online teaching, students can be given a timeframe to complete work, instead of within a set time period on one day. This gives students the ability to take ownership for their learning, reflect more on their work and make alterations and improvements, before they submit it - useful life skills to develop early on.
Building an online learning journal from nursery age provides students and parents with a full history of their achievements and development. It’s also essential for parental engagement and provides a safe space for teachers and parents to communicate. From sharing pictures to videos, it helps parents understand exactly what their child is achieving on a day-to-day basis, share in those special moments, as well as providing them with peace of mind.
For teachers and nursery workers, time can be better spent with the children and observations can be recorded easily through online software.
For primary school, students begin to take the initiative and learn on their own – with online teaching software, you can easily track these achievements and make observations. It also allows introverted and shy students to make comments and join in discussions – that perhaps they wouldn’t have done in a traditional classroom setting.
Parents can also engage more with their children’s work and achievements, taking note of teacher observations and suggestions for improvement. At primary age, teachers will spend a lot of time with students, picking up on their nuances and learning what pushes them and what makes them hesitate. Online teaching software can be used to record these achievements and obstacles, helping students and parents reflect.
Flexibility in learning becomes more important as students get older. With more distractions, as a teacher, you might notice concentration levels slide when students reach secondary or high school level. Technology can aid engagement, as well as knowledge retention. If students are able to track their achievements and areas for improvement through online software, this will encourage independent learning, as well as develop different styles of learning too.
Group work becomes ever more essential as students progress through their school career – technology, such as online teaching software, can aid collaboration and group projects, helping students communicate effectively, as well as allowing teachers to comment and advise where they see fit. It’s not just feedback from teachers that students will benefit from either; technology allows students to engage in peer interaction and discuss outcomes and results with each other, seeing where they could improve next time. This is great for developing essential life skills for the future.
For international schools and institutions, online learning software is essential. It allows students from all over the world to continue to study effectively, without missing out. It also means communication with parents is easier than ever before, especially if the software you’re using has translation capabilities. This gives parents the opportunity to communicate in their own language, without fear of misinterpreting or misunderstanding observations from teachers and educators.
Flexible learning is essential for many students who choose to go on to further education. Whether a student becomes ill, has childcare commitments, or simply isn’t able to attend a class, having a robust online software implementation allows those students to continue their studies, without fear of missing out – on either their education or peer interaction.
For students with a long-term illness, disability, or mental health problems, having the flexibility and opportunity to communicate effectively, with educators and peers, means they can continue to collaborate and learn.
Universities have been utilising online learning software for years, but many institutions don’t have the best technology in place, leaving many students without the means to complete lectures and seminars in situations when they cannot physically attend.
Feedback from lecturers and professors can be challenging to track as well, especially if still handwritten. It also welcomes more conversation between student and educator, ensuring that all feedback is understood, helping the student improve further for the next assignment.
