Online Learning Versus Traditional Learning, Essay Example

In today’s technologically advanced world, it only makes sense that individuals start adapting to their changing environment. Specifically, individuals must start to understand that it is imperative that they embrace the potential in online learning. The reason why online learning should be popularized is because its advantages greatly overshadow its disadvantages. For example, Carron, a professor at New York University, states that with the Internet, online degrees have become a perfect option for the individual who may not be able to enroll in a traditional classroom institution (Carron). Moreover, a writer, Mr. Bird, agues that online learning is more beneficial than traditional learning because of the manner in which time efficiency is used. (Bird). What this suggests is that those individuals who learn to accept the fact that online learning is much more productive at times as opposed to traditional learning will ultimately succeed in their individual lives. Though this may seem like a faulty generalization at best, once the kinds of advantages that come with online courses are explained and elaborated, it will become clear as to why all individuals should opt for online learning as opposed to traditional learning. Online learning methods should be prioritized over traditional learning methods because of the many advantages it brings better time management, independency, and modernization.

 Students should take online courses because they lead to better time management. Taking online courses allow a student to attend school around their schedule, giving them more free time. This will be due to the fact that these individuals will be able to take the classes whenever they want and not have to go to a specified class at a specified time. Individuals would come to appreciate that through their online courses, they would have more time to do the things they really love, as opposed to having to attend a traditional class all the time.

 Another big reason student should prioritize online teaching over traditional teaching is because of the kind of flexibility that is offered in the online classes. In traditional classes, the norm is that if a student does not understand or comprehend a certain subject of concept, then the whole class must be interrupted for the sake of that student. This invariably causes the class to fall behind in the lesson that is being taught at the moment. Online classes are very distinct in this aspect. What is great about online classes is that they offer the flexibility that would never be possible in a traditional class. For example, in an online class, a student is given the opportunity for him or her to go at his or her own pace. Often times, this means that a student is able to get ahead of the whole class while sometimes it may mean that a student can take all the time he or she needs in order to understand a certain concept. The reason online courses is so grand is because is suits a student’s needs perfectly. What this mean is that a student is allowed to take a certain course when he or she wants to and is not expected to follow a core curriculum. Being able to log into class whenever a student a student decide, allow them to have more free time.  The fact that a student would be able to attend the majority of family events as opposed to having to attend a lecture in a traditional class is something that was unheard of until the twentieth-century.

 In addition to having the flexibility of the world at one’s fingertips, an advantage of taking online courses is that a student becomes much more independent. Because of the fact that a student does not have a certain responsibility to attend a certain class at a given hour, it becomes the student’s personal responsibility to do his or her online coursework without having an instructor present to constantly remind the student of what he or she must complete. Although this might sound irresponsible at first, it is important to take note of the fact that by not having someone constantly behind your shoulder reminding you of what needs to get done, you will become more responsible. This is due to the fact that individuals will come to realize that they have to do their coursework within given deadline without any excuses. In addition, opting for online courses is much more beneficial as opposed to attending to traditional course because of the fact that a student is able to learn the true meaning of self-motivation.

 Because of the fact that there is no one present to constantly remind the student of what needs to get done, the student must learn how to motivate himself or herself to do his or her coursework within the given amount of time. This helps develop a kind of independency in a student. Independency in a student usually means that he or she is ready for the real world, where no one else will be reminding them of what needs to be done and by when it needs to be done.

 By taking online courses, individuals will come to realize that they must set personal deadlines in order to ensure that they do not fall behind in their own perspective classes. If this is not done, then it is without a doubt that individuals will constantly be failing an online class because they will not be doing what is required for the course. In addition to being responsible and setting one’s own deadlines, by taking online classes, individuals begin to understand that time is valuable and that they cannot be putting things off to the last minute. This is not typical in a traditional teaching course because individuals are often attempting to look for an easy way out of difficult coursework by trying to change an instructor’s mind.

 A major factor that can contribute to the decision as to why a student should opt for online teaching as opposed to traditional teaching is due to the manner in which online teaching is more interactive. For example, at a university lecture hall, an individual might not be able to contact a certain professor because he or he may be too busy throughout the class to answer specific questions for individual people. However, in an online course, a student has the ability to personally reach out to the professor that is teaching the course whether it be via email, Skype, etc., and has the opportunity to ask the professor questions regarding the course materials. As a result of this option, online teaching is much more personal.

 A great reason as to why online teaching is wonderful is due to the manner in which it allows individuals from all over the world to interact for one common purpose. Despite the fact that this common purpose can be anything, individuals from all places can come together in order to bounce off ideas from one another via the Internet. Although individuals from all over the world could just as well meet up in a traditional class and learn the same concepts and ideas that are being taught in an online course, talking to students online would require less work on the instructor’s part. Not only that, but by opting for online courses, individuals would be able to become much more modernized. What this means is that they would be adapting the kind of technological advances that are not available in today’s modernized world. By adopting these strategies and methods, it would be ensured that individuals do not fall behind in any and every aspect of life, not even the computer aspect. By being allowed to access their own classes though the Internet, individuals would become familiarized with the kind of potential that is available online.

 Due to the fact that technology is the future, online courses would make a lot of sense. Professors would not even have the responsibility of having to give off handouts because all of the information would be online. If a student were to ever be confused about a certain concept, he or she could call the instructor and the instructor would immediately be able to connect that certain individual with a person who thoroughly understands the subject.

 Online courses should be prioritized over traditional learning methods because of the many advantages it brings better time management, independency, and modernization. Once individuals come to realize all of the potential that is in online teaching; no one will ever want to go back to traditional teaching methods anymore. For that reason, it is vital that all individuals come to understand that online courses is the way to go because of its many advantages. Even if individuals are not crazy about the fact that technology is the future, then perhaps these individuals could be convinced to still opt for online teaching due to the crazy amount of opportunities that they have to offer. Despite the fact that many individuals will always prefer traditional teaching methods over online teaching methods, it is very important that the individuals come to understand absolutely everything that comes with online teaching. Of course, this is not to say that traditional teachings methods are bad (they have worked for years). However, the fact that the world has innovated tremendously ever since, individuals should come to the realization that it is a better idea to take online classes instead of having to waste so much time in traditional classes. If and when these individuals come to realize that it a better idea to take online courses, then is goes without a doubt that these individuals will never regret their choice, for they will be making a great investment in their education.

Works Cited

Bird, K. “Online vs. Traditional Education: The Answer You Never Expected.” N.p., Web. <http://www.rasmussen.edu/student-life/blogs/college-life/online-vs-traditional-education-answer-never-expected/>.

California State University–San Bernardino. N.p., Web. <http://www.naspaa.org/jpaemessenger/Article/VOL19-2/03_Ni.pdf>.

Drexel University. “How Do Employers View Online Degrees?” Drexel University Online – Accredited Online College Degrees & Online MBA Programs. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2015.

J, Carron. N.p., Web. <www.nyu.edu/classes/keefer/waoe/cjack.htm>.

Moore, M., and G. Kearsley. “Distance Education: A Systems View of Online Learning – Michael G. Moore, Greg Kearsley – Google Books.” N.p., Web. <https://books.google.com/books?

Northcentral University. “Online Education Versus Traditional Education | Northcentral University.” N.p., Web. <http://www.ncu.edu/why-northcentral/online-learning/learn-more>.

“Pros and Cons: Online Degrees Vs. Traditional Degrees | Ginkgotree.” Ginkgotree. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2015.