The 5 Subjects Best Adapted To Online Learning

Online learning is not a new phenomenon, but since 2020, it has taken over due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. When online learning was first introduced in 1984 at the University of Toronto, it was nothing more than students learning at computer terminals. Fast-forward to today, and online learning has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry that incorporates much more than just reading and taking tests.

There are several different types of online learning, all of which can be used for various subjects. The most notable ones are video-based learning, self-paced learning, app-based learning, and lesson-based learning. All of these styles have taken center stage of late, and students and educators alike know that there are challenges involved in teaching some subjects through online methods. But what subjects are best adapted to online learning, and what leads to students struggling with this new type of education?

Why are students struggling with online learning?
Online or distance learning can be difficult to adjust to, especially for students who have only learned in a traditional classroom setting. While many students (mainly older learners) were somewhat equipped to switch to an online-only platform during the pandemic, younger learners were left to learn how to navigate a new type of educational platform from scratch.

There are several reasons why students struggle with the new onset of online learning. They include:

• Changes in life circumstances – The pandemic has caused changes in many children’s and adults’ lives, and one of those could have to do with their home situations. Many families have had to deal with job loss, financial worries, illness, and general instability. In some cases, students who are now required to learn online may not have access to the internet or an appropriate device, which makes it impossible to participate in online learning.
• Stress and trauma – Stress can be hard to cope with, especially for young children. Elevated levels of stress can also delay a child’s development, which hinders their ability to succeed in their schooling. These emotional challenges make learning difficult.
• Inaccessibility – Getting the proper materials for learning makes a huge difference, and some students just don’t have the same accessibility as others. Having to learn how to use a new program or platform at the same time as learning a new subject puts a strain on their academic performance.
• Learning is benefited by structure and support – There’s a reason traditional schooling hasn’t changed that much since it began, and that’s because it works. The structure and support that is offered at school often can’t be matched by online learning.
• The engagement isn’t there – In a classroom, a teacher can gauge student engagement simply by glancing around the classroom. That becomes much more difficult through a screen. Distractions are also easier to fall victim if a student is not engaged in the content.

These are just a few examples of how difficult it can be transition into online learning from a traditional style of education. On the other hand, however, many students have adapted to online studies quite well.

How do students adapt to online learning?
The technology that is available today is vast, and that makes it easier for students to grasp new online learning platforms much more easily. Even younger children have become well-versed with various aspects of technology because of the societal push towards everything tech. There are various online tools that can help students stay organized and on top of their studies, such as calendars to track their assignments and group chat videos to enable them to work with their classmates and peers even while outside of the classroom.

What are the best subjects to learn online?
While almost any course can be transferred to an online platform, some may fare better than others when it comes to student engagement and success. The subjects that have been proven to be the best to learn online include:

1. Math – Math is one of those subjects that can be easily done online because of the tools and apps that can be used to teach it. Gamification is one part of online learning that can be a great tool in math classes. 
2. Language – Another subject that works best online is language. There are various ways an educator can present the subject matter online that can allow students to stay engaged. Gamification, or the use of games to help further a child’s educational grasp, can also be beneficial when it comes to language learning classes.
3. Physical education – PE courses may not seem to be best suited for an online platform, but they can be easily translated! Group fitness courses and activities can be taught using video sessions, and content such as physical instruction videos can be made accessible to students.
4. Art – Art isn’t a subject that all students partake in, but for those who do, it can be adapted to the online platform flawlessly. Techniques in a variety of types of art can be taught easily via video chat and most types of materials can be accessible to students outside of an art class.
5. History/Social studies – Subjects that are heavy in written material and do not require much physical or verbal engagement, such as history or social studies, are great in an online environment because of how easy it is to transfer information through virtual learning.

Do students do better in online courses?
While it’s true that some students do better in traditional-style classrooms, others may benefit from distance learning. This is because each student has their own unique way of learning, and there are different learning styles that can sometimes be left out when it comes to in-classroom teaching. The important thing to remember about online learning is that it can come with a period of adjustment, and while some students may struggle at first, others will flourish.

 

Featured image by Robo Wunderkind on Unsplash