Since 2020 university students have been struggling to continue or finish their education because they witnessed a worldwide lockdown of universities. Immediately most of the universities asked their overseas students to return home safely. The situation improved slightly in 2021 with new students wanting to start new courses. Universities are now aware of the uncertainties that are prevailing due to Covid19.
The Covid19 has changed education patterns for millions around the globe. New findings for the educational sector brought much-needed changes. Given the digital divide, shifts in educational approaches widen equality gaps, for example, online learning has shown an increase in retention.
Currently, universities across the US in particular, have adjusted their programs in response to the spread of Covid19. The majority of universities around the world use some form of online education in their coursework. Some universities already have strong online systems while smaller universities struggle. University course developers work closely with various departments to ensure that their programs are supported online. For example, one such university that is currently undertaking these measures is the University of Southern California, which is testing its online platforms. This ensures that it can handle 7,000 plus lectures and at last digital marketing gets an ecosystem and can plan more strategies.
Covid19 Universities e-learning solutions.
Demand is on the rise due to lockdowns; many online learning platforms are offering free access to their services. Online tutoring is now the world’s most highly valued educational company and looks good than ever before.
They tried to provide online tutoring and learning for teachers and students. For example Lark, a Singapore-based company developed Byte Dance an internal tool that meets the exponential growth. Simultaneously they have been offering teachers and students unlimited video conferencing time, auto-translation capabilities, real-time co-editing of project work, and smart calendar scheduling. Meanwhile, in the time of crisis, lark ramped up its global server infrastructure and engineering to ensure reliable connectivity.
Before Covid-19, global educational company’s investments reached US$18.66 billion in 2019. Currently, with Covid-19 impact, the overall market for online education is projected to reach $350 Billion by 2025. Now language apps, virtual tutoring, video conferencing tools, or online learning software, there has been a significant usage.
Covid19 Universities Future e-learning solutions.
Some believe that the unplanned and rapid move may result in a poor user experience. Eventually new hybrid model of education will emerge, with significant benefits. For example, Zhejiang University managed to get more than 5,000 courses online just two weeks into the transition using “DingTalk ZJU”. The Imperial College of London started offering a course on the science of coronavirus and now has the most enrolled in 2020.
The benefits: Dr. Amjad, a Professor at The University of Jordan has been using Lark to teach his students. He says, “It has changed the way of teaching and it enables to reach out students more efficiently”. During Covid19, it makes it more effective through chat groups, video meetings, voting, and document sharing.
Covid19 Universities e-learning challenges.
There are few challenges to overcome for example some students have no reliable internet or technology they struggle to participate in digital learning. This gap is seen across in few countries. For example, 95% of students in Switzerland, Norway, and Austria have a computer to use for their schoolwork, only 34% in Indonesia do, according to OECD data.
In the US, there is a significant gap between those from privileged and disadvantaged backgrounds. Privileged backgrounds say they have a computer to work on. Nearly 25% of those from disadvantaged backgrounds did not have. While some schools and governments have been providing digital equipment to students in need. There is a concern that the pandemic will widen the digital divide.
Covid19 Universities Effective e-Learning solutions
Some research shows that on average, students retain 25-60% more material when learning online compared to only 8-10% in the classroom. Subsequently, students can learn faster online and require 40-60% less time to learn than in a traditional classroom. After online classes students can learn at their own pace, going back and re-reading, skipping, or accelerating through concepts as they choose. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of online learning varies amongst age groups.
Covid-19 has helped us to understand digital marketing, enabling us to understand the digital traffic of the website, student’s behaviour and to build digital marketing strategies. Simultaneously online programs plan and execute transformational digital marketing strategies and best practices.
Covid19 Universities e-learning strategic business goals
Conclusion and e-learning solutions
Students who join the universities prefer to check if the university has proper digital facilities. This has become their first priority before joining the university. After Covid-19 students have adapted to change that’s is, if the classes are conducted, they would pursue. If not applicable students opt to stay inside their room and learn. Digital media has provided the solution and the new era of digital learning is taking us to the next level. Online education will become an integral component of education. will have a hybrid model – Digital skills for all eventually.
About
S.K Perumal is the IIDM Digital Marketing Analyst at International Institute of Digital Marketing™ and a Strategic consultant for two non-profit organizations for the unorganized sector in India. I have been part of providing IT solutions and application development. Perumal is a former banker in New Zealand who loves innovation and incorporates them into his professional career.