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Shepherd Chimururi
Youth Interactive Correspondent
There is a wide digital gap between urban schools and rural schools in as far as e-learning resource materials are concerned. Some things never change. Rural schools used to suffer the perennial shortage of physical books and now they suffer the lack of access to online e-learning platforms.
Progressive educationists had hoped that technology would be the equaliser with the advent of electronic learning aid which have blessed scholars with soft copies.
Nevertheless, schools in under privileged communities are facing acute challenges in the migration process. Majority of schools that have managed to acquire e-learning gadgets are finding themselves stuck with huge bills for internet bundles or poor connectivity turning them into white elephants. That is a grim reality.
The absence of reliable network connectivity in remote areas makes it difficult for learners to gain access to the internet even if the school has funds to buy data bundles.
This is where offline e-learning packages come in as the saviour. According to the Technopedia offline learning refers to situations where the program is not operating and taking in new information in real time. Instead, it has a static set of input data. The opposite is online e-learning, where the machine learning program is working in real time on data that comes in.
In simple terms, offline e-learning packages operate as digital libraries which are preloaded with a combination of multimedia learning aids like textbooks, video tutorials, study packs, self testing exercises, or even interactive programmes in order to enhance learning. This means a school can use this model without worries for internet connectivity speeds, costs of the internet or bundle expiry dates.
The main difference between online and offline e-learning is connectivity. With offline learning, participants are required to have the preloaded package in their gadget either in phone, computer, dvd, etc, which they carry to either the lecture hall, classroom or even home. With online learning, on the other hand, the learning can be conducted from the internet practically anywhere in the world using internet compliant gadgets like phones, tablets, computers, etc.
The packages can be installed in school computers as well as personal computers of the both teachers and learners or stored on dvds or memory sticks.
In essence, e-learning does not mean always learning online using the computer. E-learning can be done at a school without internet. This is one hidden truth that has not been promoted by the corporate sector because it lacks of commercial value. It is possible for a school without a computer to implement e-learning.
Playing an educational dvd and showing it via a TV or projector is also offline e-learning and it can give wonderful results.
The most important thing is the transmission of data electronically through audio and visuals.
Over the years there have been pomp and fanfare during the launch of various online e-learning initiatives but their success have been minimal because of mainly expensive data. The access to the e-learning platform itself might be free of charge but it takes money and network to connect to the internet.
The unpredictable behaviour of mobile network operators have left school online e-learning plans in tatters. At one time all the country’s three mobile operators offered e-learning bundle facilities, which were utilised by schools during lockdown but students were caught unaware with a grim notice, ‘kindly note that we have ceased the facility of e-learning bundles with immediate effect.’
Another beef with internet service providers is on data bundles that expire. Surely the government should protect learners and schools from ISPs as it is unfair for subscribers to be disconnected if a bundle is not utilised within a stipulated time frame. Various factors affect the timely usage of the bundle like poor network or lack of electricity.
School authorities need to do research on different types of e-learning and vet their suitability to local situations before parting with the hard earned cash. For the record there are 10 different types of e-learning namely computer managed learning, computer assisted instruction, fixed e-learning, adaptive e-learning, linear e-learning, interactive online learning, synchronous online learning, asynchronous online learning, individual online learning and collaborative online learning.
Exorbitant data and internet charges by mobile network operators and internet service providers have disfranchised majority of learners. Offline e-learning packages are the way to go.
Online Reporter