Impact of COVID-19 on Education: Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning

This study covers the impact of COVID-19 on education, advantages and disadvantages of online learning, and self-evaluation. It also discusses the use of online platforms like Zoom, Slack, and cloud-based learning.

Academic Study Skills

TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Impact of COVID-19 on education process:...............................................................................3
Online learning:...........................................................................................................................3
Advantages of Online learning ...................................................................................................4
Disadvantages of online learning ................................................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
Self-evaluation.............................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Academic skills help the learners to effectively accomplish their learning goals, these
involve the communication, studying, technical skills (Alruwais, Wills and Wald, 2018).
Following study follows the structure where it covers the report on topic which is Covid-19
impact over the learning for which universities have planned to arrange online classes. During
pandemic universities and various educational institutes have decided to go with the software to
deliver the online classes to students. It will cover the advantages and disadvantages of online
learning. This study also covers the section for the essay which is about reflection that covers the
individual experience during completing the research task.
MAIN BODY
Impact of COVID-19 on education process:
COVID-19 is one of the most common but important term for every individual, this
pandemic has impacted almost every sector including educational industry. Due to COVID-19
each and every place was locked and people were asked to stay inside their home, this pandemic
has impacted almost every sector and educational sector was impacted possibly higher. COVID-
19 has brought major changes in the economy, the process of managing each workplace was
impacted. It is very clear that pandemic has introduced certain new concept in the market
(Schleicher, 2020).
Online learning is one of the common term which simply means student learn through
online classes, university have brought this concept when they face negative impact of the
COVID-19. Online learning simply means university will conduct online classes which allow
student to cover almost every subject. Impact on educational industry is common, leaner’s ability
to manage learning was impacted. COVID-19 pushed university to bring major changes in
education process, they introduce online learning for effective education. However, this concept
contains certain negative aspect (Marinoni, Van’t Land and Jensen, 2020). University asked
learner to stay in their home and get complete education, university faced challenges when they
try to conduct online examine were lack of proper integrity noticed in the process.
Online learning:
Online learning is new concept in the education process where learner try to gain
knowledge with online platform. University focused on providing effective learning with e
learning process (Burgess and Sievertsen, 2020). However, there were challenges in managing

online learning where learner found to be ineffective and learning was impacted. University took
certain steps and focused on online platform, there are certain online platforms that was used by
the university to manage learning, these are:
Zoom: This is common but most important platform that allow user to connect via video call,
Zoom is application that provide video calling service to user, this was used by almost every
employee, student, teacher and workers working from home, remote working or any other
places. This application was introducing by university to leaner allowing them to stay connected,
Zoom connect both learner and educator where educator teach student via video call. Zoom’s
feature made education process more effective, this application not only connect user but this
allows university to keep eye on each learner.
Slack: This is one of the most common platform used by university ton manage learning, this
platform not only connect but this allows user to save their file and other important document. It
is very clear that both educator and learner have to share some important file, assignment and
project. Educator post content like educational notes, project brief and other relevant document.
Slack is used by every firm, university try to create a private network in slack which can be used
to connect student and learner all together. Due to COVID-19 this system was used by the
educator and learner to share file, feature of Slack allow both party to even perform video
conferencing.
Cloud based learning: This is another online platform which was used in the online learning
process, this system allow user to connect directly with university where authority share
important note, timetable, notice and other important video calls regarding changes in the
process of education management. Cloud based learning is different from could storing device
where storing is different feature, this application allow university to share information and help
learner to store important information in the cloud based storing device. It is very clear each
information shared by university need to be stored in the cloud storing.
Advantages of Online learning
Before pandemic there were no need of such system and concept but after outbreak of
virus it creates the situations where organisations need to develop such system (Hassan and et.al
2021). During pandemic educational institutes have taken the measure to proceed with the E
learning concept as because of covid it was impossible to conduct the classes on premises
(Islamovna, 2022). Therefore, E learning have been the new and innovative approach in

education with this student can easily continue their learning process and attends the lectures to
develop understanding about the topic. According to the author Ebner and et.al (2020) online
learning have offers the numerous benefits as it offers the greater flexibility and self-paced
learning many students faces the problem to travel to institutes which takes lots of time thus
with E learning it provides a flexibility one can easily take the classes without any juggles to
reach to institute premises. Also during lectures some students does not feel comfortable to ask
for their queries but with the online learning they can revisit the previous material in order to lay
out additional research for developing new concept. However, Author Irfan and et.al (2020) said
that because of this flexibility learner does not show carefully focus on their lectures as they
always feel that they have the past material present to rely on, overall it affects their annual
performance.
As per the view of Almaiah, Al-Khasawneh and Althunibat, (2020) E learning helps in
time management, it enhances the virtual communication and collaboration. With this student
can easily proceed with to develop their own schedule so it will be efficient for them to enhance
their grip over the particular topic, overall assists in managing the time so students can easily
conduct the in depth study in topic for their better learning outcomes. Not only remain to time
management E learning also helps in enhancing the communication skills of the learner, as some
students have the introvert nature so they do not communicate with their colleagues and teacher,
but because of E learning they can easily interact with their team mates to discuss and works on
modules to deliver it on time. Overall it promotes the collaboration among students so that they
share information and enhance their knowledge and understanding. On contrary with this author
Sadeghi, (2019) said that for E learning it is important to have the better internet connectivity
which is the major criteria most of the learners have faced the network problem.
E learning help in developing the technical skills, as dealing with the IT systems and
technology helps in constructing the new knowledge. In the modern era technical skills is must
for the one as world is digitising therefore educational institutes also focus on developing the
ICT knowledge among their students. Pandemic has created the situations where everyone has to
deal with the technologies in order to complete their work. Thus various universities have taken
use of video conferencing, google classroom, Zoom video to conduct the online classes, with this
they teachers can easily conduct their classes, they can also organise the assessment tests for the
students through such platform. However, author Albazie, (2018) stated that to operate with such

devices it is important to have enough knowledge to operate it, as before pandemic such platform
were not in being used so it is obvious that people are unaware of using it. Author continued
their statement as many students and also teachers have face the problem to deal with the
software, therefore it is important to teach learners about to operate with systems so that they
will easily cope up with the problems which they have encountered.
Disadvantages of online learning
According to Nambiar (2020), communication was one of the biggest issue that have arrived due
to online learning, it is very clear that e-learning was done on e-learning platform including
Zoom or any other platform where online learning was promoted. Communication become was
the biggest issue because there was no proper way to stay connected with learner, university
authority was not ready to manage this issue as there was no proper tool. Communication is one
of the most important thing that is required in the university process where educator try to
connect themselves with learner. Due to online learning, communication was impacted.
It is very clear that even with the use of digital technologies and digital platform, it was
challenging for both learner and educator to stay connected. Universities introduce online
communication or connecting application like Zoom that allow learner and educator to stay
connected via video call, this was only possible with different connected platform.
Communication was impacted due to many reasons including poor internet connection, lack of
learner's attention, lack of educator's involvement and many other reason which impacted the
process of effective communication with each other including both learner and educator (Farnell,
Skledar Matijevic and Šcukanec Schmidt, 2021). Learning was impacted due to poor
communication arrive to certain reason, universities has faced this as a major issue in the process
of education management.
From the view point of author (Octaberlina and Muslimin, (2020) online learning is prone to
various disadvantages as it causes the social isolation because of E learning practices in
education it reduces the social interaction. As a result, many of the students and learners have
experienced the social isolation s lack of communication and interaction also created the mental
health problem in some, most of the people have complained that they feel anxiety, stress and
depression because of not being able to communicate with others. However, author Rodrigues
and et.al (2019) said that basically E learning have cultivated the environment where the students
can do virtual communication through various platforms, as they can easily share the information

by making use of the software tools. Other disadvantage of online learning is that it is prone to
the technical issues it is classical drawback where it is seen that disruption in audio, videos and
network connection all affects the learning process. For an instance if the teacher is conducting
the class and they have poor network issues in such it creates an obstacle where the student is not
able to learn the concept. Author Kim, Hong and Song, (2019) said that technical issues can be
easily fixed by incorporating with the right software as now a days online classes can be
conducted and accessed from the one click over the link without downloading any software.
Another disadvantage of online learning is that it enhances the screen time as because of this
learner have to sit longer in front of screens which causes the physical problem like poor
postures and also cause the problem for the students who are not able to focus on learning
through screens.
TASK 2
Self-evaluation
Self-evaluation always plays a crucial role, with the gaining of greater insight helps in
shaping the future goals for the improvements. It gives the feeling of confidence about the
capabilities and increase the abilities to learn rapidly and do more correction for the better
outcomes. As for me before initiating with the project I was very nervous as I have never been
through such tasks, also it consists of the research that requires a patience, good skills, therefore I
was very nervous and under confident about it. but after getting support from the peers, family
members and teacher I develop confidence to commence with such task, I also thought that it
would be a good experience to develop my knowledge in it and to boost my confidence. Initially
I have arranged all the resources which is required for conducting the research, I have
encountered many challenges as time was the biggest issue, to deliver the research project on
time was the biggest challenge for me. Then with the support and guidance of tutor I have
divided my work in different modules and I have initiate with most important one first so that it
helps in completing project before deadline. Therefore, research topic is about to understand the
online learning along with its benefits and drawbacks for that I have taken the views of my peers
and others to obtain the in depth knowledge in it. I always have the reserve nature so I was
worried about to task their views in it but with the peer’s motivation I have asked their view
points over it, for that I have found that many have faced the challenges because of E learning
and some also said that they are benefited from it. To complete the project in a given limited

budget was also stand out as challenge for me, for that I have prepared the list of the essential
resources so that it helps in follow up with the assigned budget. Also to get response from peers
about their E learning experience was also tough as some were not ready to answer it and some
were ready but the timing was issue, because of this I have prepared the list of things which I
need to ask with them so that it helps me in gathering the reliable and up to date data. I have also
taken the data from the latest and published articles from the reliable source, but I faced
challenge in it as some were fall under the category of paid. Overall I have managed to conduct
the research over the topic.
I have enjoyed every bit of this assignment, it was like mixed emotional ride where I was
nervous at beginning but after commencing with it I started developing confidence which helps
me a lot to complete the project. As before I feel very shy to speak with others but now I can
easily interact with others that things are more exciting for me. Also in this assignment I have
gone through some in depth knowledge where I have also introduced with the software that part
was totally enjoyable as software platform were interactive and easy to use, also to do task in
limited time and budget was quite challenging but it also encouraged me to do work without
feeling any pressure. Overall it was a good experience to working on this project. I have learned
different new knowledge and new skills while working on this. I have developed the new skill
like researching and time management skills, before that I was not able to do research on any
topic, but by commencing with the project I have developed this skill. I have learnt different
lessons which I am sure that it will incorporate with me to achieve my desired goals. Throughout
this project I have searched out different websites for getting the information in it, I have used
the key words to identified the reliable articles and sites to get the information.
Overall I can say that I am able to do such type of researching tasks in future as well, as I
developed the confidence to conduct such study. Earlier before I was not able to arrange my
work in an organised manner but as to deliver the project in short time span helps me a lot to
develop the time management skill so that I will be able to complete my work on given deadline.
I have gone through a mixed emotion while working on this as all things were new to me but
after getting positive feedbacks and encouragement from tutor helps me a lot to make better
decision regarding my project. I have taken decisions throughout the project which somehow
helped me a lot to develop the decision making skills. Because of this I have gain the confidence
that I will be able to conduct the research in limited timespan and other resources. Also I have

developed the technical knowledge to operate with different software, overall I have learnt the
new knowledge that is essential for achieving my future goals. I have also identified the area of
improvement as to further enhance the communication skill to conduct the research at large
level, for that I have identified the resources to rely on like to take part in group discussions,
participates in debates and to converse with others will help in enhancing this skill. Just like for
developing the problem solving skill I will go for in depth of problem and to write down all the
possible thoughts so it helps in solving any problem, as while conducting research it is important
to have this skill because to found solution in no time is also challenge, therefore for this it is
important to have this skill. I can also proceed to develop the leadership skill which is also
important as to lead the team in an effective manner to deliver the better outcome.
CONCLUSION
This report has discussed academic skills and its importance in the career development process,
it is very clear that academic skills does matter when it comes to academic learning. Later this
report has discussed impact of COVID-19 on education process, this pandemic not only have
impacted education process but due to online learning it becomes complex to provide effective
learning and education to the learner. Later this report has discussed advantage and disadvantage
of online learning and online platform and understand how this was effectively used to manage
learning in the education process. At last this report has discussed self reflection and self
evaluation and reflected on learning of this module.

REFERENCES
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