Education is believed to be one of the most important aspects of our life.

With

education, we can learn new things, develop knowledge,gain experiences and

achieve success but because of the pandemic our way of learning has changed for

the safety of the students and teachers. 

All of us have a preferred mode of study, Some of us want to study in a classroom

based, some of us prefer to study in distance learning. Due to our situation

distance learning is quite normal these days.

Distance learning, also called distance education, e-learning, and online learning,

is a form of education in which the main elements include physical separation of

teachers and students during instruction and the use of various technologies to

facilitate student-teacher and student-student communication. Distance learning

traditionally has focused on nontraditional students, such as full-time workers,

military personnel, and nonresidents or individuals in remote regions who are

unable to attend classroom lectures but because of our current situation distance

learning has become an alternative way for students to still study. Distance

learning has a lot of advantages but there are also many disadvantages and one of

them is the social interaction of the students unlike in a face to face class where

social interaction is engineered to occur, online study can be less spontaneous

because many students are shy to answer or recite because they are not used to

this type of study. Because of the rapid transition from face-to-face class to

homeschooling many fear that the online format risks losing the sort of social

engagement which is so essential to a positive learning experience. Distance

learning had a big effect on the social interaction of students and teachers
because in  face to face class when there is a problem with a student it can be

immediately told directly and can be easily reminded  but now in distance

learning  it is more difficult to talk to students and only through online learning

apps and email you can communicate with.

To sum it up, the researchers aim to know the effects of distance learning on the

social interaction of the students. And help the students to and help students

cope with distance learning even when it is difficult to socialize.Social interaction

is very important because it allows students to share their ideas on various

subjects with each other.The researchers conducted this study to recognize what

is distance learning because before pandemic distance learning is unpopular only

few learners are studying at home.

                                           Advantages of Distance Learning

 Online learning offers teachers an efficient way to deliver lessons to students.

And another advantage of distance learning is that it allows students to attend

classes from any location of their choice. Online learning is cheaper than face to

face learning. Distance learning can happen anywhere as long as you have a

device like cell phone or tablet, It enhances human connections through the use

of electronic devices. And distance learning is more convenient than face to face

class because you don't have to wake up too early to prepare because you only

study at home and it saves more money  because we don't have to spend for our

transportation to school.
Disadvantages of Distance Learning

Online learning cannot offer human interaction and there are so many problems that

the students are experiencing like connectivity problems, distraction and unnecessary

noise at home.And also students can easily cheat because no one sees them and they

may be using another device to communicate with other classmates and cheat. Many

people do not have enough money to buy gadgets for online classes so some parents are

forced to stop their child's education  and another of the disadvantages of distance

learning is that children need guidance especially the kinder to elementary students  and

this is one of the problems of many parents because they are busy at work and  no one

can guide their child.

     How distance learning affect the mental health of the students

The effects of distance learning are more than just their academics. Their mental

health affects because nowadays a lot of students are struggling and having a

hard time to cope up with what they feel. Some of them have anxiety, depression

because of the school work and the situation right now and they are having a hard

time socializing with others. The study reported by Aristovnik et al. concluded

that online learning students were more likely to interrupt their studies and felt

more socially isolated, compared with students receiving traditional education 

Social isolation and loneliness increased the risk of depression and anxiety.
    Help your child to succeed in distance learning

Parents should help their child to make their studies a priority. Enlighten them

about the importance of education in ourselves and how studying affects our

daily lives. Parents should know what study materials that can fit their child best.

Like reading books, watching videos, and others. Without the guidance of the

parents, distance learning is not possible.Parents should discipline their children

by limiting them to use gadgets,watching television, playing, and others to focus

more on their studies. Parents should encourage their children to be responsible

learners so they can avoid failures.