Pure frontal teaching by teachers in schools has been outdated for a long time. For some years now, new forms of learning have been used, such as group work, independent work or project tasks. However, at the latest since homeschooling became part of everyday life for thousands of students for some time, it has become clear that schools still have a lot of catching up to do, especially in the area of digital learning.
Internet-based learning platforms can make a big contribution here, even in times when regular school life has returned. One of the biggest advantages is that learning can take place regardless of location. For example, learning material missed during a school year due to illness or absence can be made up during the vacations. At the same time, ambitious students can gain additional knowledge that they simply don’t have the time to learn in school.
Digital learning also offers students with learning problems an additional incentive to engage more intensively with the content to be learned. Above all, the individual learning pace can be adapted to the level of each child. In addition, the various learning platforms offer many additional practice tasks with which the children can practice until the learning material has been understood.
Today’s youth is inevitably growing up in a world shaped by digitalization. Digital learning is thus exactly in tune with the spirit of the times and is positively accepted by most students. Since children and young people spend a large part of their free time in front of a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone anyway, digital learning platforms start exactly where students naturally spend their time. Learning in digital form is therefore highly accepted by most students.
However, for all the advantages that digital learning brings, the associated disadvantages must also be considered. While it is relatively easy to teach the subject matter to a large number of students in a variety of ways, virtual classrooms cannot replace the social components of everyday school life.
Thus, the task of teachers is not only to teach the pure subject matter, but also entails an educational mission. Teachers are often more than just teachers. They often act as arbitrators, mediators, problem solvers, companions, supporters and, in the best cases, as trustworthy reference persons for the students. These aspects of the teaching profession are difficult to perceive via digital channels.
The interaction with peers, which is so important for children and young people in their development, also comes up short in virtual classrooms. Real friendships, cohesion and group understanding in the classroom, as well as mutual consideration and support, can only be formed when students interact with each other in real life.