For the last hundred and fifty to two hundred years, the image of a classroom that prevailed all over the world consisted of a room with four walls, desks, a number of students seated on benches facing a teacher standing near the blackboard and instructing the students. It is only recently, after the advent of technology, particularly the computer and the internet that the concept of a classroom has started changing. “Web-based technology has noticeably transformed the learning and teaching environment. Proponents of online learning have seen that it can be effective in potentially eliminating barriers while providing increased convenience, flexibility, currency of material, customized learning, and feedback over a traditional face-to-face experience,” ( Swan et al., 2001).There has never been such a vast change observed in the structure of a traditional classroom as in a traditional classroom and an online class. The bases of comparing classrooms are the setting, furniture, facilities, use of equipments, kind of teaching material, role of the teacher, learning style of the students and system of evaluation.
A traditional classroom is a room in which a blackboard, the chief teaching aid exists on one of the four walls. The students sit on benches facing the teacher and focus their attention on the teacher and the blackboard. There is face-to-face and direct verbal communication between them. Sometimes, the teacher shows charts or models to make concepts clear. Other facilities include a table and chair for the teacher, a cupboard, and/or shelves, and occasionally, an OHP or a projector which are recent additions. The remaining walls are covered with charts or pictures related to different subjects, which serve as visual teaching aids.
Teaching material is mostly in the form of books or printed notes. The teacher plays an active role compared to the students. The teacher explains reads or writes on the blackboard while the students listen, observe and take down notes. There is a timetable for each subject which the students follow meticulously. The ringing bell is an indicator of change of period, lunch time or the starting of daily routine and the end of it. Each student is allotted a classroom according to his age and level. There is little flexibility in the schedule. The system is primarily teacher-centred. It is taken for granted that the students grouped in one class have similar needs. The teacher teaches them all in the same way, using the same methods and techniques. The same questions are given to all students for the purpose of evaluation. There is a fixed timetable when examinations are conducted and the students sit their classroom and write answers to the questions. Later, the teachers assess the answer sheets and allot marks.
The concept of an online classroom is vastly different. The students can access a teaching sessions from anywhere, from home, from a net cafe or from the college computer laboratory. The computer or laptop and internet connection are minimum requirements. Teaching material is in the form of software, audio-visual CDs, films and powerpoint presentations. Hard copies of notes may be available as extra support. Several teachers from all over the world can address the students. The teaching sessions are recorded and archived so that students can access them any time, as per their convenience. Students may belong to different age groups and are spread out across the world. The teaching material and programs cater to the needs of the learners. Hence, the system is student-centred. The speed of learning and learning style of each student is different. The method is adapted to suit the needs of the learners. There is considerable flexibility of time and place. Students and teachers either chat online, meet on social networking sites, use mobile phones for conversing or sending messages or communicate via e-mail. A special feature of the online classroom is its eco-friendliness. There is no use of paper and stationery. Examinations are also conducted online, which students can take anytime and from anywhere. The results are prepared and declared online.
While rigidity of time and place are the hallmarks of a traditional classroom, flexibility and technology are the characteristics of an online class ( there is no particular room). A traditional class is conducted within four walls; an online class breaks the physical barriers and extends into a global classroom.
Works cited
Swan, Peter Shea, Eric Fredericksen, Karen. 'Building Knowledge Building Communities: Consistency, Contact And Communication In The Virtual Classroom'. Journal of Educational Computing Research 23.4 (2001): 359-383. Web.
