There has been a radical transformation in which higher education is being conducted using online methods, and this has provided the flexibility and accessibility of education to students who are located in remote locations. This has seen a high number of individuals attaining their degree that would otherwise not have been in a position to do so due to financial resources, locations, and living expenses.
But among the students who are the first in their families to undergo higher education, the issues introduced in the online classroom may tend to produce isolation, anxiety, and overwhelming feelings that are not easily talked about until the beginning of college life. These issues, coupled with the issues of studying online, can greatly affect the chances of a student achieving success in school. This blog will discuss the hidden struggles of first-generation college students in online learning.
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The Hidden Challenges of Online Learning Faced by First-Generation Students
Upon entering college, students bring with them both optimism and fear. Many first-generation college students come into the college environment with high hopes to achieve a degree, coupled with low confidence. Students often believe their having earned a college degree will be transformative for their family’s stories. Many first-generation college students often face the struggles of limited financial resources, work commitments and responsibilities, and limited access to reliable and quiet study spaces or technology.
The reality of being a college student and taking classes may amplify these issues further by making their online learning environment seem more like a maze rather than a “path” to success. Here are the hidden perils of online learning for college students:
Isolating and Lack of Communication
Many first-time students experience isolation as a common hardship when they go to college. In a traditional classroom, students can interact with their peers through informal conversations and have frequent, informal check-ins with their instructors and their peers in a shared physical environment that fosters feelings of connection and community. However, online education systems minimize informal opportunities to connect socially.
Many first-generation college students find online discussion platforms to be less human and more intimidating than the informal atmosphere of a traditional classroom. After a long day of work, if a student has caregiving responsibilities, the idea of participating in a live Zoom class or writing a quality post on a discussion board may seem more burdensome than engaging.
Navigating the Technical Complexities
The technical challenges associated with an online course are another major challenge for students in an online course. Many students are unaware of the process or have no previous exposure to the process. Their devices may not be adaptable to the software used by institutions to conduct classes and exams, and they may be forced to search, ‘Can I pay someone to take my online class?’ as a solution.
Further challenges of accessing a stable internet connection may arise, as well as any unpredictable power outages that can stand between students and their education. Many first-generation college students may feel more burdened due to their balancing work and family responsibilities as well.
The Social Aspects of Online Education
Although teamwork is an obligatory aspect of a number of courses, it can be rather awkward in the case of first-generation students who might not have a peer group that could empathize with them and comprehend their experiences and emotions. The specialized tasks include work in groups, peer reviews, and collaborative research, and all these tasks demand strong and relevant communication skills and self-confidence in terms of self-expression and opinion.
When students perceive themselves as “the only one” facing the same struggles, they may shy away from collaborating and therefore seek out solo assignments even though group projects would be beneficial. Consequently, this self-imposed isolation limits the development of these necessary soft skills, like communication, negotiation, and teamwork, to thrive once they enter the job market or if they pursue graduate school.
Online Gap in Advising and Mentoring
Advising and mentoring relationships typically offered on campus provide students with many benefits, including the transition from one’s course sequence, permitting students to transfer credits, finding and obtaining an internship, and developing a pathway toward graduate school. For the majority of first-generation students, the advantages of informal mentoring in a completely online environment may no longer exist, forcing students to gather advice from many different and disconnected sources.
Additionally, students who do not receive prompt feedback regarding written work or research planning may be more challenged since they are learning to adjust their academic expectations within an unfamiliar, possibly intimidating, academic culture.
Strategic Solution to Help Online Students Overcome the Struggle
There are several hidden struggles to online education, but there are also pathways for students to become resilient and successful. Creating structured onboarding experiences with an ongoing check-in structure will give the learner a clear path to navigate through these various struggles. Here are a few ways institutions and students can make online learning a bit easier and effective:
- Proactive and consistent check-in opportunities from their instructor or mentor give students a sense of connection and support.
- Students should also be provided access to technology resources through the use of computer lending programs, Wi-Fi-enabled off-campus areas, and responsive and culturally competent technical support, which can further support the experiences of all online students.
- Online advising, online tutoring, and mentoring networks that are personalized to first-generation students can be offered to fill in the gaps that exist in internet-based learning by academic and career advisors.
- Finding community and connection with the help of peer and alumni networks, such as forming study groups and mentor-mentee relationships, enables the student to avoid feeling isolated.
- Stigma-free provision of various mental health services (telehealth, online counseling, and stress management practices) can be beneficial to the well-being of online students.
- Students can take professional academic help for managing their time and stress better by just requesting these platforms to ‘take my exam for me’ or entrust their assignments to them when they have too much on their plate to deal with.
- Providing clear information about scholarships, emergency funds, and savings strategies may help to alleviate financial concerns and keep online students focused on their studies.
Conclusion
Online learning programs are being rapidly adopted by many institutions, and several students around the globe find them an easier and more affordable option. However, there are a few struggles and hidden challenges faced mainly by first-generation college students. Acquiring your graduate degree is not an easy task, and it is more complex when done online. Through understanding these struggles and applying effective solutions to them by both institutions and the students themselves, online education can be a really flexible and accessible option for working students.