Online vs. Traditional Learning Online

Online vs. Traditional Learning Online Learning vs. Traditional Learning With the advent of technology, the way learning is conducted, both in and out of school, has changed dramatically. There are classes, for example, and even entire school curricula that students can completely fully online. Gone are the days when one had to go to the classroom in person to turn in an essay, for instance, and most of this is now conducted online for convenience as well as for plagiarism-checking's sake.

In other words, with the advent of technology, many universities have seen a book in online learning. Yet few have conducted studies on whether online learning is superior or even as effective as traditional, on the ground, in classroom, learning. This paper will aim to prove that online learning does not even begin to compare and does not bring about the benefits rendered by traditional learning, which remains a more superior form of learning.

For the purposes of this paper online learning, or e-learning, will be defined as follows: "[…] the creation and proliferation of the personal computer, the globalization of ideas and other human acts, and the use of technology in exchanging ideas and providing access to more people. Audio, video, computer, and networking technologies are often combined [in this type of learning] to create a multifaceted instructional delivery system.

The fundamental method to unite the distance learning instructor with the distance learner is the network […]" As one can see from the above definition, for online learning to work properly all of the components related to technology, namely audio, video, and the internet must work well in order for the student to achieve the most beneficial outcome. For this, one must have high speed internet, especially if the class involves real-time instruction or participation on the part of either party.

Yet it is in this need for everything to work properly at any given time that online learning disappoints. In addition to lacking the face-to-face interaction, and the ability of students to ask questions in real-time (as the internet may sometimes be slow), online learning, or distance learning, is often chosen by a population that may not necessarily afford to go to college, and is thus also unable to afford the highest of technological internet advances.

While this statement is untrue for many of those choosing online learning, it is a facet that must be taken into account when studying the phenomenon. The reason traditional learning is though as superior to online learning is because it has worked for hundreds of years. Traditional learning is defined as instruction in a classroom, in person, or 'on the ground.' This is learning as was conducted throughout history, as mentioned above.

Though traditional learning is not dependent on technology, it utilizes technology in order to supplement various learning techniques. The reason traditional learning is hypothesized to be more efficient in this case is because of the fact that it can eliminate the components that may not function well in online learning, described above.

The proponents of online learning, however, argue that it is much more efficient, as students are still able to turn in assignments and ask questions, but that it enables those at a distance to still fulfill their classroom obligations and learn despite being unable to attend class in person. The opponents of such learning, however, or the advocates of traditional learning, maintain that interaction with a professor, and with other students, is actually part of learning, and that this interaction can lead to questions and thoughts, and further research even.

With online learning, such interaction is sorely missed. The opponents of online learning further state: "Great as all this sounds, the trend towards online learning raises the question of just how effective online education is compared to traditional education. According to a recent study conducted by SRI International for the U.S. Department of Education, online learners perform slightly better than students in traditional face-to-face classrooms. The study analyzed research that compared online and conventional learning at institutions.