Online vs Traditional Learning

Online and traditional learning are the two teaching models. Though the online teaching model is a newer one, mankind has been practicing the traditional model since time immemorial. In the traditional teaching model, students attend a class where a teacher teaches them by delivering his lecture. The task of students is to communicate with the lecture of the teacher. They listen to the lecture, try to understand it, make notes, and ask the teacher to clarify their understanding. However, the reality is that all the students in the class cannot receive the benefit equally, because all of them cannot be equally capable of dealing with the pace of their teacher's lecture. As class time is limited, the teacher has to go at a certain pace. But some students are always there who think that they need more time to understand the topic their class is dealing with. Surely, it is not possible for a teacher to pay attention to every student in the class. However, the emergence of online classes facilitates students to learn in their own way. Supplementary resources and explanations are always available online in different formats. Students can re-read, listen to audio and watch videos as many times as they can. This is how they find themselves actively involved in studies and become autonomous learners. They do not have to depend on their teacher for collecting information or notes. Online learning is also cheaper than traditional learning. They only need an internet connection with the device, be it a computer, laptop, or mobile. Sometimes, though learners are to buy courses online, the cost is much lesser than a traditional learner spends on tuition fees, buying books, and transportation costs. Moreover, online learning also saves time because an online learner does not need to go anywhere. Everything is available on the screen. Furthermore, though online learning is devoid of face-to-face interaction that is necessary for developing social and interpersonal skills, online learning can ensure access to social media where students can get connected with teachers and experts and share their doubts and comments. Besides, teachers can easily evaluate students by collecting assignments or taking exams online that the teacher can check on his mobile phone at any time from anywhere. However, too much dependence on online learning can make a learner lethargic and unsocial. Therefore, a balance between online and traditional learning should exist side by side to ensure a balanced education.