Online education versus traditional education: Pros and Cons

Online education versus traditional education: Pros and Cons

Achieving a higher education, universities have made it possible to students to have different options to earn a degree. Students can choice between attending online classes or traditional classroom classes, whichever one is more suitable to their lifestyles. When a student is evaluating the classes with one another, there are factors to take into consideration, such as the comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of each class. Online classes can increase flexibility and the convenience of completing school compared to traditional classroom classes.

One of the most advantage of the online education is flexibility. Students with a busy schedule, have the flexibility to create their own pace to complete their academic responsibilities, and to meet the deadlines of the class. In addition to this, time management will be a key element of an online student. The student has to take into account when to schedule for class participation, weekly assignments, and when to go through the course material. It will take self-discipline and self-motivation by the student actually to log into his or her online class platform, and dedicate the necessary time to meet the requirements.

Nevertheless, students have reported that procrastination is one of the problems, they are struggling with. Students are thinking that they have still enough time to complete the assignments, yet result in rushing through assignments and not put all the time, and effort into their work as they would have by staying on schedule. Furthermore, Students and teachers’ communication and interaction varies in many aspects when attending online classes, in contrast to traditional class. A student and teacher relationship is only able to be through today’s technology, for instant Smartphone’s, e-mails, or via Skype. There is no face-to face interaction

When it comes to traditional education, one of the most plausible aspect of a traditional classroom environment is that the student can focus on their academic work, without any other influences or interruptions. Students become more responsible for him or herself when to cover the class material, review resources, and when to set deadlines to post in the discussion form, and to submit the homework, and other assignments. In addition, the ability of face-to face time with a teacher in traditional education provides a student immediate feedback, and asked questions are being answered directly and quick.

On the contrary, There’s no flexibility in traditional education to create a personal calendar in order to combine studies and personal or work life. Furthermore, it demands higher costs not only of money but also of time. For example, If the classroom is far, student have to spend extra money for transport, time is also a factor to take into account.

In conclusion, both traditional and online education has sufficient pros and cons. What type of class to attend, to ensure academic success, depends on students themselves, yet each student should take the time to evaluate the advantages, and disadvantages of either option; online education or traditional education.