There has always been
a huge debate over classroom education and e-learning courses. In this blog; I
have tried to integrate some points that distinguish between thriving
e-learners from successful classroom students.
Initially online education was regarded as a
burden; because you had to research a lot on decent courses on internet and
then enroll them. But with times, technology has evolved; and now we are seeing
e-learning courses
everywhere. In fact there is no restriction of age group to enroll for online
education. Now this is great news for people who wish to be learners throughout
their lives irrespective of their age. Now even K-12 students are using e-learning courses to make
their creativity sound. This is a welcome change and there is many more to come
in near future. But what are the distinguishing points that make e-learners different from
successful classroom students? This blog will answer this question by providing
some valid points of difference between both these teaching mechanisms. In the
end you will be able to be answer the question whether online education is
better than classroom education or vice versa? So let me start off with the
points:
- Personal responsibility: As far as classroom teaching is concerned the personal responsibility of the students’ lies with the ability of doing the things that are explained in the class by the teacher; nothing more or less. Whereas; in case of e-learning students have to take charge over their learning. They cannot depend on anyone to explain them what to do next. They need to complete their task on time without any supervision, facilitate the work by submitting it to the teachers hence; there is more personal responsibility in e-learning courses than in classroom learning.
- Guidance and direction: In a typical e-learning course the student will wait for the teacher’s guidance to complete the task but will not entirely depend on it. But in classroom education, students have been taught to follow what has been taught in a rigid manner. There is no scope for improvisation. Good self direction is a very important component in education and learning. I have also emphasized this point several times in my blogs that self learning is the best learning. Hence; e-learning courses are a step ahead as they make students independent and think creatively while resolving the problem which is quite impossible in classroom education.
- Working independently vs. in group: Now this is a big point. Because as you know in e-learning courses the scope of doing group activities is minimal. You can interact with each other by organizing an online discussion forum but that personal touch of one-on-one interaction is missing from e-learning courses. Moreover, the time factor is also an important component and the students have to achieve their goals in specified period set up by the tutor. Whereas; in classroom education teachers can use this as an opportunity to make students work in group. This also makes them cover up each other’s weaknesses and built on their strengths. Hence; in terms of group activities class room education is far better than e-learning.
From the points mentioned above;
we can say that e-learning has a key
role in the future of education section. Hence; there is no way to confirm that
classroom education is better than e-learning courses. But this is a huge
debate which will never end. I would like to conclude this blog by inferring a
quote from Arthur C. Clarke,
“Any teacher that can be replaced by a machine….should be!”
If you wish to
share more points with us that distinguish between thriving e-learners and
successful classroom students; then follow us at: http://www.facebook.com/PracTutor, http://hardik.practutor.com. We will be glad to
receive your feedback.
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