Personal connection is key to academic success

“It is crucial that one looks at not only the registration and accreditation status of an institution, but also investigate its ability to provide the highest quality of academic excellence,” says Colin Northmore, principal at Evolve Online School, a brand of ADvTECH.

Northmore says once the credentials and logistical ability of an institution to deliver quality education have been established, there is one non-negotiable consideration that must be taken into account.

“A recent survey by The Independent Institute of Education has confirmed that the key element to successful learning during the lockdown, was the ability of an institution to keep learners connected, engaged and motivated,” he says.

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Northmore says many online or distance learning providers merely provide a paper-behind-glass style curriculum, which makes it extremely difficult for learners, especially young ones, to get deeply involved in and excited about their learning journey.

“As many parents experienced during the lockdown, some schools made the mistake of trying to run a synchronous timetable by trying to follow the same schedule they would have if the learners had been attending live lessons. Proper online schooling does not work this way, which is why parents must carefully evaluate their options.”

Being an online learner is like home-schooling with one significant difference, he says. “Online learners following excellent programmes will gradually become more and more capable of learning without any adult assistance at home. It is a feature of an excellent online school that we provide a process for children to learn the skills they need to be independent learners,” he says.

“This process includes self-pacing, time management and the ability to schedule their day. It also includes teaching children to work collaboratively with peers in remote locations. No parent should choose online learning for their children without expecting the learning process to be different.”

Northmore says a good online school that focuses on the holistic development of children must have a strong focus on foundational, social and emotional learning skills, and sufficient personal attention and interaction with educators, mentors and coaches.

Elbie Liebenberg, MD of MindSharp, a premium dynamic digital learning platform aimed at upskilling individuals and corporate teams, agrees regarding the importance of human engagement and support as part of the online learning journey.

“Online learning is much harder and motivation is impacted when the learner is left to their own devices, only to submit the occasional assignment to a generic email address,” she says. “For online learning to be successful and enjoyable, the human touch, engagement, feedback and support are very important factors.”

Liebenberg says there are a host of professional development platforms online which are similar in terms of their offering, so prospective learners must seek out those programmes where they don’t simply receive modules that they have to wade through on their own, which increases the likelihood of bailing out before the successful completion of a programme due to feelings of boredom and isolation.

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“If you want to make a success of your career and build upon your existing skills, you need to dive into your further learning. This is most successfully facilitated if an institution provides personal support throughout the study journey as opposed to only automated feedback.

“Prospective learners must also enquire about the efficiency of the technology and the logistics of an offering, as well as whether they will have access to qualified tutors to step in and assist them should the need arise.”

Northmore says although there are many new players in the market following the unprecedented, mandated turn to online learning last year, all programmes are not created equally and could prove a disappointing experience for those parents and learners who opt for this approach if they do not do their homework carefully.

“Online learning can be a great option for many for a host of reasons, including safety concerns, the personality of the learner, the personal choice of parents, and geographical considerations. However, a good institution must take a holistic approach to the child’s academic and personal development, to ensure a successful and fulfilling academic journey.”

Contact the newsroom by emailing:

Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za,  or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.