Increased technological advancements and increased demand for skilled and qualified labor in the modern competitive world has changed the way many people acquire education. The proliferation of online class has changed the dynamics that characterized typical classroom environment. In the contemporary society, it is possible for a student to elect to either attend classes the traditional way or enlist for online classes. The underlying objective of both these methods of passing knowledge to students is to empower them with competent skills and valuable knowledge and expertise that will enable them become competitive in the markets economy and the public sector. However, despite the fact that students now have two choices to elect from, both of them have several merits and demerits which should be carefully considered before settling on one of them. By providing students with more than a single choice, educators have made it possible for people to choose what works well for them. This brief essay will compare and contrast the online teaching and traditional teaching classes.
While some students learn extremely well in groups, others benefit more when they learn in places without or less distractions. An online class provides a student will an amble opportunity to learn by themselves and only receiving occasional help from the online instructor. In such a way, the students will be able to focus their whole attention on the discipline under study without interference from friends or classmates. Furthermore, apart from just being distraction free, online classes are extremely flexible and student-specific. This means that the online instructor will be able to address the needs and weaknesses of one student at a time unlike what happens in a traditional classroom. In contrast, in traditional classes, students get to experience numerous distractions during class time and outside class. This is because these classes are full of different people of different backgrounds and thus different behavior. Students may engage each other in games or playful behavior during class time thus they fail to capture what was taught in class.
On the other hand, students in traditional classes are able to learn in groups. There are some students who benefit immensely from group discussions and group assignments. Moreover, sometimes explanations from one’s peers can be more understandable than one from an instructor. Students are able to inspire one another and they share on their ambitions, objective and aspirations. This can be a really motivating factor that is inherent of a traditional classroom environment. Furthermore, traditional classes promote healthy competition as students are eager to outdo the other and also avoid being the last in the class. It is an obvious fact that online teachers are unable to use inherent classroom advantages. These include the ability to use skills and their presence to get a point across. In it is also critical to understand the body language is a significant part of communication. Traditional classroom teachers have an opportunity to improvise means by using behavior problems and concepts. However, the teacher in a traditional class room can be more intimidating than in an online class. This is because in an online class, the student and the teacher are more on an equal footing. It is easier for the student to seek clarification and further explanation without the feeling of bothering the teacher, appearing stupid or inconveniencing the teacher or the other students.
An online class is more participatory than a traditional class environment. Online classes have discussion forums where all students have a mandatory obligation to share their views. In contrast, in a typical classroom environment, the teacher would only request a few volunteers to give their views. The teacher would sample a few individuals and conclude that the whole class was in tandem with what is being taught. Online teaching is extremely effective in ensuring critical thinking by the students. This is because they will be required to submit written submissions. Moreover, the fact that it ensures that identity is protected, there is no bias against the person presenting, the personality of the person is hidden and that the ethnicity of the individual is not an issue. Such cardinal merits ensure that students are more comfortable with their instructors and interactions between them are purely academic. In addition, the instructor traditional role in a traditional classroom is being a content provider. There is, however, a fundamental shift in online classes where the instructor is regarded as a content facilitator.
As man continuous to be innovative and creative in the contemporary society, so has his ways of doing business. It is commendable that educators have embraced technology to ensure that knowledge is passed across to students irrespective of geographical challenges. While traditional classrooms continue to maintain their relevance because of their advantages, it is critical to acknowledge the new role that online teaching is bringing into the society. It is possible for an instructor to pass on knowledge to a student in another country or continent. On the other hand, traditional classes still continue to offer an area of experimentation and illustration. Moreover, then enhance human interaction as social beings.
References
Heilman, J. G. (2007). Higher Education Faculty Satisfaction with Online Teaching. New York: ProQuest.
Lari, P. (2008). Understanding Teaching Experiences: Faculty Transitions from Traditional to Online Classrooms. New York: ProQuest.
Boettcher, J. V. (2010). The Online Teaching Survival Guide: Simple and Practical Pedagogical Tips. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
