Online learning has surged in popularity recently in a world dominated by digital technologies. The COVID-19 epidemic has inspired innovative approaches to education. To continue educating students, educational institutions all across the world are turning to online learning platforms. We listened to an interesting discussion about whether or not online schooling is bad for kids’ social and academic development on Monday night. Colton, Britney S., and Kayla, who were on the agreeing side, asserted that internet education is bad for kids’ growth. While in an effort to show that online education does not harm children’s social and academic development, the opposing group Christopher, Arkin, and Katherine tried to present evidence to the contrary. The main point discussed by agree team was the digital divide. Lack of access to reliable high-speed internet and a one-to-one device for online learning among the most struggling students. The coronavirus epidemic has highlighted the negative impacts of the digital gap in education, keeping instructors and students in the dark due to a lack of access to technology and digital literacy. Restricting access to knowledge, also makes people less knowledgeable. Teachers only comprehend the absolute basics of technology. In some cases, they even lack the equipment and resources required to conduct online classes.

Digital divide

Another point mentioned by agree team is the difficulty of maintaining attention on a computer for extended periods of time is one of the largest obstacles to online learning for many students. Students are more likely to become quickly distracted by social media or other websites when they are learning online. Moreover, In the company of their peers, students can pick up a lot of knowledge. On the other hand, there are very few in-person encounters between students and lecturers in an online course. For the pupils, this frequently creates a feeling of isolation. https://kentuckycounselingcenter.com/mental-health-effects-of-online-learning/ This article is shared by agree team suggested that With the rise of online learning, mental health is compromised. The article discusses in detail how prolonged online learning can leave students mentally exhausted. It also looks at how social isolation brought on by a lack of social interactions affects young people’s feelings of loneliness and motivation. The essay goes on to highlight further issues, including the increased tension and anxiety that students experience because of a lack of routines and the distractions they encounter at home when attempting to pay attention in class.

However,  disagree team also did a great job  Christopher, Arkin, and Katherine presented that online education has grown in popularity because of its benefits for students, which include flexibility, inclusion, and greater class participation and concentration. Students can work and learn from the convenience of their homes while enrolled in an online course. They can access all the information they require in similar formats to how they previously studied through online webinars, lectures, tutoring, and other digital learning resources. They can even connect with students from around the world without ever leaving their homes by using these resources to learn. The cheaper expenses of online education for children are a significant benefit. Children benefit from online learning since it is more economical and efficient. These online classes provide an accessible learning environment and are readily available online.  Furthermore, online learning provides an opportunity for all students to take part in class discussions and to ask and respond to questions. The virtual environment of webinars and small online class groups makes students typically feel more involved and comfortable offering their thoughts during class discussions, especially for those who might find speaking in front of classmates in a physical setting frightening. Not only this, students can get access to all audio and written materials. This means that students can access and browse through the material and resources whenever they want if they are having trouble understanding a subject or want to learn more about it to make it “stick. The internet can provide many people with disabilities considerable opportunities, even though accessibility is still a problem. Access to the internet is not a detrimental experience for people with numerous impairments. The network offers a variety of opportunities for social connection and disclosure that may not be there when talking with people face to face in an analog context. The internet offers a variety of opportunities for work, play, and commerce for those who have trouble navigating the traditional world.

To summarize nothing is flawless, including the online study technique. While it undoubtedly has drawbacks, it can also be extremely helpful in some dire circumstances. For many schools and their pupils, the COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdown, for instance, was a blessing in disguise technologically advanced day, online learning is beneficial in many ways, Effective time management is provided through e-learning. Additionally, it encourages kids to learn. It increases academic achievement and has endless potential. We can combine our work, family, and academic responsibilities with the help of the online program. Since it’s hard for them to interact in a classroom setting, shy pupils find it simpler to communicate and comprehend but traditional classroom settings still have numerous advantages that should not be completely disregarded.  I think we should now benefit from both physical and online classes Students receive knowledge and instruction from it, which facilitates learning On the other hand, some subjects are better taught in classroom settings as opposed to online courses. As a result, we can also say that the subject matter and student demographics significantly impact how well online learning works.