Online education vs. traditional classroom

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. Earning a degree can benefit a person to gain a better carrier choice, or to enhance his or her current knowledge. Overcoming the demands of life situations, and to be focusing on education can become very difficult. Going to college for the first time or are a returning student can be overwhelming.

Each student will have to make a decision for him o herself; there will be no wrong choice when making the decision between the two. 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.

Online classes lets the students decide, when they are working on their course material and assignments.

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. 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.

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. One of the online classes advantage, is the students’ flexibility to log in, whenever it is convenient to them, yet universities are tracking a student’s class participation throughout the course.

Each university has there on policy on how to take accountability for the students’ participation. “University of Phoenix” policy on participation for example, is for the student to log in four times a week (at any given time) and make two posts on each of the days. The students have the opportunity to create any schedule, to meet his or her needs; this also provides the students with the ability to log in from anywhere as long they have a computer with online capabilities. In contrast, traditional classrooms have a structured environment by attending a classroom setting. The students have set times to be in class, and the instructor controls the pace of the class. The advantage of a traditional classroom environment is that the student can focus on their academic work, without any other influences or interruptions.

In comparison with an online class, students’ success is depending on time management as well. It does not matter, which class setting a student is choosing, time management is a very important key element of successes in college. A student needs to make time for homework, research, and class assignments. In contrast to online classes, traditional class the instructor of the class enforces the syllabus, and class requirements. Students of a traditional classroom class than has to focus on, when to conduct his or her research for the class, and when to complete the homework for the following day. In an online class the student is 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. Online classes and traditional classroom class have equally the same classes available, yet there may be a few class a student would not be able to take online, for example biology, or chemistry.

Another factor, when deciding between online, and traditional classroom classes is the involvement and the communication between students and teachers. Students and teachers communication and interaction varies in many aspects when attending online classes, in contrast to traditional class. A student/teacher relationship is only able to be through today’s technology, for instant Smartphone’s, e-mails, or via Skype (if applicable). There is no face-to face interaction compared to a traditional classroom. The ability of face-to face time with a teacher provides a student immediate feedback, and asked questions are being answered directly and quick. Another benefit of face-to face time, is that the students are developing social skills, and enhance there skill of speaking in public because a student is forced to interact. The social interaction creates new networks among the students, for example study groups or support groups, where students can share their experiences.

Taking an online class the social interaction is limited; the students will have to gain knowledge to use technology to communicate with the teachers and other students. Online students are from all over the world; this gives a student the opportunity to get to know other cultures and customs. The online student would have to stay digital connected to other students. With today’s advanced technology, new spectrums of learning and earning a degree are being created. Online libraries and expanded researches by accessing the Internet, reduces research time, and students can complete assignments more efficiently. On the other hand, some students may not attend online classes because of the lack of knowledge of technology or do not have access to the Internet. Others prefer to do the research in the more traditional way, by visiting the campus library, and read books and magazines to receive the information they require. What class, will be more cost effective, is another decision a student has to make.

The financial aspect, on which academic path to choose from can depend by the following objectives; cost of classes, resource fees, financial aid, and scholarships availability. Traditional classroom classes can be more costly rather than online classes because the university has to maintain the campus and the classrooms, which is raising the tuition fees. Resource material will are lower or even eliminated, when attending online classes because the material is most likely retrieved online. Universities, which are offering online classes, are supplying e-books; students will not have to worry about rising textbook fees. Online classes receive similar funds as traditional classroom classes.

A comparison of traditional- and online class the financial aspect stays the same, students of either class attends are eligible for financial aid and scholarships. As a student, investing his or her money wisely is very important; investing into an education is like investing into him or herself. College will be an amazing experience for an individual; it will open new doors and will provide the person with a sense of accomplishment. What type of class to attend, to ensure the academic success, depends on students themselves, yet a new or returning student should take the time to evaluate the advantages, and disadvantages of either option; online class or traditional classroom class.

Resources
Differences and similarities of online- vs. traditional classes were
retrieved from: http://itl.uconn.edu/studentguide/SH_Classroom_vs_Online.html, http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/similarities-between-taking-classes-online-campus-4755.html,http://educationportal.com/articles/The_Differences_Between_Online_and_Traditional_Classroom_Educations.html and http://bestonlineuniversities.com/key-differences-between-online-learning-and-traditional-campus-based-classes/