I have experience in both learning from the traditional classroom and learning from the online setting. I can easily identify the differences between these two types of learning environments. The two main differences can be divided by two categories which are flexibility and class discussions (Bethel University, n.d.)
?There is far less flexibility in a traditional classroom (Bethel University, n.d.). As a formal student of a traditional classroom learning environment, I had to physically drive to the college, carry my textbooks everywhere, and attend class at a designated day and time each week. Since I didn’t have any children, I didn’t have to be concerned with finding a babysitter (Bethel University, n.d.). At the end of each school day, I had to pay for parking as I exited the campus parking garage. Online learning can be conducted anytime and anywhere that has internet connection. The greater flexibility involved with online learning can cause a lot of stress to a student. It would be easy for a student to forget the weekly deadlines and the upcoming schedules (Bethel, University, n.d.). “Students can suffer from a perceived lack of guidance, may experience isolation, and will likely have technology issues from time to time.”(Bethel University, n.d., p. 7). In an online class discussion, words can be thought of carefully and edited several times before it is posted permanently unlike the traditional classroom which can 't be edited after it has
In a traditional setting, a student can physically talk to their instructor about the subject they are going over in class. They also have physical classmates that they can turn to when discussing about certain topics or they can even get together on certain assignments. A traditional class setting is best for someone who works better in an environment that does not feel isolated and would prefer to have their instructor right in their view so they can ask about anything related to the class. However this setting wouldn't work too well for someone who has a full time job or a family because they are held to time constraints and they have to revolve their schedule around the time they have to be in class. While some people can pull it off, others don't have that luxury. Most people have jobs that won't allow them to be on a school schedule so they can attend classes. This is why more adults or non-traditional students attend online programs because they feel it suits their needs.
There are no facts supporting the statement that “you cannot learn as much online as in a classroom”. Everyone has their own needs for learning some people do better online in the privacy of their home where there are not any distractions, and some people need have face to face interaction in order to learn. Some people who are in online classes may learn more than those who are in a classroom. No matter what you choose the learning part is up to you and how committed you are to furthering your education.
I disagree with Glassner and Schapiro because some people want the traditional college experience. Don’t get me wrong, technology will eventually take over but a lot of students still want the experience of moving away and going to school. That experience is like nothing else because this is the time of a student’s life where they really discover themselves. Some students want to join social clubs, sororities, fraternities, etc. Online course do not give the students that opportunity. Some students want to travel and attend a school out of state. Some colleges and universities do not have online courses available to those who want to attend that school. The freedom that comes with living on campus is incomparable as well. Every action that the student makes affects the experience of the student. The biggest disadvantage of online courses is that you cannot connect with other students. This period in a person’s life is where the lifelong friends are made and this simply cannot happen if the person is taking online courses.
Online school normally allows students to view things as many times as they need while at traditional school, students can only review the thing they are learning once. Also, if students at an online school get busy with anything else, or need longer to do an assignment than what amount of time would be given at a traditional school, then they can still finish the assignment as well as they could with their extra time. Also, students can work at their own pace to get work done. Some students need more time to get some things done. If they do online school, they will have almost as much time as they need throughout a certain amount of time. Students can review anything they need to as many times as they need to fully comprehend what they are learning. Some students need to view things many times to fully
It is creating terrible psychological and social habits and binding students to a tight schedule that is not necessarily reasonable for most students this day and age. As students require jobs to be able to afford college tuition, and social hours for healthy development. Online courses can offer students a chance to become independent and explore their education in new and interesting ways that can allow them to be creative and work at their own pace and ways. This level of independence is proven to be vital in a workplace today. However for students who prefer guidance, the ability for livestreamed professors and guided lessons can be offered and help students connect to the information they are learning and ask questions. Finally it will allow for our nation to create a simple and efficient national standard that is not cluttered up in state government or curriculums. It is the time to take a stand against the norms set by generations long past and finally revamp a system that has long since been outdated, both for the students of today, and the students of
Online classes and the traditional classroom setting both offer many of the same advantages. They both provide the student with the same course content so there is no loss of curriculum between the two. Both demand the same time investment for learning, studying, taking exams, completing papers, and so on. Although it seems easy to think that with doing all of your school work online there isn’t any personal interaction with professors and peers, however, that is a common misconception. Online classes, like traditional ones, require a degree of contact with your peers and professors. It may not be as personal interaction as raising your hand and being called on, but you can e-mail your professor at any time and there are discussion boards and forums available for fellow students to communicate and help each other out.
Contrary to what some may believe, online learning doesn't equate to less work nor are the standards any lower than what one would expect from a traditional classroom environment. Online learning simply refers to the way in which the content
There are others, like myself, who feel that online learning is better. The supporters of this back their claim by stating that online classes can be more beneficial for teachers and students. For example, fewer distractions in a classroom like other students disrupting class. Students can come into class late after the teacher has already started class and cause a disruption or talk during the class. With online classes the student can control their environment. Also, a teacher can provide in writing just the basic information a student needs for an assignment. This way there is less of a chance for the student to get confused on the assignment when the topic
Students are not put forth the effort they would have in a traditional class. Due to pacing ways, how much effort you put into the course, and how the teachers are respected. Through online classes fail to succeed as well as traditional, they still share similar information, course credits, and teaching new technology to the youth. Our world is growing, striving, and conquering new things. We need to put more effort in managing these online classes so not only can the teachers actually enjoy it, but the students learn in a new, meaningful
Although online classes do offer options to those that choose to continue their education, there are a number of fundamental downfalls that prevent it from truly becoming a new standard of learning. I fully agree with what Kiefer points out with regards to the major deficits within her essay. Based on my personal experiences, I only classes becoming more and more difficult as I get older with other responsibilities and the pressures to take care of myself and my family.
In order for students to be able to take college courses online, they need some type of way to organize themselves and push themselves finish their work since their teachers really can’t (Bird). In a physical classroom, teachers are able to move around and be able to answers questions right then and there, but with online schooling students would have to wait a while to get a response from their teachers if they have questions (“Key”). The dropout rate for online schooling in very high, mostly because students don’t know how to prioritize their school schedule and don’t know how to be self motivated (Bejarano). Learning independently is very challenging, and students may become discouraged when they have to face challenges with learning online by themselves (Bejarano). Online learning would not be a good option for students that can’t self motivate and can’t focus
However, advocates of classroom learning believe the online method isolates the students from one another as well as their professor minimizing the overall value of taking the course. They also claim that students learn better when working together with their instructor and their fellow classmates. Students learn better when they are given the opportunity to ask questions, join in class discussions, and they move the process of learning forward through their participation. Face-to-face advocates firmly believe that this kind of interaction is not possible over the Internet; and for many types of education, e-learning will never meet the potential of live human interaction in the classroom. An article in the New York Times titled, “Second Thoughts on Online Education,” backs up the points made above. A recent research published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, comes to the conclusion; “A rush to online education
The positive of online classes is being able to access the class in any free time. Most online classes though, require work to be turned in on certain days and times. Which makes it harder for students to remember when assignments need to be done. The pleasure of the instructor reading/lecturing the textbook material out loud won’t be there. It
Technology is changing every aspect in our lives, even the way we learn. Online classes are a rapidly growing trend it today’s society. Online classes are a cost-effective substitute for traditional courses and more convenient for many, so more schools and universities are offering this option. Due to the increase in online course enrollment, people are questioning if students truly learn something from online classes because it’s not a traditional learning environment. Online classes are just, if not more, effective as traditional classes because grades have increased and online discussions provide students with the chance to interact through networking while earning a degree for less than what it would cost to enroll at the same university.
Time for a face to face class is very difficult if a person works 40 hours a week but an online course can put an ease on the time restriction because the person does the work at their own pace and time. It is also easier to sign up for an online class than a class at a college. Message boards are in use if the students need to leave a question or a comment about the subject their on. They also save time by not traveling to the college and trying to find a parking space.