Over the past two years, the rapid rise of online learning has been widely discussed and debated. From early years providers in the UK to universities in Europe, Asia, and the United States of America, digital technology is transforming how we learn and teach at all levels.

In 2020, education institutions across the world were forced to shift to online learning or some form of hybrid (blended) learning, posing unique challenges for both students and instructors. From unreliable internet connections with poor signal, affecting how well we could hear each other, to that particular question of students’ attention span.

Does ‘video off, mic muted, and lunch in progress’ sound familiar to anyone? (No judgement here).

While many have argued that this digital disruption will have negative consequences for students and teachers alike, there are also opportunities that come with this change. There are many potential benefits, but there are also valid fears of the risks. As an education provider with a subsidiary literally called ‘Blended’, we understand the challenges of virtual learning but believe that the benefits ultimately outweigh the risks.

The shift to online learning was a new, challenging experience for both students and teachers

For students, it was difficult to adapt to new modes of learning or engage in class without the physical connection we had become accustomed to. For instructors, it was a strange new world where you couldn’t figure out how to check that students were actually learning something!

Imagine countries where lockdown measures eased early enough, allowing students and instructors to get back into the classroom on a hybrid learning arrangement. Both teachers and learners probably expressed sighs of relief because they no longer had to worry about those awful technical issues.

There is definitely something wonderful about being able to engage in intellectual debate face-to-face, observing emphatic gestures as people express their viewpoints. But what about non-traditional learners, learners with disabilities, and those in other parts of the world who simply have no other choice but to study online?

How do we make virtual learning work for them?

In emerging markets, virtual learning has benefits that go well beyond overcoming disruption

Online, blended, and hybrid learning are not new phenomena. They have certainly gained in popularity since 2020, but world-renowned business schools which offer ‘Global’ MBA programmes have had to find a way to make learning work for their internationally-based students. In fact, in the US, there is an institution that offers online degrees up to doctorate level. In England, there is a London university that delivers programmes in the evenings to ensure that students can learn around their work or personal life commitments.

So, why don’t we have more institutions targeting prospective students across Africa, South Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, who aspire to upskill and improve their employment opportunities at a fair price with minimal disruption to their lives?

One of the biggest challenges facing students in emerging markets is the lack of access to quality learning resources

Virtual learning may not be a perfect solution, but it offers many benefits to students who otherwise could not afford it or access the best teachers and courses from anywhere in the world.

It’s a step in the right direction, but we can do more.

Education should be available to everyone. We’ve got to go beyond just providing access to knowledge and training; we need to give students the opportunity to learn at their own pace, at any time of day or night, and from anywhere in the world — without having to worry about getting up early enough before work starts so that they can make it home on time to do other things.

Online learning opens up new possibilities for how people learn best by allowing them some freedom of choice when deciding where they want their courses delivered — whether it’s a traditional university setting with lectures held on campus or through video recordings made available online.

Of course, many people are sceptical about how effective virtual learning can be compared with traditional classroom learning methods. But there’s no denying that technology is changing how we learn, so why not use it to our advantage?

With virtual learning, there are no geographic barriers to accessing education

Virtual (or hybrid) learning makes it possible for students who live in remote areas, or have other barriers preventing them from accessing high-quality education, to gain access to international-standard resources and instructors from world-renowned universities, regardless of where they live, how much they earn, and what their circumstances may be.

Our mission is directly linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 — which is to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.

In a world where many people across all age groups still lack access to traditional education, virtual learning could address access issues by enabling them to pursue their studies in a way that works for them.

Students can organise learning around their work, caring responsibilities, and life ‘admin’. Teachers can reach far more students with arguably less effort than would be required in a traditional classroom setting. As digital tools and platforms become more sophisticated, learning materials and resources can be stored in the cloud and accessed on-demand and in a structured way with reasonable penalties for missed deadlines.

It is not a perfect model, and we acknowledge the difficulty of completing studies without the structure of a traditional class setting which creates discipline. But for those with the right mix of willingness, access to broadband connectivity, and opportunity (which could be based on cost, time, or delivery mode), we should celebrate the benefits of virtual and blended learning while actively working to address the challenges.

The past two years have seen remarkable adaptability from teachers, students, and parents/guardians/carers worldwide. And this is a positive thing.

Virtual learning offers flexibility, accessibility, affordability, and choice that can accelerate professional and personal development for many learners in emerging economies. However, there is still a long way to go before it becomes a viable option for everyone.

At Awa Business School, after obtaining government accreditation in 2020, we began delivering our certificate courses in April 2022, starting with six students in total (with only three students completing the assessments, making them eligible for the verified certificate). It was a small win, but a win nonetheless. We ramped up our student and tutor recruitment activities throughout the summer and are now delivering five courses this autumn.

Our current cohort is made up of a diverse group of students including self-taught entrepreneurs from rural parts of Nigeria and experienced, university-educated professionals in Malawi and South America. Each student has a different background and story, but the one thing they all share is a strong desire to upskill and take small steps to get closer to their vision of who they can be, with the right support and resources in place.

About Awa Business School (ABS)

Awa Business School helps young people and working adults to accelerate their careers and gain relevant skills to enhance their employability at any stage, from anywhere in the world. We are building Blended by ABS, an EdTech platform for students to sign up to learn, complete their assessments, and gain the globally-recognised qualification which they can build up to a Diploma to gain access to final year degree programmes in the UK.

Awa Business School is actively working to meet targets 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5 of SDG 4 (Quality Education).