While remote learning wasn’t an option for the vast majority of students only decades ago, today, it’s quickly becoming the status quo for masses of modern-day students. Though this innovation in learning has definitely come with its fair share of advantages, such as making learning more convenient and accessible, it’s also come with some challenges.
Many students from middle schools to universities are currently finding themselves struggling with the process of remote learning and the tools it requires students to use. Those interested in understanding more about the ways that education is evolving can benefit from exploring this fascinating topic.
Here’s why some people may struggle with remote learning and how they can improve.
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Key Challenges Associated with Remote Learning
As has been noted, there are plenty of benefits that have come as a result of the normalization of remote learning. Sadly, this evolution in education has also come with a variety of significant challenges that are making it harder for students to learn.
Here are key challenges associated with remote learning.
Lack of Structure
While some students may thrive in situations where they have more autonomy, a substantial amount of students feel the opposite. Specifically, the lack of a formalized structure can make it more difficult for students to stay on top of their lessons.
For these students, in-person classes are more fitting and conducive for receiving, comprehending, and retaining information. As such, remote learning is making it difficult for many students to find their footing without the traditional structure of in-person classes.
Technological Issues
In virtually all modern cases, remote learning is conducted through the use of digital technology such as computers, tablets, or smartphones. While the utilization of these digital tools would seem like they make learning more accessible on the surface, the truth is that many things can go wrong.
This is true for both educators and students, with each individual using their own device. On top of this, there are sometimes issues with institutions’ elearning platforms that can be distracting and can detract from lessons. Ultimately, remote learning won’t reach its true potential until this issue is fixed for both students and educators.
More Distractions
Outside of the education sphere, there’s currently a huge issue with children and teens being addicted to digital technology. Specifically, these individuals are becoming addicted to distractions such as easily accessible videos and social media feeds.
Sadly, remote learning isn’t conducive for many students because it allows them to easily become distracted and start consuming irrelevant content. This being the case, educators sometimes have a difficult time ensuring that students focus when conducting lessons remotely.
Ways Students Can Overcome Remote Learning Challenges
Though there are many educational obstacles emerging as a result of remote learning becoming more common, this doesn’t mean that all students are doomed to fail their classes. In fact, there are key practices, techniques, and strategies that students can take advantage of to overcome these challenges. Any student engaging in remote learning can benefit from an understanding of these approaches.
Here are ways students can overcome remote learning challenges.
Setting Personal Education Schedules and Goals
As has been noted, many students have difficulty coping with the lack of structure found in remote classes. As a result, students often fall behind and lose motivation to excel in academic pursuits. This means that whether a student is preparing for nursing school or trying to graduate high school, remote learning can act as a barrier.
Fortunately, there is a key antidote to this problem that any student can use to get ahead and stay motivated in remote learning classes. Namely, setting personal education schedules and goals. Whether it’s having an assignment done by a certain time of day or studying a lesson thoroughly before a test, these self-appointed restraints can transform remote learning from a difficult task into a manageable feat.
Identifying and Eliminating Distractions
One of the most difficult remote learning challenges for modern day students to overcome is the constant call of distractions. Because of many students’ inclination to explore the web rather than study or pay attention in class, remote learning resources become less effective means of educating people.
Thankfully, identifying and eliminating key distractions will help students stay strong and focused while engaging in remote learning activities. Each student will have unique distractions that will make it difficult for them to focus. By gaining clarity about what these distractions are and taking measures to make them inaccessible during class and study times, students can thrive in remote learning environments.
Remote Learning Struggles Can Be Overcome
Though the number of challenges that remote learning is forcing students to face may seem disheartening, these obstacles can be overcome. By engaging in the right practices, both educators and students can have more productive and effective interactions with remote learning materials. As time goes on and this form of learning becomes more ubiquitous, many are sure that new innovations and solutions will arise to mitigate the effects of these challenges.
