With the onslaught of pandemic, students struggle to be educated in the new setup. Thanks to digital tools and applications for making a bridge to fill the learning gaps.
Here are my top 3 useful apps for e-learning.
Google Drive
This app is the right platform to store all instructional files as it offers extra storage space in a convenient and simple way. It has a strong support that it only needs you to drag and drop as it automatically syncs your documents to the cloud. According to Romaniuk (2018), Google Drive is one of the most important apps for university students.
Canva
Canva is commonly used to create visuals. It trains the users to be "design-thinkers" which builds room for both learning and teaching. Students can produce portfolios, presentations, videos, charts and graphs, and collaborate with others in group projects.
WPS Office
One of the most widely used apps for both professionals and students is Word Processing System (WPS) Office. It includes essential components for creating spreadsheets, presentations, and papers. Learners may work efficiently and effortlessly with their instructors and classmates, complete tasks whenever and wherever they like, and save the file in a WPS Cloud. Although the majority of its unique features are only available to premium users, its standard features are already enough.
Challenges faced by Filipino Students in e-Learning
Even with the aid of these programs, students continued to face difficulties. According to Barrot, Llenares, and del Rosario (2021), the pandemic had a compounding negative impact on students' online learning experiences. Distractions at home, lack of resources to finish the courses, and challenges with study plans and learning environments are their biggest problems. According to Higley (2014), other difficulties for students include lack of motivation, poor course designs, and the digital divide, which is the difference between those who have access to digital tools and expertise and those who do not.
Solutions are divided into the roles of both instructor and student. It needs constant collaboration and open communication between them to solve existing learning gaps. Teachers must understand the situation to create a course design suited to any kind of learner while the latter will do its part by giving enough time to study (time management), ask questions for clarification, seek additional information, reflect with lessons and interact with other learners as well. In the end, it really takes two to tango!
References:
Asian Featured. (October 25, 2020). Tech challenges of online schooling in the Philippines during the pandemic. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/Y1QGwFLGSJ4
Barrot, J.S., Llenares, I.I. & del Rosario, L.S. (2021). Students’ online learning challenges during the pandemic and how they cope with them: The case of the Philippines. Educ Inf Technol 26, 7321–7338. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10589-x
Canva (n.d.). Why Canva is the Best Learning Tool for Education. Retrieved from https://www.canva.com/learn/10-ways-to-take-your-lessons-to-the-next-level-with-canva/
Higley, M. (March 14, 2014). e-Learning: Challenges and Solutions. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/amp/s/elearningindustry.com/e-learning-challenges-and-solutions/amp
Romaniuk, S. (April 14, 2018). 25 Important Apps And Digital Learning Tools For University Students. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/amp/s/elearningindustry.com/25-digital-learning-tools-apps-university-students/amp
WPS Academy. (n.d.) WPS Office for students. Retrieved from https://www.wps.com/academy/wps-office-for-students/office-news/1866083/
