Students should never stop learning. And, technology has proved to be the enabler to ensure the same during the last two years. The best online school management system combined with a host of software programs helped teachers and administrators to move their classes online.
Let’s look at how online classes have impacted school education so far.
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Hybrid teaching model
Teachers initially hesitated to take their classrooms online due to a lack of experience. But, tools like Youtube, Zoom, Google Meets, Blackboard, Microsoft Teams, TeamViewer, etc., enabled them to continue teaching similarly. In addition, trainers used face-to-face video technology to ensure slow learners remained on the same page.
Today, educational institutions have resumed classroom learning. Yet, most of them have implemented hybrid teaching. Yes, this is to get the best out of classroom learning and online classes.
As pointed out by several industry experts, the hybrid teaching model is here to stay.
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Improved availability of high-quality study materials
Several aspects of online classes have changed during the last two years. Trainers who initially hesitated the shift are now champions in creating interactive, engaging course materials for students. In fact, many teachers have turned into podcasters.
They record various lectures and make them available online for later viewing.
School ERP helps trainers in uploading and sharing the content within seconds. In addition, they can distribute learning materials in various formats via school apps, websites, email, and WhatsApp.
Several tools help teachers track the participation and performance of students completing online modules. For example, attendance gets marked automatically when trainees log in and use the school’s online learning platforms.
Result? Students have ample study materials available at their disposal. The situation was different before April 2020. Back then, online learning was dominated by a few edutech startups who sold access to virtual classes and study materials. Only students with privileged financial backgrounds were able to afford the subscription.
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Promotes independent learning
Motivation plays a crucial role while completing online courses. Such courses promote active learning and are student-centered.
Trainers assign the course module along with reference materials. Students take complete responsibility for learning and appear for an assignment or test after completing the module.
Trainees highly value learning and accomplishments. However, their success remains in their hands alone.
Yes, indeed, slow learners benefit from self-learning the most. They can watch recorded lectures, access study materials, and learn at their own pace. Unfortunately, classroom-based learning did not offer this privilege to them.
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Online classes have increased the significance of School ERP
Every educational institution has a specific set of software programs. Those for accounting, online admission processing, fees management, attendance, payroll, and parent-teacher communication are the most commonly used. The Education ERP system offers a combination of all these to automate as many tasks as possible. The software also easily integrates with your school’s existing systems allowing administrators to use a single dashboard for controlling operations centrally.
May it be student performance, admission criteria, government grants, or the institution’s overall financials. Education ERP introduces an excellent level of transparency in the way schools operate. This transparency makes every auditor’s job easy while working with the school.
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Assignments and tests have moved online
Earlier, online exam tools were popularly used by corporates during interview procedures. Now, schools have realized the significance.
As classes moved online, so did exams. Most educational institutions have adopted learning management systems (LMS) and online exam tools. Assignments can be objective, subjective, multiple-choice, theory, and even in the form of drawing.
Online tests are suitable for all subjects and grades.
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Online classes connect students to the global village
Education has indeed managed to break through boundaries.
Alison, an educational institution based in Ireland, offers online courses to students. Similarly, the American non-profit educational organization, Khan Academy, offers free course materials for students worldwide. These are just two out of hundreds of platforms that provide free access to content. Students from financially weak family backgrounds gain the most.
Such platforms have also made life easy for teachers. They can select the best resources and share the link with students.
Earlier, online resources somehow often got less attention and appreciation. In fact, some parents, teachers, school administrators discouraged using laptops and smartphones while learning.
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Online classes help in saving operational costs
Schools worldwide saved recurring costs and overheads on various things during lockdowns.
Costs associated with basics like stationery, electricity, water, and classroom maintenance are colossal. And this highlighted the cost savings possible due to online classes. Therefore, several organizations still continue operating with hybrid teaching models to save operational costs. As per studies, savings can be anywhere between 3 to 50 percent in operating costs.
Trainees enrolled in online classes do not access facilities provided on campus. So, schools can pass on the savings to students by reducing online courses fees.
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Challenges
Challenges are always a part of the parcel. Educational institutions wish to upgrade their infrastructure to support digital learning. However, it remains a challenge in small cities due to the unavailability of smartphones, laptops, and the internet with trainees. Access to lack of quality education has increased in some countries since 2020. Students remain deprived of opportunities to learn. So, such trainees opt for classroom-based learning. Mix and match of classroom and virtual learning can do the trick.
To conclude;
Physical classrooms are open, but virtual ones are also here to stay. Vendors can analyze opportunities and challenges to help you with the best ERP software for hybrid teaching.