Internet Classrooms vs. Traditional Classrooms

張貼日期：May 13, 2011 6:20:5 AM

Samantha Huang

Nowadays, we have a kind of classrooms which is very different from the traditional classroom. We call it “the Internet classroom.” Because of the existing of the Internet classrooms, people start to talk about which is better for students to learn things. There are two voices about this issue. Some people support the traditional classroom, and the others think that the Internet classroom is better. As a student, I start to think about the question: which is better for students, the traditional classroom or the Internet classroom?

First, let’s talk about the traditional classroom. People who think that the traditional classroom is better say it can offer more opportunities for students to ask questions. Asking questions is one of common situations for students when they are learning. Every time when we have confusion about the course, we can ask our teachers for help. In my opinion, that is the most useful way to solve the problem and learn things. However, there is also a weakness about traditional classrooms. Because we are distracted sometimes, it will cause us to miss some parts the teacher teaches. We cannot listen to the crucial part repeatedly so many students will choose to forgo that part or even the whole course on the day. Giving any part of courses up is really a terrible situation for learning.

How about the Internet classroom? Supporters of the Internet classroom think that this kind of classrooms can overcome the weakness of traditional classrooms. They say that Internet classrooms can let students study courses anytime and anywhere. Therefore, they deem that the Internet classroom is better than traditional classrooms. However, this kind of classrooms also has its weakness. In the Internet classrooms, students learn new courses by watching videos. So when we have some questions, we are not able to ask teachers right away. After watching one course, we may accumulate lots of problems about that course. Consequently, we will have to ask teachers many questions at a time. It is very inconvenient not only for students but also for teachers and the effect on learning will decrease.

Both these two classrooms have their own strengths and weaknesses. It is not easy for us to decide which is the better one for students. So we should discuss this issue from many sides and find out which is the appropriate one for students. As a student, I like the traditional classroom more than the new kind of classrooms. Although I can learn anytime and anywhere in the Internet classrooms, I prefer to solve the questions that I have for courses right away. So I am in favor of the traditional classroom.