In this day and age, attending college doesn’t have to be a one-alternative path. A few years ago, online education was frowned upon, and students had to adapt to set schedules by colleges and universities. With the advancement in technology, though, a large part of education is now happening online.
Currently, there are over six million students in the US, taking online courses at degree-granting institutions. For this reason, the debate for choosing between traditional learning and online courses is getting hotter by the year. Both options have their pros and cons.
Online learning offers incredible flexibility. Many post-secondary, on-demand learning institutions offer recognized online courses. Still, traditional learning offers in-person teaching and training, which is widely recognized compared to online learning. So which one between the two should you opt for?
In this post, we’ll delve deeper into the key differences between online education and traditional learning. We’ll highlight the pros and cons of both options, and help you make an informed decision about what to take.
What You Need to Know About Traditional Learning
Traditional learning involves being in a classroom with a teacher and communicating with other students in a brick-and-motor facility. Students attend various classes during different times of the day and learn about specific topics or subjects. They get hands-on training and experience and interact with each other during the learning process.
Most learning institutions have chosen to incorporate technology in the facilities to improve learning. However, students may still handwrite their notes and complete their exams using pen and paper. The lessons are usually based on standard government books that students work through.
As convenient as online courses may be, some things must be taught in person. For instance, chefs need to have a part of hand-on training, and so do pilots, engineers, among others.
The Advantages of Traditional Learning
Face-to-face learning is, by far, the most significant benefit of traditional learning. Learning in-person usually allows the students to interact with their teachers and get to know and understand each other better. Students are able to build trust with their teachers, and the teachers are able to pick up on nuances, which may be hard in an online setting.
Traditional learning creates good routines for learners, and the discipline that comes with it sets them up for success as adults. Students get hands-on experience, learn with textbooks, and gain real-life examples.
Even better, they get excellent social skills. It’s in college and universities where young adults are able to discover themselves. Getting real-life experiences with other students they can relate to goes a long way.
It’s impossible for them to get similar social opportunities in an online learning format. Beyond that, they get physical exercise with their daily routines and gyms close by, which sets them up for better health.
Disadvantages of Traditional Learning
The first disadvantage of traditional learning you may notice is how rigid it is. Students don’t get flexible hours, and they have to follow stipulated schedules and routines. It may be complicated for students with other commitments or jobs that can’t allow them to follow these routines.
Commuting can also be a problem if the learning institution is far from home. This means some students may not get to learn in their chosen institutions. Besides, transport and vehicle maintenance will incur charges, and the living expenses can be quite high.
Traditional learning is also more expensive, and most students need to get into debt to enroll and keep learning.
What You Need to Know About Online Education
Online learning happens on the internet, and there are many online courses available for interested parties. Teachers upload content on learning management software then share it digitally with their learners. This content can be accessed through various devices as long as one connects to the internet.
In online education, students don’t interact with the teachers or other students. In most faculties, they interact through forums, chat rooms, and emails. However, the students can also live stream the lessons and engage with teachers in a live setting.
Advantages of Online Courses
One of the most significant advantages of online courses is that they’re on-demand. Students can access their lessons whenever it’s convenient for them, and they can learn at their own pace. Students have control over what areas they want to delve into and what they want to skip.
Online learning also allows curation and collaboration of content. It allows students to learn in a medium that’s most convenient for them. Teachers can use videos, podcasts, live streams, among others to teach, and it makes learning easier and fun.
Disadvantages of Online Learning
One of the major disadvantages of online courses is that students learn in isolation. Learning without interacting with others can take a toll on the students. This may prevent them from being accountable.
Online learning content also needs reformatting and can’t be similar to traditional learning. Some professionals out there just upload their content and call it a course, which is not always effective. Beyond that monitoring and maintaining students can be challenging.
Sometimes it’s impossible to tell whether the students are focused on their studies. Even worse, students cheat a lot because all they have to do is check the answer from the internet.
How Do You Know What’s Best for You?
If you have the option to choose between the two, which one should you take? Consider what fits your learning style before making a decision. If you have a hard time focusing and concentrating on your studies, then an online course may not be ideal for you.
If you can appreciate the freedom and flexibility that comes with online learning, then you will undoubtedly thrive. If you’d like to experience both, then you can opt for hybrid learning instead.
Choosing the Best Learning Module
As you can see, both traditional and online courses come with their pros and cons. You must be honest with yourself when examining your weaknesses and strengths before you determine which learning style is best suitable for you.
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