This article was originally written in Spanish. Your browser can translate it automatically.
Current education: variables,
characteristics and differences
Although sometimes used as synonyms, it is important to know the differences between online education, virtual education, distance education, and emergency remote education. Discover everything in this note.
The new paradigms caused radical changes in many areas of daily life. One of them is online and virtual education, which had to be updated in record time due to the emergence of the pandemic.
From there, different methods began to emerge applied to teaching classes and conducting evaluations, one of them being online education, virtual education, distance education, and emergency remote education. But do differences exist between each of them? The answer is yes.
Studies reveal that virtual and online education correspond to two different types of teaching, however – in practice – they are generally used as synonyms. For this reason it is important to know their differences, advantages and disadvantages to take the best from each one.
Online education
It is defined as that in which educators and students participate and interact in a digital environment, using the internet and computer networks in a synchronous manner. This procedure usually has the social dimension as an area of opportunity, since the teacher may have to make an effort to achieve group unity, creating a climate of freedom and trust.
Following this, teachers who participate in this education are usually called "tutors", because the role within the virtual classroom is to support and assist the student in their learning process.
Now, considering the advantages, the opening of access to information stands out, flexibility, the development of self-management, personalized support and the reduction of expenses related to the use of physical spaces.
Virtual education
This model requires mandatory technological resources, such as a computer or tablet, internet connection and the use of a multimedia platform. Unlike online education, the virtual system operates asynchronously, since teachers do not have to coincide in schedules with their students for sessions.
Regarding teaching work, reference materials and work are shared through platforms, where students upload their activities for review and subsequently can receive feedback to see their areas of opportunity.
In relation to its virtues, the flexibility of schedules stands out especially, as well as efficiency, because in virtual education topics advance rapidly, avoiding distractions.
Distance education
Contrary to the previous education, the distance format can have a percentage of face-to-face and another virtual component, however, this can vary depending on the institution where it is taught. Students have control over the time, space and pace of their learning, because an internet connection or computing resources are not required.
The materials used are normally physical, such as notebooks, USB drives, CDs, among others; there are even many programs that send educational material and lessons by postal mail. Another example is distance education through open television channels, which has been applied by the Public Education Secretaries of several Latin American countries.
Of equal importance, when learning resources are delivered, educators have the responsibility to grade and accredit them, as well as provide feedback. This can be done by phone, email or text message. Likewise, some teachers have the task of recording the class that will be broadcast on television or radio.
On the other hand, distance education presents advantages of flexibility and accessibility, since these programs have greater reach and reach people of all socioeconomic levels thanks to the simplicity of the technological resources required.
Emergency remote education
In the context of COVID-19, education faced an extremely difficult situation since it had to adapt its methods in a very short period of time in order to continue teaching classes to all its students. The main objective of this type of education is to transfer face-to-face courses to a remote, virtual, distance or online classroom.
Currently the teacher's role can vary, depending on the method used. But one thing is certain, the virtue of this method lay in prioritizing the health emergency situation and ensuring the well-being of its students.
Finally, it should be noted that the world is in a stage of reconstruction where any type of learning is welcome. This is why the topics presented in the note are relevant to all people, because they will affect the future of current generations.
Distance education is extremely relevant and new technologies, in line with artificial intelligence and biometric validation, became the right hand to carry out the process successfully. Learn more about detection and facial recognition here.
Share on your networks
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Subscribe to our newsletter
Subscribe to Educational Outlook
Join the Klarway community and receive technology and education trends directly in your inbox.