Saturday, 18 November 2006

Onlie learning compared to Face-to-Face Learning, which is better?

Here is a topic for all to comment on. Which is better:
Online Learning - where a student or person, learns one or more subjects via the Internet.
OR
Face-to-Face Learning - where the student learns one or more subjects via attending classes at an institute or location where a Teacher / Lecturer / Instructor informs the student.

Granted, Online Learning does have it's benefits. Some include having the leisure to learn at one's own pace; the student does not have to leave their own home to study; the student can "attend" class whenever the student desires.
However, the disadvantages include such things as: the student can easily be distracted with other household duties; the lack of peer contact; if the student's computer breaks down, they then have no way to "attend" classes; and a major disadvantage is the student has to wait for a response from the Teacher / Lecturer / Instructor on questions, results and the like.
Where as Face-to-Face Learning, gives the student the opportunity to learn in an environment where the student can interact with fellow students. Which can benefit it more ways than just learning the subject - learn interactivity skills and how to act in public. The student has access to the Teacher / Lecturer / Instructor during and sometimes out of class times; the student has access to the institutes's equipment and resources; and a major benefit is that the student can interact with fellow students that maybe younger or even older that they are.
Some disadvantages of Face-to-Face Learning may include such things as having to go to a location on a daily basis, which may mean having to drive or take public transport everyday; having to rely on a Teacher / Lecturer / Instructor for class schedules, information, resources, etc; and of course, having to rely on the institutes's equipment that maybe unreliable, stolen (from the institute NOT the institute having stolen equipment), out-of-date or even not having enough for a class.

1 comment:

Mike Free said...

Hey, Read your blog and I might say my view is 50/50. I work faster without distraction of other students playing online games instead of working and usually I get more done late in the evening. However face-to-face is the way to go. This way you can immediately get answers from you teacher and eliminates down time. I think teaching involves being part of the student enviornment not just making tasks and uploading them for students to do when they have time. Mike Free.