Top Benefits of Online Learning

New research reveals that most secondary school parents (74%*) think that digital learning provided by teachers and the government needs to be improved. The parents of one in three children thought that teachers didn’t make lessons exciting enough and one in four said their children couldn’t hear their teacher or classmates properly.

Understandably, schools were not prepared for online learning when the pandemic hit. But new technology is now enabling teachers to engage better online. As e-learning could be the future of education, we have asked 10 UK experts to share their insights:

Personalised learning – James Hamlin, CMO at Tutorful, experts in online learning
Parents can find the perfect tutor for their child from anywhere in the UK. The pandemic has made us increasingly aware that we all learn in different ways. Online lessons can be tailored to a child’s specific learning needs and can focus on the right areas to help the individual child.

Subjects can be made engaging – Dr Ems Lord, Director of NRICH

Online learning, particularly for maths, can be very engaging and it is a good way to increase parental engagement. It also enables learners to access a wider range of educators, role models and activities from across the world.

More accessible – Dr Amanda Gummer, CEO of The Good Play Guide
Online school provides a method of learning that some children may find more accessible than classroom-based learning, such as children with autism who don’t engage in social learning activities. Plus, it can be taken at a child’s own pace and repeated where necessary.

No geographic barrier – Rob Jennings, Co-Founder of The Dyscalcuilia Network
With online learning you can reach those pupils in far-flung places who need specialist support. The provision of specialist support is not evenly distributed geographically, so online allows access to the most experienced specialist educators from around the country.
Gain a sense of responsibility – Sophie Simpson, Director of Operations at Conscious Youth
Studying online helps children gain a sense of responsibility. It requires self-motivation and time-management skills as they will spend a lot of time on their own without someone physically close to keep them focused on deadlines.

Less distractions – Dr Rachael Kent, Consultant at Dr. Digital Health
If children have their camera off, they can focus on the content without being distracted or anxious about having to interact with others. This can help students, particularly those who lack confidence around their peers or struggle with expressing themselves in person. Screens provide a proactive shield of safety for some.
Flexibility – Clare Evans, Time Management and Productivity Coach
Online learning can be done at a time that suits the student. Working within a structure and framework, students can schedule their learning at a time that works best for them, without the rigid timetable of a classroom schedule. Some will work better or prefer to learn certain topics at different times of a day.

Immediate feedback – Leon Hady, Founder of GuidePlus
With online learning, the ability to have immediate feedback is now easier than ever before. Whether it’s written, through voice notes or video, learners can gain quick, specific feedback and can have additional 1:1 sessions with their teacher or tutor to support or deepen their learning.

Continuity – Cheryl Smith, Head Teacher of St Andrews’s College
Even when the world stopped because of the pandemic, children continued to learn. Online learning can suit children who have specialist needs and conditions which make classroom learning too stressful. This includes children with anxiety or experiences of bullying leading to self-isolation and school refusal.

Helps foster relationships with classmates – Ray Sadoun, Mental Health Specialist at OKRehab
Online learning can help children to get to know more people in their class with the use of breakout rooms.