10 Ideas to Enhance Online Learning for Primary and Higher Education in Developing Countries

As the COVID-19 virus continues to spread globally, schools and universities worldwide have turned to online learning in an attempt to slow the spread of the disease. According to the latest United Nations report, 1.6 billion students have been affected in one way or another in 190 countries across continents. There is no timetable insight to return to normal, let alone what the new normal will look like.

Through experience in traditional university teaching and via the Internet, here are ten ideas that will help enhance and succeed in online learning for universities and K-12 schools, particularly during abnormal conditions such as COVID-19.

Planning, Investment, and Preparation

1- Planning, Planning and more Planning

Educational technologists point out that few K-12 schools and colleges have integrated digital education, technical, academic, and training requirements into their practices. Thanks to prior planning and anticipation of international trends, these institutions are considered ahead of others and were less affected by the pandemic. On the other side, many schools and universities did not include digital education transformation and associated infrastructure in their practices. The exposure was so severe that some private institutions may close their doors soon.

2- Real Investment Not Window Dressing

Evidence and research show little to no investment to enable online learning by many schools, universities, and even governments in developing countries. Studies show that lack of investment may be attributed to a lack of understanding of global education trends. Investments in educational technology are frequently limited to smart electronic whiteboards in the classroom, tablets to review textbooks, and knowledge contents. Investments in online education should include an appropriate learning management system, 2D/3D instructional design tools for a better interactive experience, teacher and lecturer training, student training, and technical support by competent staff.

3- Ensuring Digital Equality

The availability of digital and computer devices and Internet service is considered the biggest challenge facing online education in developing countries, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis. Authorities and governments should consult teachers, professors, students, and their families in advance to find out about their digital needs. Effective consultations will enable better planning and development of appropriate content for the digital environment. Many education researchers point out that most families do not have one computer per person, and parents may work from home, which means that many people may compete for one or two computers. Therefore, educators must consider the cognitive content suitability with applications and visibility through mobile phones or tablets as an alternative plan. For professors or students who do not have a Wi-Fi network at home, school districts or authorities must buy or rent portable Wi-Fi communication devices and then develop a plan to distribute them impartially as needed.

4- Clear Expectations for All

Specialists in the online learning environment advise that communication channels and actual communication be frequent, clear, concise, and brief between administrators, teachers, parents, and students. The administrators and teaching staff should prepare frequently asked questions (FAQ) documents that specify all the teaching process details. Documents include teaching plans, evaluation, homework, and grading scheme. It is critical to publish this information to parents on the institution’s website and making them available on social media sites. It is highly recommended to present these expectations via video clips recorded by administrators and teachers.

5- Prepare a systematic step-by-step guide on how to access and use online learning tools and curriculum. Research and practice show that it is essential to use different methods to present this information, including videos, texts, and modern tools like Screen Casting. Clear instructions will ensure that all students, especially young children, know how to log in to applications.

The Practical Application

6- Establish an exact daily schedule to log in for teachers and students to classes and lectures. Take into account avoiding teachers and students, especially young ones, spending a long time in front of the screens of digital devices of all kinds. Teachers and administrators should bear in mind that some families might share one device during schedule development. Some teachers divided the attendance hours into two periods, morning and evening or afternoon, to enable parents to organize their children’s study schedule.

7- Some schools went to reorganize the daily schedule by distributing classes for one day over two days instead. Students attend three lessons in the morning and spend the afternoon working independently and interacting with teachers during “office hours.” The next day, they follow the rest of their classes online in the morning and then have hours with teachers in the afternoon.

8- An appropriate and Effective Content for Online Education

It is very tempting for teachers to upload PowerPoint presentations, worksheets, and writing activities for students to complete and re-upload them for grading. Online learning must be interactive and engaging, just like face-to-face, if not more. Otherwise, students will suffer from dullness and boredom. Teachers must consider that parents may be at work or working from home and are unable to help. It is crucial to design educational content that does not require much support from parents.

Selecting Appropriate Tools

9- A range of technical tools, applications, and programs is available, and many are free. It may be tempting to use all the tools, but it should be remembered that every application needs a time of learning, so I recommend adhering to one application.  Using a consistent program contributes to reducing confusion to students and parents.

Professors from Arizona State University have suggested using different colors on the screen to help students distinguish and identify essential ideas. Minimize online instructions and keep them short, simple, and straightforward. The use of previously recorded video clips has also proven to be very useful in place of written texts in online communication.

Continuous Evaluation

10- Monitoring students’ performance continuously, and early intervention yields positive results. This can be done using appropriate communication tools for online learning. Teachers must be open to modifying study plans to raise classes’ effectiveness, determine gaps, and develop corrective measures early.