Online education and e-learning modules can be imparted through various instructional modalities. If a course is available in several modalities, students can choose whichever methodology suits them the best.

1. Classroom Teaching

In this method, the teaching occurs in a classroom, where in-person interaction between the students and the instructors is held. In addition, the use of technology enhances teaching.

2. Online Teaching

The entire teaching process occurs online in this modality and is imparted using various technologies.

3. Hybrid

This is a blend of the classroom teaching method and online teaching. Students have the flexibility to choose either option. Sometimes, they may even have the option of choosing both.

Support Services

Some support services are essential for the successful digital transformation of the educational landscape.

1. Technology Support Staff

Additional technology support staff members must be hired whenever an institution updates its educational technologies. The increase in online education has made 24/7 technology support for students and instructors mandatory.

2. Instructional Designers

Every education technology company needs to hire instructional designers to support the instructors in effectively implementing e-learning modules.

3. Student Support Services

Students need dedicated academic support to access online libraries and other resources. They also need support for registration, course advice, and consultations.

Instructor Development

Teachers and instructors must undergo regular training and development to keep up with the changing educational landscape.

When instructors had to quickly move to online teaching from classroom teaching during the pandemic, many didn’t have adequate training to make a smooth transition.

Providing adequate training opportunities and resources to the faculty is essential to help them improve their technological skills.

1. Learner Development

Students and learners across age groups and social classes have had to quickly adapt to the rapidly changing world of education in the past few years since the pandemic hit.

While contemporary learners have access to opportunities and resources that were inconceivable just a few years ago, they also face various challenges in a highly digitized world.

Learners should ideally be trained in basic technology and life skills, including computer and internet skills, self-discipline, time management, teamwork and collaboration, stress management, self-motivation, community building, etc. It is also important to provide students with adequate mental health support.

2. Organizational Policies

More organizational policies must be developed and implemented to support online teaching and e-learning modules.

Responsibilities of teachers, teaching load, enrolment criteria for students, evaluation criteria, and many other factors must be considered while formulating new organizational policies.

Organizations should also examine the funding models for different instructional modalities. Another important issue to be considered is the inequalities in students’ ability to access technological resources.