Internet Classrooms vs. Traditional Classrooms

張貼日期：May 08, 2011 2:11:56 PM

Shen-Yun Hou

Now the Internet has been completely connected with the education system; therefore, Internet classrooms have become the newest virtual platform for students’ learning. In the past, traditional classrooms were the only access to which students received knowledge. They went to school, listened to the teacher and took notes. However, with the help of the Internet, Internet classrooms provide students a more convenient and efficient way of learning than traditional classrooms do. We do not have to go to school, but we still can get the general and professional knowledge. In my opinion, although Internet classrooms are more convenient than traditional classrooms, these two types of classroom, in fact, have their own advantages and I think students should study in traditional classrooms.

Let’s talk about Internet classrooms first. Why are Internet classrooms so popular now? Because the Internet not only offers students a lot of information but also other functions such as blogs, chatting rooms or instant messages. Students can share their ideas or thoughts on the blog and discuss questions with their teachers and classmates on the forum or through the chatting room. If students run into something they do not understand, they can google it and copy online information immediately. In addition, the online education is regarded as a less expensive way for learning. Students who join virtual classrooms do not have to go to school and they can save much money such as bus fare, food or other expenses.

By contrast, traditional classrooms are quite different from Internet classrooms. In the traditional classroom, students have to focus on their teachers and take notes at the same time. They cannot use computers to search information and copy down their findings from the Internet. Although traditional classrooms are not as good as Internet classrooms, I still prefer the former. There are so many things that students cannot learn from the Internet classroom, for example, communication skills, moral education, etiquette and how to get along with teachers and classmates. That is why I support traditional classrooms. Probably a student can learn more professional and profound knowledge from the Internet, but he or she may not realize some real-life experience through Internet classrooms. It is impossible to get this from the virtual environment.

Finally, I know Internet classrooms have become the newest and efficient way of learning and I believe that there are more and more people who will join the online education in the future. However, I think we cannot totally give up all the opportunities of learning in the traditional classroom. We should strike a balance between the two and make a better learning environment for ourselves.