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Online Learning Vs. Traditional Classroom Learning

In this 21st Century, can you imagine life without technology? Technology opened

immeasurable gates of information accessibility globally. At the click of a button, news

across all geographical locations worldwide is accessible, easy, and faster, especially with the

introduction of the 5G speed. As society incorporates digital learning in schools, an analysis

of how literacy, test scores, and quality learning compares with the traditional setting is

essential. As the world recuperates from the COVID-19 effects, online learning helped keep

students learning while exercising social distancing. There is a surge in online learning across

schools, raising the question of efficacy and effectiveness. While physical classes have

benefits, it is time to embrace the digital revolution.

While the digital industry revolutionized classrooms, online and traditional learning has

several similarities. First, time management is a vital aspect (Chen et al. 1). Formal education

involves setting time aside to attend a physical class; similar time management suffices in an

online course. Noting that the digital class can work wherever the student is, managing other

businesses to fit into their learning schedule is essential. Secondly, the curriculum covered in

both platforms is similar. If a class requires eight weeks to tackle all areas comprehensively,

physical and online courses will work towards those lines. Moreover, this trickles down to

effective time management on the facilitator’s or instructor’s side. The result at the end of a

semester or period is comprehensive coverage of all required curricula. A strong attendance

rate for any student is less than nine missed school days annually (Deus 1). In the same way,

the required attendance for both digital and traditional learning is seventy-five percent.
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Therefore, both platforms give chances for students and instructors to manage their time

wisely for efficient learning.

Similarly, in both, the teacher is the moderator. Therefore, activities like assignments

and tests are well integrated into both platforms. Teachers demand active participation in the

classes for better learning. Thus, individual and group projects and participation suffices. In

the same way, feedback on these assignments keeps classes lively and evolving. Learners,

therefore, get diverse points of view and critics, which enhance their learning mindsets,

regardless of how they learn.

Conversely, there are differences between an online and a traditional learning method.

First, the physical interaction evident in a standard classroom setup is not in an online class.

The dynamics created in a conventional class differ for every class. However, these dynamics

need to be evident in a digital class, which requires teachers to look for alternatives. Thus,

chats and forums suffice to help in online discussions. However, while the forums are

limited, this interaction gives even the less vocal an equal chance of interacting with their

peers and teachers without physical pressure. However, the disadvantage of these forums is

that students need more opportunities of getting to know their teachers in person. Electronic

communication connects students across different geographic locations but lacks the physical

touch a traditional classroom contains.

Learning can either take synchronous or asynchronous approaches. On the one hand,

traditional classroom learning is synchronous, meaning learners must be physically present

and participate in a particular class at specified times weekly (Scheiderer 1). On the other

hand, online learning involves both synchronous and asynchronous participation.

Asynchronous learning means that students are at liberty to view instructional materials at

any time. Therefore, asynchronous techniques reduce the limitations of being present at

specific times. This ensures the students can manage their time and look at learning materials
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when they are settled. Traditional learning barely gives such freedom. The freedom

associated with asynchronous learning makes online classes more attractive, especially for

those working or with tight schedules. However, with asynchronous learning, there is much

emphasis on personal time management to cover all course materials without being pushed.

The idea challenges online students who get caught up in other things and must remember to

study.

Supporters of online learning give various reasons why it is the best in the current

times. Most claim that with digital learning, resources are unlimited. From having the internet

as a baseline for their studies, study materials are vast. Conversely, some are convinced that

digital classrooms provide better chances of cheating. A teacher can only partially rule out

cheating during tests and assignments with limited supervision, even with webcams.

Similarly, digital learning deprives students of social skills and effective communication with

their peers. While online classes emphasize participation by all students, critics, and

feedback, digital learning could potentially enclose some learners into being comfortable

behind the screen compared to face-to-face. Ultimately, there needs to be more evidence

explaining the risks and benefits of inculcating more technology in schools. Most studies try

to find a correlation between technology use and academic performance. In a research

conducted in 2018, Lucey found that performance is only directly proportional to a student’s

motivation to succeed (Lucey 244). Thus, personal regulations impact the individual's

learning experience more than the delivery technique.

The world and its formalities are significantly changing daily. With new technological

advancements on a regular, it is only paramount that everyone keeps up with these trends.

Among them lies embracing digital learning. After all, change is the only constant thing in

the world.
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Works Cited

Chen, Clement, et al. “ICYMI | How Online Learning Compares to the Traditional

Classroom.” The CPA Journal, 27 Sept. 2018,

www.cpajournal.com/2018/09/27/icymi-how-online-learning-compares-to-the-

traditional-classroom/.

Deus, John A. “What Is Good Attendance?” School Performance Institute, 22 Jan. 2019,

www.schoolperformanceinstitute.org/blog/2019/1/18/how-were-learning-to-improve-

this-school-year-partv.

Lucey, Kevin. The Effect of Motivation on Student Persistence in Online Higher Education:

A Phenomenological Study of How Adult Learners Experience Motivation in a Web-

Based Distance Learning Environment. 5 Nov. 2018, pp. 1–318,

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/234048366.pdf.

Scheiderer, Juliana. “What’s the Difference between Asynchronous and Synchronous

Learning?” Ohio State Online, 14 July 2020,

https://online.osu.edu/resources/learn/whats-difference-between-asynchronous-and-

synchronous-learning