There should be a balance for both offline and online classes: Zaid, MIT

These are first-hand student accounts on how our young population is managing to keep their exam prep or college course work going from the confines of their homes. In case you want to share your lockdown study experience, write to us at publish@shiksha.com.

Q. What are the major difference in the experience of attending an online class and a brick and mortar class? What do you find more enjoyable?

A. Yes, there has been a change in the prep schedule due to the current ongoing situation. The major difference between attending an online and a regular class which I felt is that during an online class people tend to learn better in terms of productivity since there are no environment restrictions and there is a good chance one could learn and experience different technologies. But, on the contrary, many people can misuse an online class by deliberately not paying attention and engaging in other activities. I find online classes more enjoyable as you can collaborate easily through a digital platform and there could be more practical exposure through an online class.

Online lectures can be more engaging and fruitful compared to a normal lecture in a class, like for example,  the load and tradition of copying notes could be diminished by engaging people in making presentations which could help them in their near future by actually working on or creating something innovative.

Q. Would you prefer to opt for online classes if given a choice? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each- online and offline?

A. If given a choice I would opt for an online class based on my experience listed above but if you are looking in the near future, I feel there should be a balance for both since an offline class offers more human interaction which cannot be ignored since, in the current digital world which has plenty of advantages, a slight disadvantage could be lesser. No human physical contact or interaction is not a good option on a permanent basis since it may hamper your brain because humans need physical interaction as it improves their mental health and ability to think collectively. On the contrary, an online class can offer much more productivity in terms of learning and gaining knowledge. It all depends on how creative and useful you make your online class be.

Q. How are you making the most of all the extra leisure time that you have now?

A. When the lockdown was announced I was confused about what exactly to do and how to utilize my time. The first thing which came to my mind was to construct a time table for different activities I could learn or perform which includes learning a new skill, a new language, etc. On the other hand, I started an unusual activity of networking with people who I think I had minimal communication. So I basically tried to build a new connection with different people, understanding their views on certain things and also sharing information and knowledge. I also developed some new habits like performing yoga and home exercise and fitness which kept me physically and mentally fit. Also, since I am planning to go abroad for my higher education I started performing household chores and learning how to cook basic food. This will basically help me in my future endeavors and making me become independent.

About the Author:

Zaid Memom, an experienced Tech and Non-Tech content creator and freelancer with a demonstrated history of working with the education industry. He is skilled in Java, Python, Android, Event Management, Research and Analytics. A strong education professional with a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from MIT College of Engineering, Pune.