The study of Khalil and others (2020) presents three main categories of challenges students encounter during synchronous online education: methodological, technical, and behavioral difficulties. Methodological issues with the online learning process include the low-quality assurance of teaching, the inadequate digital skills of lecturers, and the problematic educational process’s structure. According to the research, students have problems with engagement in the learning process and comprehension of the material since online learning often prevents active participation and leads to miscommunication with lecturers (Khalil, 2020). Additionally, many teachers lack the necessary skills to use digital educational tools efficiently (Khalil, 2020). Moreover, the academic structure applies significant time pressure on students, while lectures have an irregular schedule (Khalil, 2020). Technical issues negatively impact the educational process as well. Students report connection breaks and malfunctioning displays of learning materials, which affects the perception of studies (Khalil, 2020). Finally, behavioral challenges also have an impact on the educational process. Some students find it hard to establish a learning environment at home and experience difficulties studying in the absence of eye contact and other physical interactions with lecturers.
Therefore, to optimize the learning process in online education, the institutions should focus on adopting the current educational structure to the online format. Firstly, both teachers and students have to complete training on digital learning to maximize the effectiveness of remote studies. Next, it is essential to reconsider conventional education standards, for instance, the duration and frequency of lectures. Since many students experience difficulties maintaining attention during online classes, it can be helpful to decrease their time (Paudel, 2021). Another proposition is to invest in the creation and development of an effective educational online platform and ensure the provision of fast and high-quality technical support. As a result, it can significantly decrease the discomfort and enhance the experience during online classes.
The online learning process has many issues that need to be considered to ensure the quality of education. The conventional education system must be upgraded since the remote format implies challenges different from offline learning, including methodological, technical, and behavioral issues. If the learning design is adapted to the new environment, online learning can become an effective alternative to the traditional way of studying.
References
Paudel, P. (2021). Online education: Benefits, challenges and strategies during and after COVID-19 in higher education. International Journal on Studies in Education, 3(2), 70-85.
Khalil, R., Mansour, A. E., Fadda, W. A., Almisnid, K., Aldamegh, M., Al-Nafeesah, A., Alkhalifah, A. & Al-Wutayd, O. (2020). The sudden transition to synchronized online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia: a qualitative study exploring medical students’ perspectives. BMC Medical Education, 20(1), 1–10. Web.