Discussion
Started 10 July 2024

Is online learning going to take over the world of education for the next 10-15 years?

Post-COVID, online platforms or remote learning especially in the education field has accelerated its pace. Is this going to make a lasting impression where educators must adapt to this new way of learning or are we returning back to physical school, physical tutorings or physical lectures in the near future.

Most recent answer

Although new platforms continue to emerge for online learning, the face-to-face classroom experience still trumps the online. Students engage more fully with each other, the faculty, and the administration, when they are in the classroom. During Covid-19, online learning rescued institutions and students. Face-to-face teaching has existed since 2022 and are more engaged. We should push for blended learning to take advantage of the technology and a vast population of students.

All replies (17)

Princess Varona
Independent Researcher
Online learning will be very important in the future of education, but it won't completely replace traditional schooling. Instead, it will work alongside traditional and hybrid models, making education more flexible and accessible.
Hendricks John Mambwe
Uganda Martyrs University
Sure, over the next 10-15 years, likely on-line learning is poised to significantly transform the landscape of education, offering unprecedented accessibility and flexibility to a global audience. Advances in technology will enable interactive and personalized learning experiences, making online education a viable and often more cost-effective alternative to traditional classroom settings. The blended learning model, combining online and in-person instruction, is expected to become more prevalent, capitalizing on the strengths of both methods. While global events like the COVID-19 pandemic have accelerated the adoption of online learning, the intrinsic value of face-to-face interactions and hands-on experiences in traditional education will ensure it retains a crucial role. Thus, the future of education will likely be a harmonious integration of online and traditional methods, creating a more inclusive and dynamic educational environment.
Nilu Gunathunga
University of Vocational Technology
We will stick to physical classes as it provides overall good rapport among students and teachers. However online platforms will be popular due to their motivating, time-saving factors. The busyness of our lives thrives to select distant learning methods and online communication. The online substant will definitely be demanding more in the future and simultaneously bring several disadvantages for learners.
Sahar Abdulrazzaq Fattah
University of Baghdad
The future of education is likely to include a significant increase in online learning over the next 10-15 years, but it is unlikely to completely take over. There are some key points to consider, such as, flexibility and accessibility, technological advancements, cost-effectiveness, and challenges. Therefore, online learning will significantly shape the future of education and likely grow in prominence. It will most likely complement rather than completely replace traditional in-person education.
Azwar Ananda
State University of Padang
In my mind no, The roles of teachers can not be subtituted by machines. In Australia on 1995 a research concluded that teacher can not chnged by machines.
1 Recommendation
Curnell Johnson
Lamar University
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly transformed the landscape of education, accelerating the adoption of online and remote learning platforms at an unprecedented rate. The sudden shift from traditional classroom settings to virtual instruction has led many to ponder the long-term implications of this paradigm shift (Wang, 2021).
Online education offers several advantages, including increased flexibility, global reach, and enhanced equity in access to educational resources (Xie et al., 2020). Notably, research has shown that students can retain 25-60% of course content when learning online, compared to the 8-10% average for in-person instruction (Neo, 2022). This suggests that online platforms have the potential to enhance the overall learning experience, provided they are implemented effectively.
However, the transition to online learning has not been without its challenges (Xie et al., 2020) (Mollenkopf et al., 2020).Technological constraints, a lack of a sense of belonging and connectedness, and @decreased student engagement have emerged as key concerns. Ultimately, the success of online education hinges on the learners' ability to be self-motivated, self-disciplined, and technologically adept. (Xie et al., 2020) (Kim & Kim, 2021).
Looking to the future, online education will continue to play a significant role in the post-COVID "next normal"(Xie et al., 2020).Educational institutions are increasingly offering degree-granting distance and hybrid programs, recognizing the benefits of digital instruction. At the same time, experts caution that online learning is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and a balanced approach that combines the strengths of both traditional and virtual instruction may be the most effective way forward. As educators and policymakers navigate this evolving landscape, it will be crucial to address the challenges of online learning and leverage its potential to create a more accessible, flexible, and innovative educational system.
Helmut Wagabi
IUBH Duales Studium
Online learning is increasingly being recognised by many people worldwide, including the Europeans who, for many years have looked down upon it and given the impression that full degrees cannot be earned via online learning. However, just like TV and social media channels haven't taken away the use of radios as a news medium, neither can online learning take over face-to-face learning.
Magdalena Dumitrana
Independent researcher
Unfortunately, yes. "Global society" does not need people, human beings; and actually, it does not need school either.
Lūkass Edmunds Teteris
Latvian Academy of Sport Education
Not in sports education
Gavisiddappa Rudrappa Angadi
Central University of Karnataka
Online learning will certainly continue to play a significant role in the world of education over the next 10-15 years, but whether it will completely take over traditional education is uncertain.
Hybrid models, blending online and offline learning, will likely become more prevalent, offering the benefits of both worlds. The future of education will likely involve a combination of:
- Online learning platforms for flexible, personalized learning
- Traditional classrooms for socialization, hands-on experiences, and human interaction
- Hybrid models for the best of both worlds
While online learning will continue to grow, it won't replace traditional education entirely. Instead, it will complement and enhance the learning experience, offering flexibility and accessibility to a wider range of students. The next 10-15 years will see a blended approach, with technology and traditional methods working together to create a more inclusive, effective, and engaging education system.
Emmanuel Dwamena
University of Connecticut
The question of whether online learning will dominate education in the next 10-15 years is quite multifaceted and requires a nuanced analysis. Technological advancements, such as AI and VR/AR, have significantly improved online education’s quality and accessibility, making it more inclusive and effective. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of online learning, highlighting both its potential and challenges. However, the digital divide remains a significant barrier, as access to reliable internet and devices is uneven across socio-economic groups. Effective online learning requires innovative pedagogical approaches that leverage digital media’s strengths. Economically, online learning can reduce costs, making education more affordable, but the initial investment in technology and training is substantial. The future likely lies in hybrid models that combine online and offline methods, offering a balanced solution that maximizes both modalities’ strengths.
Mrs.N.Adlin Shinija
ANNAMMAL COLLEGE OF NURSING
E-learning, while offering undeniable advantages, cannot fully replace the rich and dynamic experience of classroom learning. While e-learning provides flexibility, accessibility, and the ability to cater to diverse learning styles, it lacks crucial elements found in traditional classrooms
Stella Austin
University of Stirling
Whilst the introduction of AI has made a huge difference in teaching and learning people are still individuals with different preferred learning styles. Whilst a lot of learning can be quite successful carried out remotely and very cost effective for employers with no travel to pay etc... some topics just need a face to face practical approach especially within Health and Social Care. Also learning is a social enterprise and learning from each others' experience is a very valuable commodity that technology cannot rally replace...
Wenyang Wei
University of Bristol
Online learnings provide with many opportunities and challenges. I would say adaptation is the key.
1 Recommendation
Magdalena Dumitrana
Independent researcher
Is anyone who could understand that learning is NOT instruction, but first of all, education? And education canNot be realized with robots unless the aim of a society is to obtain non human in the human skin? Have you learn about "The Second World" when people, including the students, hide themselves under different avatars? Have you heard about schizophrenia? This is exactly what we got. But what about the special needs children and students of any age? Nobody cares, of course, they are just disposable items according to neo humanism which rules this world.
Alejandra Endrina
Panabo City Senior High School
It's quite tough question for me as teacher but this is reality. Online learning is set to play a major role in education over the next 10-15 years, but it’s unlikely to completely replace traditional methods. The flexibility and accessibility of online platforms have already transformed how we approach learning. With advancements in technology, such as AI and virtual reality, online education is becoming more engaging and personalized. These tools allow for tailored learning experiences that can adapt to individual needs, something traditional classrooms often struggle to achieve.
However, the value of in-person interactions and the social aspects of traditional education cannot be overlooked. Many students benefit from the structure and direct support that physical classrooms provide. Hybrid models, which combine online and in-person learning, are likely to become more common, offering the best of both worlds. This approach can cater to diverse learning preferences and ensure that education remains inclusive and comprehensive.
So for me, while online learning will undoubtedly grow and evolve, it will likely complement rather than completely replace traditional education methods.
Although new platforms continue to emerge for online learning, the face-to-face classroom experience still trumps the online. Students engage more fully with each other, the faculty, and the administration, when they are in the classroom. During Covid-19, online learning rescued institutions and students. Face-to-face teaching has existed since 2022 and are more engaged. We should push for blended learning to take advantage of the technology and a vast population of students.

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