Technology has revolutionized every aspect of our lives, including education. Now that the internet is accessible in the most remote areas of the world, awareness and communication have improved significantly. The trend of homeschooling and distance learning has increased ever since the internet became a basic facility in the average household.

Life without internet is unimaginable, and it was literally a lifeline during the COVID-19 lockdown. I cannot imagine what my family and I would do without our AT&T internet. From online classes for the kids to infinite movie nights and various TV channels that kept us sane – AT&T Bundle was our only hope for survival. Now that everything is back to normal, the internet is still an important part of our lives.

Getting back to the topic, there’s no doubt that the internet has done wonders for education, but at what cost? The freedom and overload of information on the internet does not always bode well for anyone, especially children. Now let’s dive into the positives and negatives of the internet with respect to education:

Positives

1. Unlimited Information

The internet is inexhaustible within a lifetime, which makes it bigger than any physical library. With the internet, every kind of knowledge is at your fingertips; thus, you don’t have to travel anywhere or sort through a huge collection of books or notes to find the answer to a certain question.

The best part is that you can access multiple resources discussing the same subject, which equips you with greater details and understanding. Research for school assignments and projects was never so simple and efficient before the internet.

2. Ease of Access

I cannot stress enough how convenient learning has become following the invention of the internet. You can acquire a degree, master a skill, and explore unlimited literature from the comfort of your couch. For example, if you live in a remote region where public transport or decent educational institutions don’t exist, you can easily opt for online classes from a credible organization.

You or your children don’t have to spend hours at a public library to look for specific information when everything can be located over online platforms within seconds. You don’t have to worry about not finding a particular book or buying a hardcover copy – this saves so much time, money/resources, and energy!

3. International Collaboration

Many prestigious universities are offering affordable online courses for international students nowadays. As a result, many students can study subjects that are not being offered in their local colleges. They can obtain an exclusive and valuable degree without traveling thousands of miles away from home.

Most online educational programs consist of a diverse group of students, which promotes international collaboration and exposure. Students get to learn about different cultures, defy stereotypes, gain useful connections, and build lasting relationships.

4. Personalized and Flexible Learning

Some children need special attention and a lot of students require one-on-one sessions with their mentor. Online education has made it a lot more feasible to arrange for private and personalized coaching.

Kids who cannot do regular school due to a medical condition can be tutored through various video conferencing applications online. Most of the time, there’s the option to choose a time of the day that suits you best; hence, you can take online classes at your convenience.

Negatives

1. Misleading Information

The internet is a limitless reserve of information, though not all of this information is correct or reliable. Anyone can share info online, so don’t be surprised if you come across contradicting data on a particular topic on different sites.

Sometimes, it’s hard to distinguish wrong from right, and you may mess up your grade if you’re not thorough with research. Children using the Internet for homework or assignments may submit inaccurate information, which can affect their grades.

2. Impedes Interpersonal Skills

Leaving your house and learning in a tangible environment has many advantages. Face-to-face communication with peers boosts confidence and helps develop social skills. On the other hand, taking a class from home can be isolating and distracting.

Many students easily lose focus during online classes and struggle with grasping concepts due to somewhat limited interaction. Remote education can make a child lazy and anti-social, which is bad for their mental and physical health as well as their overall growth.

3. Overdependence on Technology

We’re already so addicted to technology, and using it for educational purposes further increases our screen time. At some point, it will feel like we are not capable of achieving anything without the internet and our gadgets.

Children accustomed to online classes from the beginning will miss out on many real-life experiences. It makes me wonder if they will ever learn to write if they never have to use a pencil or pen. Moreover, AI applications like ChatGPT might hinder the development of creativity and self-sufficiency in children.

Conclusion

If you think about it, the impact of the internet on education is mostly positive. It all comes down to how you utilize the internet for learning. Kids are better off learning at physical schools, but online classes are a great alternative under unusual circumstances.