Online language learning seems to have become the new gold rush under the Covid-19 pandemic. Recently published articles such as “Not All That Glitters is Gold” highlight once more that at the core of education lies the human relationship established between the teacher and the students. We are witnessing how in this gold rush many online platforms out there do glitter but few of them are gold.

Online learning is the present of education both in private and public sectors, and it is here to stay. It is no longer the use of technology in the classroom, it is the classroom that has become the digital environment enabling access to mastering or gaining command of a language in ways that were not possible before.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

Thomas Arnett´s report published by the Christensen Institute provides up-to-date insights into innovation for teaching and learning in primary and secondary education. The report points out the difference between classroom-based instruction which is a live experience, and that of distance instruction. The latter is divided in 4 categories: remote instruction, hybrid, synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Out of the four categories the last two have been the focus of the latest digital innovations to deliver classes that put students at the centre of learning: in small classes, where they receive support and feedback both from teachers and interactive automated activities, in online live sessions or offline in their own time.

DIGITAL SPACES SUPPORT BETTER STUDENT-CENTRED TEACHING & LEARNING

Student-centred learning has long been a primary goal among educators. Synchronous and asynchronous instruction have benefited from the steep adjustment to a sudden educational change under the pandemic and are now seen as the way ahead in language teaching.

Synchronous and asynchronous learning via an online platform or a VLE and teleconferencing are an effective combination of live class and online study. They break free from the inflexibility of schedules and spaces of traditional teaching.

Language teaching platforms that incorporate both synchronous and asynchronous instruction enable an important relationship with students that makes learning more individualised. Asynchronous tools provide not just independent study, they also facilitate the follow up and check in on students, particularly younger learners, proving to be an important way to keep in check mental health issues, challenging situations at home, accessibility and availability of resources, etc.

THE SECRET TO LEARNING PROGRESS: GOOD AND TIMELY FEEDBACK

Feedback has been identified as the most effective way to improve students' learning. This element can be further enhanced by using interactive tools in class.

Thus, digital spaces such as online platforms and VLEs enable teachers to use synchronous and asynchronous learning where it provides the most impact. Teaching is delivered in small groups where students can get more interaction with the teacher and their peers.

Asynchronous tools target individual learning in engaging students with a variety of learning activities such as the possibility to watch videos and audios in their own time, stopping and filling in information-gap questions, quizzes and tests that provide instant feedback. Forums and chats similar to WhatsApp enable peer communication and support and push important class reminders and notifications shared almost instantly.

QUALITY OF TEACHING AT THE HEART OF LEARNING

Quality of teaching is the motor that runs education. A year into the pandemic, research undertaken by Arran Hamilton and John Hattie on the use and impact of technology concludes that quality of teaching remains the single most important component to successful education, no matter what the context and no matter what the tools. But most certainly digital spaces that enable teachers to focus on the delivery of student-centred teaching, where they can check progress and provide support by giving better feedback are firm supporters of quality in teaching. These spaces are becoming the best choice for students who want to succeed in their learning. Some of them are gold, not glitter.