Challenges
One of the main goals related to e-education is to make our lives easier by using the accessibility of this approach. However, throughout the e-learning process, we continue to face various challenges related to lack of literacy and/or digital skills.
Learners may encounter some challenges that may be an obstacle to online learning. However, these obstacles are easily circumvented with some research.
Some of the challenges that every learner may encounter in online education are:
- Difficulty finding online materials that are appropriate to each individual’s knowledge and what they want to learn.
- Distractions or difficulty concentrating to learn. These distractions can arise through all that the internet has to offer, and learners should try to focus on what they really want to learn and their goals.
- Students should also seek out the most up-to-date content in order to keep up with the latest information in the topics of interest to them.
- Difficulty in having the necessary equipment (computer, speakers, headphones, among others) for the correct viewing of the contents to be learned. Although currently the contents are already available for most equipment, including smartphones.
In addition, learners should try to maintain their social interactions to avoid negative feelings and thoughts. Furthermore, discussing content and experiences with other learners will be positive.
Despite the relevance of the above challenges, another area that has sparked debate is linked to personal and social interaction. E-learning avoids face-to-face meetings, which can hinder the feeling of belonging to a group or class. This problem hinders interaction between students, including sharing of experiences and useful discussions.
At the same time, e-learning can lead to cases of isolation and also contribute to an increase in mental illness. On the one hand, it can avoid stressful situations where face-to-face contact is necessary. On the other hand, it can lead to an increase in isolation and a decrease in social contact. Therefore, e-learning should be carefully analysed to avoid uncomfortable situations for all participants. Interaction with other students should always be promoted to seek knowledge sharing (Hošková-Mayerová & Rosická, 2015).