What are the advantages of online learning?

Online learning offers flexibility, self-pacing, and accessibility, making it ideal for those with busy schedules.

Is traditional classroom learning better for social interaction?

Yes, in-person learning fosters face-to-face interactions and group activities, promoting social development.

How can I decide between online and offline education?

Consider your learning style, schedule, and personal preferences to choose the mode that suits you best.

2021-05-02 |

Study Abroad

Online or Offline - Studying Abroad 2024

Which country is best for study 2022?

By Grad-Dreams

General

ONLINE VS OFFLINE LEARNING: THE STUDENT’S CHOICE

In the light of recent events, students had to go through a major shift in the teaching-learning process. The learning in the Covid-19 pandemic is riddled with technology that offers students opportunities for education anytime and anywhere, but is this flexibility in the online system as efficient as the traditional face-to-face learning experience? As the trend towards online education intensifies, it leaves in its wake a series of questions that remain unanswered regarding the overall efficiency of the online system versus its offline counterpart. Therefore, this article seeks to estimate the overall effectiveness of online education relative to the effectiveness of the offline mode of learning among college-going students and thereby understand their preferences regarding the same.

With the unexpected blow, the students have been put in many unexpected situations one of which is switching from offline to the online mode of education. While there is a set of pros and cons for each of the two methods, online education seems to have a few extra advantages. In the article ‘You, me and online education’ written by Dr. Barbara Baethe, she clearly states that an environment created by the online education system is a far better option for college-going students as it avails the flexibility of time and place. In today's fast-moving world, college students tend to engage in multiple activities and internships making their daily schedules quite claustrophobic and packed, the introduction of online education makes it possible to adjust the courses one wants to engage in. The online education platforms enable the use of the internet in the best possible way, the use of audio-visual representation of the learning content makes education all the more interesting and engaging. It is now possible for students to adjust their courses in a way that will guarantee maximum satisfaction. Also at the same time, having your classes scheduled on the online medium of education helps you cut out the unnecessary, hectic, and time-consuming travel time. Imagine getting up a nice hour late and still be on time for your lectures with the same and if not improved focus and dedication, the online lectures save you a to and fro trip to your educational institute which would take you 2 hours on an average; two hours of your day which you can invest in some other activity you like and can do to improve yourself. Even though this is true, it is important to remember that online education requires just as much responsibility and discipline as it would be in the traditional/ offline mode of education. Now it isn’t to say that offline education has no drawbacks. Offline education makes students more socially accountable which is not possible in the online method in the sense that the students can just blame glitches and other such things beyond their control in unfavorable situations. There have been thousands of instances where students have been causing mischief by allowing access to students of other colleges into online lectures just to trouble the professors and at the end of the day a simple “I didn’t do it” will have to suffice as there are no traces left behind online. Also, students from all kinds of areas face internet issues sometimes which breaks their link/ understanding which in turn decreases the efficiency of online education. Recently, many students reportedly do not feel motivated at all or find lectures to be engaging enough in the online environment, about only 39.6% feel motivated and involved and that too only sometimes. Studies show that students should not be exposed to blue light for more than 3 hours a day but more than 90% of the students are spending more than 3 hours in front of the screen for educational purposes such as assignments, lectures, mandatory extracurriculars, etc while some among them spend more than 9 hours in front of a screen, which is extremely unhealthy. Backaches, headaches, and sore eyes are hypothetically the most common health-related difficulties faced by the students which are impacting their sleeping patterns and their drive for excellence in academics in a negative manner. The traditional method of education has its drawbacks as mentioned before but it is preferred by the students over the online method as it provides an engaging atmosphere in class, more social accountability, more student support services, and overall a more dynamic college life.

Contact Grad-Dreams experts for the best international education plans.

If you wish to study abroad, contact Grad-Dreams for the best international career plans.

Hence it is sufficiently clear that most of the students prefer the offline mode of college over online. They also feel that offline and online methods of teaching can complement each other well. Although there are a lot of drawbacks to online teaching, some people find it to be more comfortable and affordable. However, based on our analysis, the majority of the respondents feel that the online system of learning cannot be an effective alternative to its offline counterpart in the long run as it fails to maintain the quality of education and learning.