Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Online Vs Classroom Education







The new classroom is a virtual one.


Online education can be very appealing for busy adults looking to find a way to earn a degree without halting their lives to do it. Online education is also an option for younger children in a variety of settings. Online education and traditional classroom learning each have their merits and faults.


Pacing


In an online classroom, a student can work at his own pace to complete assignments within a broader deadline. For example, an online class might require a student to write a paper and participate in a discussion board within one week; he can choose the days during that week to complete those assignments. In a traditional classroom, deadlines tend to be stricter and students generally have to work all at the same pace.


Motivation


In an online classroom, a student must be her own source of motivation. In a traditional classroom, a teacher is there to motivate his students. Online, you would not have daily reminders to finish assignments and stay on track with learning; therefore, in an online classroom, students need to be able to manage their own time wisely.








Socialization


Online learning does provide opportunities for socialization, including discussion boards and group assignments. However, a traditional classroom provides more interaction with peers in a face-to-face setting.


Length of Time


Since you can work at your own pace with an online degree, it is possible to finish a degree in less time than it would take to attend traditional classes. This is especially helpful for working adults who want a degree in order to advance their careers quickly.


Open Doors


Online education provides a chance for people in a variety of situations to have access to education a traditional classroom does not provide. Teenage parents can stay home with their children and attend classes online; the same is true for older working adults, kids who have to remain at home for medical reasons, and teens who need to work in order to help support their families.

Tags: traditional classroom, Online education, online classroom, classroom student, does provide, education traditional