In our modern world education is an essential part of any society. We are all expected to have at least secondary education. Much less people achieve bachelor`s or master`s degree, if we are not talking about PhD level. Today it looks like easier to have a degree in any science but it is still the privilege in receiving better job and being well-paid.
The traditional education presupposes the students gathering in groups in one room with a teacher in order to receive the knowledge according to the program of the course. The students come at the exact time and take part in discussions, labs and pass the exams. The face-to-face communication is an integral part of the traditional education.
Our society is constantly developing, thus it motivates new improvements to appear. In the sphere of education we have received more opportunities. As an alternative to traditional education, distance education became rather popular. Distance education is considered to be any type education where the teacher or professor is not at the same time and in the same time as the student. Modern technologies have made a great impact on the education as well, that is why the use of electronic sources became an integral part of distance education. That is why it is commonly called online education. It gives a chance to the talented disabled people feel on the same stage with others.
The distance education has numerous benefits. First of all, it is comfortable to study at home. It helps to save not only time on getting to university but money as well. Secondly, in most cases you are the manager of your time: you can study when it is convenient for you (Malburg, 2010).
However, there are obvious disadvantages in the online education. In order to be always on the same page, you are supposed to have a good internet connection. And all know that the nature or electricity is unpredictable. You are supposed to be always online, which negatively influences our health. Moreover, the students are not even walking, since they are just sitting in front of their computer, there is no need to change the rooms or to school from home.
The other disadvantage is lack of communication. In traditional education students are working in groups. Preparing the projects together, discuss the case studies. But in online education you are isolated and you are completing all assignments alone. There are still ways to chat with other students on forums or speak in skype but it cannot perfectly replace the face-to-face communication (James, 2002).
In traditional education you always have control – your teacher is responsible for your knowledge. In online learning you choose the course and then everything depends on your desire to study. You are provided with information you need to work with. Thus, you need to have a strong desire and have self-control (Rockler-Gladen, 2006).
The costs for online and traditional courses differ a lot. In online studies you are paying only for the materials you get. While for the traditional education you are paying for the building and equipment it has, for the textbooks, for the lecturer, etc.
Even though online education looks like attractive, it has fewer benefits than a traditional education. But everything depends on the student. If a person has real desire to learn and to achieve something in the future, it does not matter that way of learning we choose.
References
James G. (2002) Advantages and Disadvantages of online learning. Retrieved from: http://www.leerbeleving.nl/wbts/nieuw_basics/addis.pdf
Rockler-Gladen N. (2006) Online College Courses. Retrieved from: http://suite101.com/article/online-college-courses-a9807
Malburg S. (2010) The Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning and Teaching That Help Define the Process. Retrieved from: http://www.brighthub.com/education/online-learning/articles/47782.aspx
