Online education and classroom education are two very different types of mode learning that have pros and cons. Still, there isn’t a winner to be declared because both have equal benefits and disadvantages and weigh each other equally.
In the current times, due to the pandemic, online classes are trending as the mode of learning in classrooms is not quite safe due to Covid as students have to be present in large numbers in a school where the spread of the virus is rampant.
Classroom education could become normal once the pandemic subsides. However, as online education offers so many benefits and flexibility, the ease of online learning would still penetrate the educational market globally.
Online education requires tools training for students in the lower grade because it might be too complex for them to navigate and understand. The best that a school can do is provide user manuals and videos to students for learning the tools.
Now let’s dive into the topic to gain deeper insights into online education vs. classroom education.
Q: What are the advantages of online education?
A: In online education, students have enhanced their focus on learning because they can learn independently and conveniently. There isn’t any setback compared to classroom learning, as most students prefer online learning.
Teachers find it easy to keep the work-life balance when it comes to online learning as everything is automated using tools to conduct classes. They can also record videos and share them with students when teachers are not available for an online class.
In the image below, a screenshot from GoSchooler shows all the different features that make online classes easier to manage. GoSchooler is an all-in-one cloud-based school management software that is an excellent tool for automating school administrative tasks.
Online education also improves student’s attendance, and it suites a range of learning styles that students can take advantage of. Another crucial advantage is that students can learn from any part of the world regardless of geographical location.
Q: What are the disadvantages?
A: Students and teachers may feel isolated sometimes with online classes, and live interaction during classroom education would make students feel more energetic. It helps improve the social skills and learning capability of students.
The mode of learning in online education is not cost-effective for students with inadequate financial resources as they need access to a laptop and mobile phone. Also, there would be internet connectivity issues for students from remote towns.
There can be issues looking at laptop screens for a long time for students in the long term. Students also tend to get distracted by social media and games, which is a serious concern, so the monitors have to be constantly monitored by the teachers.
Q: What can be done to make students stay focused during online education?
A: Students should learn to stay focused during online classes and adapt to the circumstances caused due to the pandemic, which is a global crisis. In online education, the learning style and methodology should be changed for more flexibility.
To stay focused on online learning, students need to follow a consistent schedule and adapt to routines by managing their time effectively. Students need to make notes, organize everything according to timetables, and plan everything in advance.
Setting a comfortable working environment without any distractions is highly essential to stay focused during online classes. The lighting has to be adjusted to have precise live video interactions, and the sitting posture should be very comfortable.
Q: What tools or software can be used to improve online education?
A:
Edmodo
With Edmodo, teachers can share online class materials, which helps students learn from any location and convenient time. The online classroom can be transformed into a vibrant learning environment with this tool.
Socrative
Socrative helps enhance the learning experience by visualizing student understanding and monitoring and evaluating learning, which saves a lot of time for students. It also makes the learning fun, engaging, and interactive.
Content Management System
Content management system for schools is highly essential for schools to manage and store content securely. GoSchooler, in particular, helps with keeping the content organized in a secure cloud-based environment.
They also enhance online education for schools by launching online assignments instantly, a drag and drop syllabus creation process, powerful CMS tools to prepare study materials, and getting digital access from any computer.
Q: What are the advantages of classroom education?
A: Classroom education provides students with a goal, routine, and a standard timetable for classes. It helps students become disciplined and equip themselves with the essential life and social skills to be responsible citizens.
Usually, students who have good grades in school and studied in a classroom environment perform well in their careers and overgrow, like getting promotions, moving to senior roles, and managing all the aspects of their job responsibilities.
There are also regular interactions between students and teachers, which helps students stay updated about their day-to-day activities in the school. Students can also get clarifications and doubts cleared with their respective teachers.
Q: What are the disadvantages?
A: Attendance is a crucial factor in classroom education, and students need a set percentage of attendance to appear in exams. In classroom education, every student’s discipline and attitude towards their teachers is primarily important.
In classroom education, students can’t commit themselves to family vacations, relative’s functions, and anything that takes away from their studies for more than a week. So, from the student’s point of view, it is not as flexible as online education.
Commuting and transport is also a vital factor in classroom education because many students have to travel long distances to school far away from their home which is quite difficult. Most schools prefer on-time attendance and punctuality.
Final Thoughts
In both modes of learning, students should be given less assignment work, so students can focus more on studies and prepare for exams, and there shouldn’t be an overload of work, which can be a burden for students.
Also, reducing the syllabus can help teachers cope with the limited time they have to prepare and teach lessons for students. Teachers should be offered the best tools to conduct tests and manage all the aspects of online learning.
Schools can follow a hybrid model like they can leverage both classroom and online learning, which can be left to student’s choices, so they can find it flexible. The utmost importance of flexibility should be equally focused on both students and teachers.
