Classroom Learning
For many years classroom learning has been the tradition in the educational system. Classroom learning has tangible benefits that have been studied for decades. We can see the results from this teaching method through generations of students who have gone on to have successful careers and even go on to attain advanced degrees. As a result of these classroom interactions, knowledge is passed down to the next generation. This educational system also allows students to learn from other people’s experiences. Using what has been done before by others to our advantage is one of the hallmarks of education. Many educators have plenty of experience and can bring a wealth of knowledge to bear in helping students learn. Many educators have to ask themselves: should I keep using traditional methods in my classroom, or should I branch out and try eLearning methods?eLearning
There are many learning methods, and eLearning is just one of them. But it’s a powerful tool that helps students and teachers to immerse themselves in education differently. eLearning is the process of using online resources to learn something. This includes online courses, self-study materials, and even virtual classrooms. Although the idea has been around for a while, eLearning has become increasingly popular over the years. As the necessity for virtual classrooms has also increased, eLearning is now the principal method of education in many places. eLearning is a relatively newer system of learning, but with the power of the internet, it has grown rapidly. We see this in all fields. Colleges have started to rely on technology to help students learn faster. You can even get an entire degree online and never have to step foot into a classroom! Let’s discuss some of the pros and cons of eLearning and traditional classroom methods.Benefits of Classroom Learning
One of the most significant benefits of classroom learning is that the teacher and student have immediate feedback. If a student doesn’t understand something, the teacher can identify this as fast as a student can raise their hand, retain more knowledge, and maintain it over time like never before. You can learn more in less time, have more knowledge and keep it over time like never before. Students receive an education that is tailored to their individual needs. Classroom teachers can help students understand concepts they may have trouble grasping in a remote setting. Classroom teachers are also there to help students gain valuable study skills that they can use for their future careers and lives.Classroom cons
Some students learn better with the direct feedback they get from their teachers, but this doesn’t make as much of a difference for some students. Some students can learn and grasp content more quickly. When they are stuck in a classroom, they generally have to continue at the same rate as their peers, slowing the progress they could make in learning different materials. If you are one of these people that understand better when you are self-directed rather than having someone else tell you what to do all the time, then eLearning may be a better option for you.Benefits of eLearning
Many people who are interested in taking a course online ask themselves if eLearning is really better than classroom learning. First of all, you save a lot of time and money by taking an online course. You don’t have to leave your house, you can complete the course at any time that suits you and you can learn at your own pace. You don’t have to wait for the class to move on to another topic or for the teacher to answer your questions. You can simply pause, take your time and then continue with the course. All of this means that you won’t lose precious time and money when taking an online course. Many people also prefer eLearning because they get to learn at their own pace, they can complete the course in their spare time and they don’t have to worry about other students. You may not be familiar with this but many traditional colleges/universities have strict rules regarding deadlines for submitting assignments and these deadlines must be met regardless of what else is going on in your life. This means that when you miss a deadline because you had an emergency or because you didn’t have enough time, there isn’t much room for negotiation! eLearning gives you the luxury of time that isn’t found in the traditional classroom environment.eLearning cons
eLearning dramatically limits the types of students that can experience this learning method. For example, students with learning disabilities, or other neurodivergent students who require more time and attention, cannot receive what they need. Educators have learned a lot about teaching students that require more attention, and eLearning has not caught up to the extent that would be better for the student, like classroom learning or in-person learning.Case Study examples
A Case study conducted in 2016 took a group of engineering students and separated them into classroom and eLearning students. The study found that the classroom students improved more than the eLearning students. The study concluded that “based on our results, the face-to-face teaching was more successful than the e-learning format in this case. While the overall performance of the students in the control group significantly improved, the eLearning group did not improve their average performance.” (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305708293_CLASSROOM_VS_E-LEARNING_A_CASE_STUDY_ON_THE_PERFORMANCE_OF_STUDENTS_IN_DIFFERENT_LEARNING_SCENARIOS). They go on to express that motivation and distraction of the students in the study were factors in overall performance. Another example from Harvard University discusses a professor who believes firmly in interactive learning. When explaining how he knows that students are learning, he sees “the students often become emotionally invested in the learning” (https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/14/11/benefit-interactive-learning). In a classroom setting, this is easy for the instructor to see, however in an eLearning environment, a teacher may not receive that information for a long time.Takeaways
It appears that the most significant difference between eLearning and classroom learning is the personal interaction that the educators and students receive. While there are differences between eLearning and classroom learning, there are also many similarities. In a sense, both are educational. Compared to a textbook, classroom learning is more social and relatable since students can interact with others their age. eLearning eliminates the need for students to travel to a center or conference room unless the course requires it. No one can deny that online education is changing the way students are educated and how the world is evolving. So often, education, in general, is presented with a one-size-fits-all mentality. However, eLearning has allowed students to focus on specific skills or projects in subjects or topics they may not execute well. Most importantly, it’s up to each educator to determine what is best for their students to progress and move forward in a way that will benefit them most.[learn_press_profile]