Internet Classrooms vs Traditional Classrooms

張貼日期：Jun 20, 2011 7:28:48 AM

Tai-Jen Kuo

In the information era, going to school is not the only way to get education anymore. If you have children, what kind of education would you choose for them? No matter what ways you choose, the way which is suitable for your children should be the best way for learning. Here, I will compare two major styles of learning environments: Internet classrooms and traditional classrooms.

One of the most obvious differences between them is the flexibility of taking courses. In traditional classrooms, for instance, in junior high school, a course takes about 50 minutes. And junior high students have to take courses from 8:10 am to 5:00 pm. There is only a ten-minute break between courses. In contrast, students learning through Internet classrooms can arrange their courses flexibly. They do not have to take 50 minutes long courses. Besides, they also do not learn from morning to evening. Through Internet classrooms students can arrange their learning schedules more flexibly and learn more efficiently.

Another difference between traditional classrooms and Internet classrooms is the place of learning. In the past we had classes in the classrooms where desks and chairs are orderly placed. However, we don’t have to stay in classrooms for learning through the Internet. We can learn everywhere by surfing the Net. No matter we are in coffee shops, fast food restaurants, or libraries, as long as we can get access to the Internet, it is a piece of cake to get information about what we need.

The last difference between these two modes of education is the ambiance of the environments. In traditional classrooms, students take courses with classmates. Sometimes a teacher will divide students into groups, and they can discuss with each other. Generally, this kind of education is livelier and more interesting. In contrast, students will feel bored or lonely when they take courses in Internet classrooms. They have classes alone and only listen to the teachers’ instruction. Students can only listen to and ask the teachers questions in class. They do not have flexible ways of learning like the students in traditional classrooms who can have face-to-face discussions with their classmates.

Although it is hard to decide which learning mode is better, to know which one is suitable for you is more important. Some people are used to learning in traditional classrooms, but others may prefer to learn in the Internet classroom. If you still have no idea of your best learning way, maybe it’s time for you to figure out which way of learning is the best for you.