From noisy classrooms and chalk-filled blackboards to phone screens and video calls, students have seen both offline and online learning.
Let’s find out in simple words.
What Does “Online Learning” Mean?
Online learning refers to remote studying from home with the use of a mobile phone, tablet, or computer. With most schools closed in Maharashtra during the COVID-19 lockdown, teachers and students found the following apps useful:
Some tools used for online classes:
- Zoom or some times Google Meet for live video classes
- WhatsApp to send notes or homework
- YouTube for educational videos
- Google Classroom to submit work
What Does “Offline Learning” Mean?
Offline learning refers to going to school or college, sitting in a classroom, and learning face-to-face with teachers and friends.
Students use:
- Blackboards and chalk
- Textbooks and notebooks
- Project work and activities
- Group discussions and in-person help
Why Did Online Learning Start?
Online learning really became the thing during the lockdown due to the spread of the pandemic coronavirus. Schools were off, but the show of learning had to go on, so teachers and students started connecting from home through their phones and laptops.
What Students in Maharashtra Like About Online Learning
A lot of students in Maharashtra, particularly in cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur, liked some parts of online learning.
Benefits of Online Classes:
- No travel: You could study or take classes from your home.
- Flexible timing: You could watch recorded classes anytime.
- Use of videos and images: Made topics fun and easy
- Self-paced: You could take time to understand difficult topics.
Real Student Thought:
“I liked watching science videos on YouTube. They helped me understand better than just reading from the book.” – Riya, Class 8, Pune
What Students Don’t Like About Online Learning
But online learning was not perfect. Many students, especially from small towns and villages in Maharashtra, faced problems.
Common Issues:
- Poor internet: In many rural areas, the network was slow or not available.
- Shared phones: Some students had to wait for their parent’s phone to attend class.
- No proper environment: Homes were noisy, and students got distracted.
- Health issues: Long screen time caused eye strain and headaches.
- Less interaction: Students missed talking to teachers and friends.
“Sometimes my internet stopped, and I missed half the class.” – Sagar, Class 9, Jalgaon
What Students Like About Offline Learning
Once schools restarted, many students were happy to go back to school and meet their friends.
What They Enjoy:
- Real classroom feeling
- Face-to-face teaching
- Group study and activities
- Sports, arts, and playgrounds
- Lunch breaks with friends
What Students Don’t Like About Offline Learning
Even offline learning has created a few problems for some students.
Challenges:
- Long travel time for students in remote areas
- Heavy bags full of books
- Strict timetable
- Less use of technology in many schools
- Pressure of exams and homework
“I liked that in online class, I could ask questions privately. In class, I feel shy sometimes.” – Mohammed, Class 10, Thane
What Do Most Students in Maharashtra Prefer?
After talking to many students and teachers, here’s what we’ve learned:
In Cities:
- Students like a blend of online and offline.
In Villages:
- They feel more supported in a real classroom.
The Best of Both: Blended Learning
Many schools in Maharashtra are now trying a mixed method—called blended learning. This means students go to school but also use online videos or apps to revise or practice.
Example of Blended Learning:
- Attend classes at school
- Watch a recorded video at home
- Do online quizzes
- Get extra help from teachers in person
What Do Teachers Think?
Many teachers say that offline is better for attention and discipline. But they also agree that online tools are great for showing videos, giving notes, and helping slow learners.
“I now use both chalk and screen in my teaching,” – Mrs. Deshpande, Teacher, Nashik
What Do Parents Think About Online and Offline Learning?
It’s not just students and teachers who have opinions — parents in Maharashtra have a lot to say too. They saw how their children behaved during both types of classes and helped them every step of the way.
What many parents liked about online learning:
- Their kids were safe at home during COVID.
- They could see what their children were learning, it reduces the stress.
- They saved time and money on school transport.
But they also had worries:
- Too much screen time.
- Children getting distracted or playing games during class.
- Lack of physical activity and social interaction.
- Difficult for working parents to monitor everything.
What Can Be Improved?
To make learning better for all students in Maharashtra:
For Online Learning:
- Improve internet in rural areas
- Give students devices like tablets
- Train teachers to use apps better
For Offline Learning:
- Make classrooms more fun
- Use more digital tools
Final Thoughts: What Really Matters
Every student learns in different ways. Some like to see videos, while some understand better when a teacher shows them on the board.
In the end, that’s all about understanding, support, and joy in learning. Whether online or offline, students from Maharashtra want to be heard, helped, and happy with their learning.
