In our last issue, we featured an article from our Training section discussing the transition to online learning for the INOU’s two Local Training Initiatives – Building Futures and Shaping Futures – and the learning curve that both tutors and students went through to adapt to the new way of working that so many are experiencing due to COVID-19 lockdown measures.
This article features excerpts from 4 Building Futures students’ accounts of their experiences of online learning. They discuss their personal journeys from a classroom environment to a purely web-based way of learning and submitting assignments.
Students shared that they initially felt daunted by the prospect of moving to online learning:
S.C. - “First, I went into panic mode, asking myself ‘How will I manage without my own PC or tablet?’ The library where I always went to do my assignments was closed. It wasn’t financially possible for me to buy a computer, but with the help of the INOU team, my colleagues and I were able to borrow laptops for the COVID-19 lockdown.”
S.H. – “On hearing this, I was a little worried, to be honest, as I am not usually very comfortable using the computer and had been finding it a bit difficult.”
R. – “We had spent months in a classroom setting with the comfort of the trainer in our presence where we could ask questions about things we were unsure of. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and we were confined at home, uncertain of what was going to happen with our course.”
J.- “I am a mature student and when I joined the INOU’s Building Futures course, my IT skills weren’t great. I didn’t realise how much technology would be involved, so I struggled from the beginning. I had a brand new laptop which I didn’t know how to use. When I was in the classroom with the tutors and other students, the face-to-face help, support and encouragement were always available to me.”
While adapting to their new learning routines, students found some aspects of technology-driven online engagement challenging. These challenges were multi-faceted, including technical problems, finding space to learn at home, and worrying about being able to succeed in the Building Futures course:
J. – “COVID-19 changed how we learned; there were no more classes in the INOU building, and we were learning online. I found online learning very challenging, frustrating and upsetting, and I was angry at myself for feeling inadequate. I dreaded the Zoom classes and I missed them twice because I didn’t know how to un-mute my audio. I felt stupid.”
S.C. – “Secondary issues that appeared were technical ones. (…) I don’t have a router at home so I had to learn how to use my phone’s internet as my hotspot to connect to the laptop.
The next step was trying to access the link sent to my yahoo email. I was stressing out that I couldn’t get on to the [Building Futures] site. Later on, I figured out that I needed a Gmail address, so I had to learn how to set one up. (…)
The next challenge was the Zoom meetings. Starting off, I was afraid I could damage the laptop by downloading the Zoom app. I was worried about managing the app so that I could hear and be heard, as well as finding a quiet place to talk from, because at home I can’t; I live with over 10 people, plus their friends and families.”
R. – “I’m the type that has to have a good understanding of a task before I make an attempt so I tend to ask a lot of questions, but, with our circumstances, I became frustrated at times because I felt like a nuisance having to constantly ask our trainers questions over the phone. Also, with the constant flow of emails, WhatsApp messages and Zoom meetings coming in, I became very overwhelmed and at times I thought ‘How am I going to manage this?’”
Despite the difficulties and worries, the students embraced online learning:
S.H. – “(…) many things in addition to the whole learning package have made online learning easy to follow, and a great way to carry out assignments: regular learning group Zoom calls with the tutor for each module where we learn, ask questions and share our own work; using Google Docs for group assignments which was a new and enjoyable experience for me; and a WhatsApp group connection where the participants can support each other and contact the tutors at any time during the day.”
S.C. – “(…) if I were to see the good in this situation, it would be that along with the educational information, through accessing the internet so much I learned how easy it is to access the online classes, how to use Zoom and other programs such as Google Docs.”
R. – “I had to seek help from outside sources and got some great advice on ‘mind management’ that benefited me greatly. I was able to readjust myself and had to learn to take one assignment at a time while also taking breaks to maintain my concentration. Eventually, like anything, as time went on, I grew so used to learning and submitting work online that it was second nature to me.”
Students reflected on their experiences and shared their opinions on the positives and negatives of the experience:
S.C. – “In the end, I would like to express that I prefer the more active learning in a classroom because you have the opportunity to ask questions, find answers and interact with people – to observe reactions and “see” their way of thinking. Through Zoom meetings, this social flavour is lost.
It’s sad that we don’t have time to ask each other anything about our lives in general; everything is focused exclusively on the assignments.”
S.H. – “For me, when the country was put into lockdown as a way of containing COVID-19, I was very apprehensive, worried about being able to cope, and had many questions.
I have found that the course as a whole has become much clearer to me, sort of like a sequence of stepping stones. I have gained a lot more confidence in using my computer, I’m less afraid to try new things out, and I am enjoying my own company more and learning loads.”
J. - “I have to say a big, big thank you to all the tutors who supported and encouraged me to continue and finish the course. Today I can see the benefits of online learning, and I’m happy to say I am now more computer literate, I enjoy the Zoom classes and I have more confidence using the laptop.”
R. – “When I look back over the experience, I think I learned a lot more than I would have in a classroom due to the fact that I examined my tasks much more thoroughly as they were sent to me. I found myself really focused on the tasks – maybe because I knew that I did not have the comfort of asking the trainer for help in person. (…) It was difficult, but I really enjoyed the challenge.”
On the use of the websites built to support this learning:
SH - “I found the layout of the website very easy to navigate. Each module has a topic and an assignment attached to it. Also, there is great use of videos and imagery as a learning tool. The fact that I can go over each topic as often I choose to is very helpful in the learning process. There is also a list of ‘present jobs available’ section, list of personal support services, regular updates on COVID-19 information and a whole section on all types of free classes being offered online for everyone during this epidemic.”