Online learning has recently become widespread as a flexible and innovative form of education still it has its peculiarities that are not inherent to traditional learning. Students can learn from any place for so long; however, the disadvantage of not being in a classroom setting for face to face communication and control may lead to less cooperation and discipline. It has brought about change that required a discussion of the quality and efficiency of education.
Flexibility is probably one of the greatest strong suits of online learning. The students can attend classes irrespective of his or her location and this is especially ideal for the learners who have other commitments in their day or learners who reside in areas where a certain course is not available. Such platforms enable learners to determine the speed of their learning and this makes education flexible depending on the learner’s learning style and his or her circumstances.
Although this might be a good thing, there are also negatives such as lack of work discipline and evasion of responsibilities. Some students lack motivation especially in instances where they cannot engage in face to face communication with their superiors or fellow students. Another thing that was mentioned is that the development of self-discipline and time management is crucial in cases of online learning activity. On the other hand, traditional classes can be very rigid, and this assists the learners in remaining on task most of the time.
Face-to-face teaching and learning provide students an opportunity for interactivity and an environment where they are able to receive feedback promptly. This face-to-face element contributes to the creation of the community and students’ engagement – something they consider important for concept mastering. Even with development in the mode of communication such as video conferencing, these aspects cannot be imitated in a virtual environment.
The online learning mode is favorable or not is the result of a comparison with the traditional mode of learning depending on the learner’s needs. Online learning provides freedom to the learners whereas conventional modes are rigid and have social interaction. While studying two methods have their advantages and certain drawbacks, they may in combination in a form of blended learning approach might be the most effective and engaging for the contemporary learners.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Different students also benefit from online learning in various ways because the following traditional education also has its strengths that cater for other students. On one hand, the format of distance education is advantageous as it can be easily accessed and managed while on the other hand conventional classroom increases involvement and encourages discipline. Acknowledging these differences is essential. One has to adopt the concept of blended learning that can easily close the gap, help to create a conducive pedagogy for the current student population and provide an efficient model.
