Is online learning as effective as Face-to-Face learning?

Pranikaa

The idea of teaching, or passing knowledge down through generations, has been around basically as long as humans have. Sure, a fair few things have changed since then-the subjects, the teachers, the exams. Our modern school system has come a long way. It’s changed, and grown, and changed some more. And it appears that it is changing once again. Is online learning really as effective as face-to-face learning?

Your automatic answer might be ‘no’. You might say that kids can’t learn by themselves, can’t stay focused and motivated. But the problem isn’t that they can’t work by themselves- it’s that they’ve never been allowed to. School is structured. There are bells and timings and deadlines and requirements. Students do the work that they have to and not much else. But in university, in workplaces, in life, that has to change. They have to be self-disciplined and self-motivated. They have to be independent. Online learning teaches them those skills. It teaches students how to manage their time, learn what they don’t know, ask for help. So yes, online learning is as effective as face-to-face learning. It teaches students the most important lesson of all- how to learn.

And that’s not the only extra learning they can do online. According to multiple sources (Forbes, Training Industry, Knowledge Anywhere, eLearning Industry, Simplilearn, SkillBuilder LMS, Paycom), a study by the American Institute of Research found that online learning increases retention rates by 25-60%, compared to the 8-10% retention rates of face-to-face learning. This is because online learning is more concise, interactive and visually stimulating.

Online learning is also more flexible, and lets students work at their own pace. If they already understand something, they don’t have to waste more time on it like they would have to in face-to-face learning, and if they don’t understand something, they can take as long studying it as they need! The resources are always available, and they can work through them whenever, wherever and however they want to, unlike face-to-face learning when teachers only say things once and they have to take notes on it.

So yes, face-to-face learning is the way it has always been. But that does not mean it is the way it always will be. Our world is constantly changing. New dangers arise, new technology is invented, new ways of life created.  With all these changes- the danger of coronavirus, the technology of Zoom and Google Classroom, the way of life of online learning, we continue to teach our children. We teach them as effectively as we can, and if the most effective way we can learn is online, why not embrace it? Why not teach them to be self-disciplined, to learn as much as they can and at their own pace? Why hold back the future leaders of our world?

Spogmai

Online learning and face-to-face learning both have their advantages and disadvantages. There are many reasons why online learning is not as effective as face to face learning. 

Social Interaction: In face to face learning, students can communicate easily with teachers and students to get instant help and make learning easier. Additionally, you can read the teacher’s body language, volume, tone, and gestures which help remember things better. Furthermore, distance learning makes learning harder especially for students who learn better when someone is talking to them rather than reading on their own. 

Discipline and motivation: Traditional learning also provides strict discipline which makes students focus on their learning. There is a proper schedule and routine, plus the classroom itself is motivating. Whereas online learning is more flexible, this turns out not so effective for students who don’t have a schedule plus motivation. Students have to use their abilities to stay on track and find motivation at home. Students who are disciplined live more confident and happier because they stick to their goal and achieve it. But this is not the case for everybody. It can be very frustrating and stressful for students who need extra support in terms of organization. 

Flexibility: Traditional learning is structured and doesn’t allow the student to leave things for later. Online learning has a downside of letting the students decide when to do the work which in most cases is a problem. Students keep procrastinating which leads to a burden of work, stressing the student and leading to low quality work. 

Health: Students who learn online will have social issues later in life. Lack of interaction and not being able to build the skill of communicating and connecting with others can lead to low self-esteem and fear of others. Loneliness can also lead to stress and other diseases, According to scientists, lack of social interaction is seen as a threat by the body and the body releases stress hormones to protect the person from danger. Unfortunately, your body can’t do that for a long time which causes cardiovascular diseases, high BP, and even in some cases, mortality. Moreover, confidence is the key to success in this world. 

Limitations: Not everything can be taught online. Subjects such as music, sports, theatre, sciences, all need to be taught practically. Being on campus for these kinds of subjects would help with the learning as there is access to equipment. Students won’t really be able to learn these kinds of subjects at home so they need to be on campus. 

To conclude, I think campus learning is far more advantageous than online learning. Its effectiveness and social benefits are what puts it in the lead. Online learning may be the better choice for some people but mostly face-to-face learning is the way to keep the student going.