ONLINE LEARNING IN EDUCATION SECTOR REVEALING THE BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES
COVID-19 pandemic has led to secure disruptions in normal life, including closure of schools. It has impacted over 240 million children of the country who are enrolled in schools. Extended school closures may cause loss of learning. Online courses have the potential to open the pathways for more opportunities for students in “small, rural, or low socioeconomic school districts”. Online courses offer an excellent way for students to expand their educational opportunities and keep on competitive in the ever challenging realm of education. Students embarking on the path of higher education through online coursework need to be self-motivated, independent, and responsible learners. Understanding one’s learning style and skills will allow students to more accurately determine if online learning is suitable for them. Instructors and course designers will also benefit from understanding the aspects of a course that increase students’ understanding and participation. Communication in terms of supportive comments, constructive criticism, and prompt feedback from instructors to students is a key component of online courses. There are a number of drawbacks and potential issues that students may face while participating in an online course.