Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, lots of schools were closed. But even when schools close, students need to learn. In 2020, many students around the world experienced online learning for the first time. It looks like it will be very popular in the future, too.
Online learning means using your computer to learn. You connect with a teacher and your peers on the internet. They can be anywhere in the world.
Online learning often takes place on a learning platform. The platform might have somewhere to write and draw. It replaces the blackboard or whiteboard in a classroom.
Before you start learning online, you need some equipment. You need a webcam so people can see your face. You need a mic so people can hear your voice. It makes the experience better when you can be seen and heard clearly. It is more like a real classroom.
There are some special features that make online learning different. On the computer, a teacher can mute students. Their voices cannot be heard. Only the teacher can turn the microphones on. It is not like a real classroom!
In a classroom, your teacher might hand out paper. But online, a teacher shares links to the work. It is good for the planet because it saves paper.
It is even possible for teachers to speak to students' parents online. Teachers can have a video conference to speak to parents. They can discuss the progress of a student without ever meeting!
There are lots of things that make online learning better than being in a classroom. Have you ever learned a new language? It can be hard to learn a new language if you don't hear people speak it often. Using a computer, you can meet native speakers of all languages. You can speak to people and practice your language skills.
But online learning does have some drawbacks. You might miss your friends if you can't go to school. You might find it difficult to get to know somebody online. You might not like to look at your computer screen all day. Online learning is good, but it is not perfect.
If you like online learning but you miss physical school, you could try hybrid learning. Hybrid learning is a mix of online learning and learning in the classroom. You get the best of both worlds!