online learning vs traditional learning
Education is the main tool that allows people to achieve their goals. Through its
different methodologies, human beings acquire knowledge, develop skills, and learn
values. Nowadays, the Corona crisis made people more concerned about Education’s
importance and its methods. Online education has become the source and channel for
imparting knowledge to students, however, most of them are awaiting the return to face-
to-face classes.
In order to examine the differences between online learning and traditional learning,
three elements will be compared:
Flexibility
Effectiveness
Discipline and self-motivation
SOCRATES
“Education is the kindling of a flame, not a filling of a vessel”
1. Flexibility
Online learning
The flexibility of online education is often the most appealing factor,
contributing to many students choosing to opt for this route over more
conventional education. Whilst it promises things like convenience and more
freedom, flexibility itself also has a positive impact on the student’s overall
learning.
Flexible learning provides students with full control and accountability
for their learning. Rather than having to show up to a class as a requirement,
they are able to decide and allocate time for their learning. This control not only
allows them to co-ordinate their education around their commitments but
ensures that they are learning at the best time. For example, some students may
work better in the evening, but traditional education may restrict them by only
offering classes during the day. Flexible learning allows the student to decipher
when and how they will learn by tailoring their course to their own capabilities.
This ultimately leads to them retaining information and producing better results.
They also have the advantage of learning at their own pace which can
help to alleviate a lot of pressure. Teachers often speedily run through concepts
and then follow up with a task that students are required to complete. This can
pressure individuals to quickly complete the task but does not leave space for
students to ask questions. If the student has not understood a concept or idea that
the teacher has explained, they are not able to complete the task to the best of
their ability, therefore hindering their own learning. The flexibility of online
learning allows students to slowly grasp concepts and ensure full comprehension
before moving forward. Again, this leads to achieving better grades.
In addition to flexibility and access, multiple other face value benefits, including
program choice and time efficiency, have increased the attractiveness of distance
learning (Wladis et al., 2015).
Instead of having to be at a specific location at a specific time, online students
have the freedom to communicate with instructors, address classmates, study
materials, and complete assignments from any Internet-accessible point
(Richardson and Swan, 2003)
Flexibility & Scheduling
Online Education – Students pursuing an online education are most
commonly those who need more flexibility in their schedule. Maybe they
have a job, sports practices, performance rehearsals, or other commitments
that require their time during the weekdays, or maybe they simply wish to
minimize the social part of a traditional education. Traveling may be an issue,
or they may simply only have time on weeknights and weekends to complete
coursework. If that’s the case, online education can be very beneficial as
students are often encouraged to make their own schedules and work around
their other commitments, and they are able to complete assignments online at
any time.
Traditional learning
Generally speaking, this is the best option for students who have a little
more freedom in their schedules. That said, traditional students do have some
flexibility in their scheduling in that some schools offer night classes or classes
that follow a schedule where they meet only once per week.
One easy-to-overlook factor when it comes to scheduling is travel time to
campus—a long commute can certainly make schedules difficult, especially if
you’re planning on working while in school.
Traditional Education – environment requires time to travel to and
from school, as well as the time spent in classes and in between classes. The
consistency of a traditional education schedule can be extremely important
for some students, as having too loose of a schedule can cause problems with
procrastination, self-discipline, and more. Students receiving a traditional
education can spend time between classes or at the end of classes working on
school assignments, socializing with their friends, or getting extra help from
teachers and peers.
If a student is considering a major in nursing, agriculture,
biology, music, or theater, online classes can only get them so
far. While it is easy to take some required classes online in
these majors, the classes that include labs, clinical practice, or
performances cannot be done without a traditional campus
class. Having a traditional campus learning environment for
these majors will provide access to equipment and materials
they would normally not have access to with an online class.
Peer Interaction
Students in traditional setups can meet their peers and
friends every day, allowing them to form human
connections outside of the course and curriculum. This is
vital for growing children as it enables them to build a
support structure outside their family and socialize well.
2. Effectiveness
Online learning
Traditional learning
Meyer (2007) found that, overall, the majority of students preferred face-to-face
discussions. The advantages of face-to-face discussions included emotional
content, energy, fluidity, ease, ability to read non-verbal signs, and more
immediate feedback.
3. Discipline and self-motivation
Online learning
Traditional learning
References
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courses in relation to students' perceived learning and satisfaction. Online
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Chaney, E. G. (2001, November 30). Web-based instruction in a rural high school: A
collaborative inquiry into its effectiveness and desirability. NASSP Bulletin.
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Cheney, C. (1989, April 3). Pub type non- classroom use (055) - ed. ERIC. Retrieved
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Di Xu & Shanna S. Jaggars (2014) Performance Gaps between Online and Face-to-
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Noltemeyer, A., James, A. G., Palmer, K., Petrasek, J. & M., & Bowman-Perrott, L.
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Paul, J., & Jefferson, F. (2019, November 12). A comparative analysis of student
performance in an online vs. face-to-face environmental science course from
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Cambridge, D. (n.d.). Effectiveness. Significado de EFFECTIVENESS en el
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Conclusion
It is difficult to infer that which education is better. Both the types have their own
importance. Both the types are also similar to each and different to each other.
Modern education is inherited from the traditional education. But due to modern
education, traditional education is being neglected which would result in losing our
culture. The traditional education and the modern education, both should be given
equal importance.
Webpages
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