Page 14 - Education February 2022 final_Neat

ONLINE

LEARNING

VS

CLASSROOM

LEARNING

e are now in age of the fourth industrial
revolution – technology. As it transforms
Wmajor industries, life has become more
interconnected, blurring the lines between the
personal and professional with a growing number of
sectors and companies becoming operationally mobile.
The education industry has also slowly but surely
attempted to accommodate these shifting demand
trends, bringing with it a unique set of challenges.
As Covid-19 changed the world and the education
landscape with it, distance education and online learning
became proliferated by necessity, raising questions about
the differences between them. This article covers five key
differences between online and classroom learning.
No human interaction: The most obvious difference
someone thinks of when comparing the two is the
perceived lack of human interaction, however this isn’t
technically true. The correct way to phrase this would
be ‘no physical interaction’. Classroom Learning involves
physical interactions with a teacher and peers, while
online learning transfers this component to a virtual
environment. So while there is human interaction, it or math puzzles that aren’t the cut and dry ‘solve for x’ longer an absolute requirement to travel to a campus to
happens online via virtual lectures, virtual discussions, prevalent in classroom learning. study the programme.
face-to-face video workshops etc. Assessments: The classroom learning method of The online mode of learning also inculcates a sense
Access to learning materials: With online courses, assessing a student’s capabilities is usually through of discipline amongst students as they have to be
students can always access learning materials such quizzes and exams, most often one in a physical setting self-motivated to finish their assignments and degree
as module contents, assignments, lecture materials, invigilated by an examiner. Covid-19 has made this requirements to graduate on time. With student support
podcasts and recorded sessions anytime during the method of assessment (temporarily) redundant. In online always available to online students, they are guaranteed
course of their studies. For postgraduate courses, learning, assessments are undertaken via assignments, to successfully finish their degree course with a little
module tutors are always there to assist with any which can be either individual or group-based, providing commitment and dedication.
questions through emails, messages and Skype calls. an opportunity for students to form study groups
With classroom learning, be it for a school or university that support each other and learn from their differing Disadvantages of online education
courses, a student has to visit the physical location to experiences. In rarer cases, online, open-book exams are n One of the major disadvantages faced by students
speak with tutors face to face, during assigned hours. also used as an assessment medium, however the latter is learning online is managing screen time. Online
This can be limiting, especially for working professionals. more popular. education requires staying logged in on the screen for
Agility: Course materials can be accessed from anywhere
Practice while you study: For university courses, online in the world, regardless of differences in time zones, the an extended period regularly. Long-duration screen
learning students can fit studies around their work location of the student, or their current status. From a time becomes a great difficulty for the students and
schedules, and can immediately practice new concepts busy working professional studying online in the late harmful for their health as well, especially the eyes.
learned by applying them in their current scope of work. hours of the evening, to a stay at home mum brushing up n Another disadvantage includes technical glitches.
With classroom learning university courses, this is not their knowledge before getting back on the job market, Poor Internet connectivity issues also arise multiple
often the case. Since students have to leave their job and online learning provides the much needed flexibility to times during online sessions. Small towns/cities, urban
social commitments to complete a degree programme, study and finish a degree at each one’s own pace. areas face the most difficulty maintaining stable
they will only be able to practice the new knowledge Internet connection. It destroys the learning of the
once they have re-joined the workforce. When it comes As universities recognise the need of the modern students.
to schools and younger learners, a lot of online learning workforce for education, learning and development,
tools and apps help students understand concepts on a online programmes were developed with various n Other disadvantages include: Feeling of isolation by
deeper level by providing problems they can interact and specialisations to cater to professionals from different individuals, minimal peer help, group work not as
solve with in different ways. For example, logic puzzles fields, industries and experiential backgrounds. It is no efficient as it would be if done offline.

14 EDUCATION
DURING THE PANDEMIC