A renowned academic goes against the tide as he talks about the problems of long-distance education
In a world where more and more students are choosing online courses over conventional colleges, K J S Anand, the executive director of the Institute of Management Studies, Noida and an IIM-Ahmedabad fellow explained the different aspects of the concept. With the growing popularity of online courses where one could sit at home and attend classes, the education sector is changing. But efficiency is always a worry. K J S Anand says, “There are reasons to believe that online courses are not nearly as beneficial to us as traditional classroom learning. It’s useful in some situations, but a distraction in others.”
The biggest drawback is the lack of face-to-face interaction with classmates and teachers. He adds, “When in a classroom, students may be required to speak their mind and give presentations or speeches. They will have to work in groups with people having differing viewpoints. Online courses require none of that. Businesses often tell university faculty that they wish graduating students had more interpersonal skills.”
He feels that the already-established universities should include e-learning along with their regular curriculum. “There is a need to acknowledge that active learning within a technology-based environment necessitates the establishment of a theoretical framework as part of the learning process,” he explains. “I think that online institutions need to realise that the online environment is not just an adaptation of face-to-face teaching. I believe that most institutions today do not concentrate enough on the psychology and pedagogy of a digital setup, giving technology too much power,” he concludes.
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