When students are deciding on where to go to college at they have the option of choosing between online classes and the traditional classroom classes. Today some students are finding it much easier to maintain a job, family and start a college career all by taking online classes. Although some students still prefer to stick with the traditional classroom classes, they still have the option to take online classes. Both online and the traditional classes will provide the educational requirements needed to obtain a college degree and opportunities in the work field. Although the online classes offer just as much as the traditional classes they are completely different when it comes to teaching methods, course material and time. One similarity that traditional class and online classes have in common is that they both can provide the proper education for the students to graduate with. There are several pros and cons about online classes and traditional classes but one of the biggest issues will always be time. A main concern that many students have while attending college is time. Trying to find the time to work, spend time with their family, and go to school can be very stressful for some students. Someone who does not work, or doesn’t have kids might not have an issue with fitting time into their schedule for traditional classes. For the students who do have a busy life might find it harder to attend a traditional classroom, so they have the option of taking online classes and making the classes fit around their time schedule. Another concern that some students might have is communication. Some students might not need to have a teacher in front of them and teach the course material to them, to whereas some students might need the te... ... middle of paper ... ...nditions. Students taking online classes might find it easier to attend family gatherings, traveling, and attended to personal needs. An online class allows the students to work on their own time, to whereas the traditional classes they have to stick with a schedule. There are many differences in taking an online class and a traditional class, time, communication, teacher student ratio time and the teaching methods. Both courses still have some similarities between them and what they require the student to do. Both classes have its pros and cons on deciding what to take. Most people still prefer to take the traditional classes because the traditional classes offer a lot more than online classes. Even though online can be more convenient for some student it might not fit their needs, not having a teacher in front of them teaching can be very hard for them to learn.
However, when a student takes an online class the student and professor are at a disadvantage of building an interpersonal relationship. For example, a professor is unable to read the nonverbal cues of a struggling student through a computer screen or is unable to tell if a student is experiencing a true emergency. Just as, a student is unable to read their professors nonverbal cues that a particular chapter or assignment is vital to passing the course. I have taken classes on campus and online classes for three semesters now and have learned that regardless of class format a student needs to be dedicated, structured, self-motivated and not afraid to ask questions. A disadvantage of taking an online class is if a web portal is not working properly.
Most online colleges allow students to create their own schedules and take courses at their own pace. This has huge implications for students who work full time, are parents and caregivers, or have other obligations. Being able to decide how many courses they will take within one semester and creating a less demanding schedule creates the flexibility that most busy students need in order to be able to successfully juggle multiple responsibilities. Traditional schools have more rigorous academic schedules and more permanent timelines of how many courses should be taken each semester, thus making online colleges more flexible.
There are many vast differences between online and traditional courses, first being flexibility in schedule. Traditional courses have a set time and day for the duration of the semester. Attending class is a portion of your grade. You have to make sure you have the time to attend class and not miss over the allotted amount of days. To help with the scheduling, the college usually offers day courses, night courses, and abbreviated summer classes. Traditional classes comes first on your priority list, work, and then lastly your family. Your free time is scheduled around your class schedule. Classes are 2-4 days a week depending on the schedule you choose. Even though it might be somewhat of an inconvenience, you have to keep in mind it is only for a short time and won’t last forever. All of your sacrifices will pay off in the long run; you will have a degree. The second area of contrast is discipline. Traditional classes, are more for the people who need structure to stay on course. Someone is there giving you daily assignments and s...
One major similarity between taking an online course and taking a face-to-face course is the content being taught. The style of the class does not affect what material is being given to the class. For example, if Brian is taking Algebra 2 online and Matt is taking the same course with the same textbook in a traditional classroom, they are both learning the same things. For this reason, it is a matter of availability and preference that determines whether a student should take a class online or in person. They are getting the same caliber of learning either way so the decision can be based off of personal preference.
Yet one cannot praise the advantages without taking a look at the possible limitations of Web-based delivery. The authors, (Sunal et al., 2003) stated that Web-based students indicated dissatisfaction with the number of opportunities for interaction with the instructor and other students. (Simonson et al., 2003) concluded that access to technology, paradigm shifts for instructors, bandwidth limitations, and training and technical assistance may hinder course delivery. They (Simonson et al., 2003) reported too, that online courses require students to be motivated, self directed and responsible for their success. Another possible disadvantage with Web-based courses is the potential loss of social relationships and sense of community that exists in traditional face-to-face courses (Hiltz, 1998).
It is easy to let work, family, and other obligations take up all the students time and neglect their course work. • Amount of work involved Many online courses require about double the work. This is because these programs require much more written papers due in shorter time frames. • Time alone
Recorded video lectures are one aspect of online classes that give them an almost face to face feel. I can see the instructor, watch their presentations and learn from the value added content that they provide in class. The way in which online classes are organized can also be a huge plus for me. I can see what will be coming up and allow me to set my schedule accordingly. By far my favorite aspect has been the open time frame that some professors provide.
In a busy world online education allows students to further their education to obtain more options. Online education allows students to have a job and obtain credits toward a degree. With concerns about the absence of teachers, technology assures students they can continue learning with teachers more accessible to the student. Attending college on the go is a common choice today with access to technology everywhere they go. Online education allows students to compete for higher pay jobs when graduated. This will maximize a higher educated population and this is necessary to keep America
An online course is similar to a traditional course yet it can be slightly more challenging. When taking such a difficult class, a student can be overwhelmed. There are many helpful strategies to make the difficult class less stressful. In "Being Successful in an Online Course" Hawkeye Community College listed and explained some useful ways to succeed in a online class. If a student wants to be successful in an online class, one should have wise time management skills, self motivation, and appropriate online communication.
Online Learning Students that study online learn by themselves in their own way. They have to complete the assignments and research on their own, forcing them to learn online. Learning may not be as satisfying as face-to-face learning but it has many pros than disadvantages. Online learning is better because you can have a better environment, it is also flexible, and the cost is less. One point in favor is that online education can offer us a good habitat to remain studying and upgrade our study.
I used to have the similar misconception about online courses that they are easy, and effective, but after taking few online course in Community College, I started realizing that online courses are not as easy as we think. In my own personal experience, online courses are loaded with more assignments, projects, and different activities to engage students more in the courses, which is sometimes challenging to keep up with the class schedule, but it is required, since face-to-face interactions are hardly possible to determine how students are performing in the online courses, and those are the only means of evaluation for online students. Sometimes it is very difficult to explain the particular situations and problems we are having in the course
Many believe that by taking online classes students don’t have as much work. On the contrary, college students are generally expected to spend six to nine hours outside of each class reading, completing regular homework assignments and studying. Online students typically have to spend time doing the same type of school work; instructional PowerPoints and videos to cover what students gain from class lectures. Communicating with the teacher is typically easier and more common on campus, however, online and traditional classes both provide mechanisms through which students can interact and get help. On campus, students can talk informally with instructors before and after class, ask questions during class and stop by during office hours. Online students can call or email instructors, and sometimes use cellphones to text. Discussions and teamwork are common in classes regardless of the format. In traditional classes, students normally listen to lectures from instructors, but can also get a chance in many classes to offer ideas and discuss topics. Campus classes also usually include team activities or projects. Online classes include discussions as well, but they take place through online discussion forums. The conversation also tends to play out over time as students periodically check for new posts and reply. The structures of both online and traditional classes vary, but similar in a way. With technology, most of the school work is done through computer whether it’s in an online class or a traditional one. Classes are accessible wherever students go and are convenient and customizable for students depending on busy schedules and everyday life. Also, students can communicate with classmates or their professors through email or the school website. Connections with others can be made not only on a campus, but through
In conclusion online courses are the best option for any student. The advantages of having a flexible schedule, being able to learn at a desired pace, along with having the option to work wherever is comfortable. Out do any disadvantage that can be discussed. So when it comes anyone’s time to make the leap into to taking college classes all I can say is choose wisely.
Finally, you have to think and make decision on whether you want to do online or traditional education. There are several aspects between traditional education and online education that are similar but there are also aspects that are different. One of the many that are alike is the requirement for books and papers; however, the two factors not alike are the cost and equality between all students. Some may feel that traditional education is better because you have person to person communication with the instructor. When you are balancing a lot of things you sometimes tend to fall asleep during class. You have to look at your life and your daily responsibilities when you determining which educational setting is best for you. There are a lot of factors you have to look at when you trying find the type of education that fits your lifestyle
There are some students who find it easier to work in internet classrooms, and some others that find it easier to stay in traditional classrooms. I think someone may choose internet classrooms if they have difficulty interacting with teachers and other students. Some people do not like being in the classroom because they do not feel at ease around certain people, especially those who treat others with disrespect. It is hard for a student to concentrate and learn a lesson when they have that kind of pressure. When learning lessons over the internet, you might think its great that you can study anytime and anywhere.