Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Lessons from the Perspectives of

4.1.2. Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Lessons from the Perspectives of

No interruption during the lesson 4 I was bothered by the interruption of the lesson for trivial things and because of that; our lessons were always getting longer in face-to-face learning. Since these people were not active in online lessons, I found the lessons more effective. (S10)

Effective usage of the materials and tools

3 Both teachers and students could share their screens. We could share our writings or homework on the screen and the teacher could detect our mistakes at that moment while others can benefit from it, too. (S5)

Reaching teachers easily 3 Normally we keep track of the office hours of the teachers and send mails one day in advance. During online lessons, our teachers wrote us back immediately to help us in this online teaching process.

Things were going faster about getting information. (S1)

Safer in pandemics 3 I have asthma and it is not safe for me to go out when there is pandemic. Online education was very advantageous for me, at least I didn’t put myself at risk. (S4) Financially better for students 2 You are at home and you do not have to

spend as much money as you spend at school for food or rental fees. It is a considerable advantage. (S7)

Self-improvement in technology 2 We made the best of technology and I have learned all the useful software programs and how to write mails. (S4) Focusing on the most important

points during the lessons

2 When the time is long, teachers explain things slowly and students are more distracted. Since there was a limited time, teachers were focusing on the important points and this was more effective for us.

(S1)

Easier assessment 2 It is a fact that our exams were easier, they asked whatever they were able to teach in the online classes. I think this was an advantage. (S4)

Being more self-confident 2 I care about what other people think about me. In online lessons, I felt more comfortable; I turned the camera off and responded when the teacher asked a question while no one was seeing me.

(S1)

Detailed written feedback 1 We uploaded our writing assignments on Google Classroom, the teachers gave feedback by correcting the mistakes and writing their comments, this situation was more superficial in face-to-face lessons.

(S3)

Being relaxed at home 1 Some students may be tired or sleepy, they can be more comfortable at home.

(S5)

Teachers- being more prepared 1 Some teachers were more prepared.

There was a time limitation, which was

bad, so they were getting prepared more to convey what they wanted. (S1)

As it is clear with the sample excerpts in Table 6, in respect to the advantageous sides of online education, 7 students which are more than half of the students mentioned saving of time especially out of the lessons, half of the students talked about the advantage of recording the lessons and not having locational limitations. 4 students touched upon the importance of not having interruptions during the lessons. 3 students pointed out that usage of some tools and materials may be more effective in online lessons, 3 students said the contact between teachers and students are faster during online education process. The fact that online education was the safest way was mentioned by 3 students. Economic advantages of online lessons from the point of students were emphasized by 2 students. 2 students stated that they had opportunity to develop themselves in the field of technological tools and programs in online teaching process. 2 students highlighted that their exams were easier with online education since their teachers asked what they taught with more limited opportunities. In the matter of self-confidence, 2 students stated that they asserted themselves better during distance education. Even the other three codes were referred by 3 different students one by one, it was considered remarkable to include them in the findings since it is a qualitative study and what was said is more important than the quantity. One of the students claimed that they got feedback that was more detailed for their homework. One student said that being in a more relaxed situation is something favorable in online lessons.

Finally, one student argued that teachers were more prepared for online lessons and it was favorable.

Table 7 shows the main themes gathered from the student interviews on the

disadvantageous aspects of online education. Technology-related problems arising from the internet, equipment and software programs were mentioned by all of the students. 6 students claimed that not all students had the same opportunities and in online education this caused some discrepancies between the students to get the same education. The matter of not being able to ask questions easily was mentioned by 6 students, they argued that asking questions was not

something to endeavor in face-to-face education in comparison with online education. 6 students stated that they had some time-related problems both in the lessons and out of the lessons after they started online education. Student-student and teacher-student interaction difficulties and

interruptions during online lessons were touched upon by 6 other students. Getting distracted easily because of being less disciplined at home were mentioned by 6 students as well. It is noticeable that we had a similar code in Table 6 which shows the advantages of online lessons as being relaxed. Here, this subject was addressed from a different aspect. Half of the students claimed that they confronted some problems in getting response and feedback from their teachers and they mostly stated that they got their feedback or response late rather than getting no

feedback at all. In the online lesson process, having less or no social environment was reported by half of the students, too. 3 students talked about the psychological side of online education by talking about some psychology-related problems such as anxiety and sleep disturbances brought about by distance education. The last but not the least, ineffective usage of some materials was put on the table during this process. The sample excerpts can be examined in Table 7.

Table 7

Main disadvantages of online lessons according to the students

Codes N Sample Excerpts

Technical problems 10 There were some internet problems due to various issues and technical problems in the equipment of the teachers and students or independently of them, the software that is being used. (S5)

Inequality of opportunity 6 I have just bought my laptop, it was hard to deal with everything with a mobile phone, and the screen was too small for the lessons. If someone has a laptop, this person is luckier in online education.

(S2)

Not feeling free to ask questions 6 I could not ask the teacher my questions or to check my work easily when there were many people who were waiting for it. Even the teacher chose the people who would answer. If we were at school, I could ask it at least in the break time. (S1)

Having time-related problems 6 The lessons were speedy and some important parts were skipped because we had a limited time. (S7) Interaction problems during

lessons

7 Some people interrupt while talking about something, some people write on the chat at the same time. The teacher cannot manage this situation as in normal classroom environment. (S1)

Distractions at home 6 Being too relaxed is a problem, for example, you wear your home outfits and it makes it hard to concentrate on the things. I can be distracted easily.

For example, if I am hungry, I turn the camera off and eat something. (S3)

Problems in getting feedback / response

5 I sent a mail to my teacher and received a response after my problem was solved. In online education, teachers should pay attention to this. (S8)

Less social environment 5 If you ask me, the most severe handicap is not to be social. You are not on the campus, you are not with your friends. These factors decrease sociability.

(S7)

Feeling mentally overwhelmed 3 I even suffered from some sleep problems in this process. I was always worried about the exam, asking myself if I could pass the exam after online education. (S8)

Ineffective usage of the materials

3 I am a person who likes using pen and paper, so it was so hard for me to read without underlining.

(S4)