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What are some of the challenges that come with Digital Education?

Jeptha Suthren

As a user of social media, there are several challenges that come with digital education. One of the most significant challenges is accessing the internet. Many individuals don't have access to the internet, particularly people from rural areas or those who live in closer-to-poverty communities. Consequently, students from those areas do not have the liberty to study online as people residing in the urban areas.

Another significant challenge is the quality of the internet. Even people with access to the internet may struggle to manage digital education because of the quality of the internet. The internet speed is probably slow in most rural and underprivileged areas, which makes it challenging to download lectures or access course content. This can be a problem, especially when you have to finish a course project or submit assignments in a deadline manner.

Another challenge that comes with remote education is a physical space to study. Not everyone owns a computer, a desk, or a chair, creating a lot of physical disability for students to locate a workable space to study. Without a dedicated study space, it becomes tough for students to concentrate, manage their workload, and conduct their research. It also becomes hard to strike a balance between work, studies, and even adequate sleep patterns.

Moreover, digital education has high monetary requirements. Online education isn't entirely free, as most people would think, which implies that students require access to either pay for the courses or have a strong device to access the course content. The cost of a reliable device, like a laptop, is not feasible for everyone. Additionally, access to a reliable internet connection requires a lot of monetary support, which not everyone can afford. In other words, the financing of digital education is a challenge that sometimes can deter people from enrolling in online courses.

Lastly, digital education requires a lot of self-discipline and self-motivation, which may not come naturally to everyone. In an online classroom setting, students are responsible for their learning experience, and the rigor required of them is considerably high. This responsibility can become overwhelming for students, making them susceptible to lack of discipline and motivation. The educators' personal touch that is an essential aspect of traditional classrooms becomes missing in online classes, thus making the learning experience quite challenging.

In conclusion, digital education has opened up a new world of learning possibilities. However, remote learning comes with its set of distinct challenges. These challenges range from access, quality of the internet, physical space, and high monetary requirements to self-discipline and motivation. Many educators and institutions have sought to counter these challenges by various means, including providing online learners with subsidized pricing or low internet quality, customized lectures and online support, and providing them with the possibility to interact with classmates. It's necessary to mitigate these challenges as much as possible because online education is the medium of the future. However, we must do it with care and consider the distinct disadvantages that students might face along the way.