Online vs. Traditional Schooling: Which is Better?

Over the past decade, there has been rapid growth in information technology that affected almost every aspect of human life, from economics and politics to entertainment. Education is one of the vital sectors affected by the internet. Although online education has several advantages; however, it severely affects the traditional schooling norms of education, which led to such confrontations. Is online learning a great alternative to conventional one? A look at the differences and similarities reveals the better choice!

What is Online Education?

Online education, also called e-learning, is learning via the internet. It is, in fact, a form of distance learning.

What is Traditional Schooling?

Traditional education takes place in a classroom, where the teacher is responsible for delivering and regulating the flow of information and knowledge.

What are the differences between traditional and online Schooling?
Online and traditional education requires different capabilities and methods for communicating course material. Despite their similarities, each has its unique characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. For example, classroom-based learning is more practical for a small group in one location, while online learning is more applicable to learners in many different areas. Next, we will elaborate on how e-learning is different from traditional classroom learning.

1. Group Interaction and Discussion

In a classroom, interactions occur between the individual and others in the same class. Since learning does not have to be solitary, the social dynamics in classrooms contribute to the learning process. Online learning, however, may involve extra effort to maintain interactions between the instructor and the learner and communication between students. The Discussion forums, messaging, and email can help foster a sense of community among learners.

2. Educational Materials and Resources

While traditional education textbooks and instructional methods are predominant, animations and media can stimulate learner curiosity and engagement. However, many restrictions exist in media use in conventional education. Lack of resources or time forces teachers to rely on easy methods, such as lectures and books. Therefore, the classroom environment often has difficulty engaging students in the course material. In contrast, e-learning presents an ideal layout where various media and tools are permissible to enhance learning. Illustrations, animations, documentaries, simulations, audios, and many other methods are easily incorporated into technology-based learning. The use of different media can also help learners in their approach to better understand various concepts and skills required by the course.

3. Rhythm & Customization

Meeting the needs of each student is perhaps one of the challenges of the traditional education. In a typical classroom, an instructor cannot give equal attention to each student. In addition, the conventional classroom environment cannot accommodate all types of learners it resulting in an inability to get each student to understand the course material effectively. Students are different in their pace and ability to learn, and a classroom cannot set a pace and style that suits every learner. One of the advantages of e-learning is that, when optimal, it adapts to the learner’s pace and learning style. It presented with the proper media and organization. E-learning managed to suit the needs of each student and then improve engagement and learning.

4. Language & Content

The traditional schooling uses spoken words and written text to communicate information. Content can be edited easily to fit the technicality and material of the course. While written texts may contain only the essential points as it becomes complete with lectures and discussions with the instructor. On the other hand, the written texts of an e-learning module must be different because online learners rely heavily on them. Written texts for online courses require more detail and careful design, ensuring that each idea makes sense, is clear, and is easy to understand. The modules can also use different text formats to emphasize important ideas, provide more detail, and keep the learner interested in the material.

5. Costs

A traditional learning program has immense benefits but is also incredibly expensive. Online modules are often much more affordable than on-site training. Why is this? Well, you don’t have to count the expense of transportation, structures, employing a trainer, or printing manuals and materials. In 2019, in the United States, training expenditures totaled $83 billion! 29.6 billion of that was the additional fee. Online schooling programs have much lower overhead costs.

Are there similarities between these two types of education?

Although there are significantly several differences than similarities between these two opposing learning methods, they have one thing in common they are both effective.

• Efficiency

We can’t say that e-learning is more effective than traditional learning. And we can’t say the opposite either. It all depends on what it teaches and the method that measures its effectiveness. However, on the whole, e-learning is a comprehensive alternative to face-to-face training. There is considerable evidence and proof that students can learn as effectively and equally online as they do in the classroom.

Which is Better?

We like to pick a winner, but we can’t. We think it’s unfair to either of these two learning methods, as they each have advantages and disadvantages. Which learning method is going to work best for you depends on many things:

• What is your budget?
• What topic do you want to learn?
• What do you want the learning to accomplish?
• What time do you need??

Perhaps choosing one or the other type of learning is too rigid and restrictive. If you want to combine the benefits of both types of education, you can also consider blended learning.