With the ever onward march of technology, we see different aspects of our society shaping and evolving thanks to new technological breakthroughs that allow us to accomplish tasks in new, faster, more efficient ways. While it may lag considerably, education is no different and is slowly beginning to accept change.

There are so many different ways teachers can conduct their lessons, and e-learning is a viable method that many accept with open arms. Of course, there are some disadvantages to it, with a few being discussed here in this article. If you would like to read about more of the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning, we recommend reading here.

What Is E-Learning?

Put simply, e-learning is electronic learning. It is a way of hosting a class or lesson electronically across devices, such as laptops, tablets, or cellphones. 

Some various applications or tools can help you create these online classes that can simulate a classroom. One popular option is Pedagogue, which is a Social Learning Management System, or SLMS, that provides educators a medium to create online lessons and distribute their information across their specialized social media. 

You can use an SLMS to merge traditional learning with newer technology, allowing modern teens and kids to better grapple with their lessons.

The Challenge of the Senses

While it is certainly a great way to educate, e-learning is not without its faults. No teaching or learning style is, but many are quick to jump the gun and criticize e-learning because its disadvantages can be quite severe for the learner and the educator.

One of the significant problems with e-learning is the lack of feedback for many of the senses, which would typically be stimulated in a traditional classroom. In a traditional classroom, almost all your senses are triggered. There is tactile feedback from your notes and pens and pencils to hearing and sight being stimulated through the teaching done in front of you. In a classroom, your mind is reinforced by what is around you, and you then know, either consciously or subconsciously, that now is the time to pay attention.

However, when you aren’t in a classroom but are sitting at home in your room, you are suddenly in a space that is familiar to you as a place to relax and be comfortable. This is a prime location for your mind to wander and become distracted easily. It is effortless to lose concentration at home, which is much harder than in a classroom.

How to Combat Distractions

There are a few ways to combat distractions, but there is very little that the teacher can do alone. You can try your best to make your lessons as engaging, accessible, and easy to grasp as possible. You can also try to minimize the chances of someone wandering off, but you also need to rely on your students to take responsibility, steel themselves against their environment, and train themselves to focus during the online classes.

Concluding Thoughts

To quickly summarize, e-learning has many different advantages, but it also comes at significant risk. It requires an extra level of responsibility for all involved, and it also requires the right kind of person to take part. It isn’t for everyone, so be sure to be as inclusive as possible. Here are some tips on how to make your online classes more accessible to all.