Behind the Screen VS In Front of People

One of the things I've been doing with all the time I've been blessed with the last few months is to take on some online courses. Partially for self-interest, partially to better my skills. And it was free, so all the better.
With Coursera, I took two courses; Social Network Analysis and A History of the World Since 1300. The format of it was a weekly lecture video, mini-assignments and then larger assignments that can span across weeks. This differs depending on the subject. On top of that, there are discussion forums between students and the lecturers. Also, with the Social Network Analysis class for example, it is made more interesting with extra videos speaking to network analysis experts (i.e. LinkedIn) just so students can further understand the application of the courses.

I enjoyed the courses very much, but I didn't finish the courses. Save for the holidays in between and a lack of discipline, what made me not finish them? Here are some factors I think affect a person's motivation to study an area.

Interest? Checked.

Convenience/ Accesibility? Checked.

Available support? Checked.

No financial concerns? Checked.

Reflecting on it, I think it might be because the lack of a learning environment. The not-used-to being in class with "so many people" around the world yet you are one learner behind the screen. Though there was all the time given in the world for you to take the discipline and do what you're interested in to do, not being in a class environment really does make a huge difference in my motivation. We all have different learning styles yet I think to be able to have a banter with someone(s) regarding something you've learnt really does keep one motivated and discipline. It could be replicated with the discussion forums, but in my opinion, still largely different, at least for me personally. To be able to see, feel, and realise that relationships are going on around you, to feel connections actually happening - connections between people, knowledge and each other - maybe that's the key.

Perhaps that is where the value of education lies. Making us, and to some extent forcing us to meet those we would not have met when you are behind a computer screen. It's possible to stay unknown a whole three years of undergraduate, but it is also significantly harder to do so. Harder to not notice the person that asks you a question, hard to not notice the person who seems to answer your question when you show a blur face.

There are so many exploitation to education nowadays (i.e. this video) and the education world is seeing significant good changes. We are all leveraging on technology to help make education more accessible and more holistic. Yet, are we helping the humanistic changes of it? Are our abilities to learn made easier due to all these technology or are convenience and accessibility overriding the true essence of learning between a teacher and student because of this real-time relationship?

I'm not sure. But I'm still willing to give it a shot. Have signed up for another course on Coursera - Personal Financial Planning, so let's hope I'll stick through this time. Let me know if you decide to join a course!