Online vs Traditional Education - Essay Example

Running header: online education and traditional education Students name: Instructor’s name: Subject code: Date of submission: Introduction Online education and traditional education Globalization of online environmental communication has influenced all the sectors of human activity with education as a personal and professional training undergoing the same trends. Development of online education as an alternative to traditional education has resulted in different perceptions among the different players in the education sector –teachers and students with some advocating for online education while others prefer traditional education. But which is better- traditional or online education? To answer this question, I will compare the two forms of education from the perspectives of cost, availing of level playing ground, research findings among others. I will argue that online education is better than traditional education since it leads to reduction of cost, it avails level playing ground for all players and it is economical in terms of both time and space although it requires acquisition of computer usage skills. Online education is a major liberation from the barriers of time and space that characterize traditional education. This is an inherent advantage of online education over the traditional classroom education that is present even in the most primitive form of online education prevalent today –the video of a teacher on a web page. Online education is synchronous implying that it is free of the traditional education restrictions of both time and space. Unlike in traditional education, students can receive teaching (instructions) where and when they might consider necessary. Virtual online classes can be viewed from anywhere in the world provided that there is internet connectivity (Bender, 2003, 32). It eliminates the need to travel or residing in a given place at a particular time. Online education takes place at the learner’s time of convenience and hence it has eliminated the headaches of being unable to find class rooms or getting to the class late. Elimination of time and space barriers for example has enabled many working persons to go back to school without necessarily having to go for study leave. This is because they are able to access instruction (their classes) after when their working hours (Broadbent, 2002). This is something that might not be possible with traditional education which must be attended at particular times and places. Furthermore, students are able to log on to study when they are most alert and receptive. They are also able to learn in an environment of their choosing which they find most conducive for learning (either alone or in groups) unlike in traditional education where the learner has little choice as to where to take his/her studies. Furthermore, online students are able to set their study schedule according to their individual needs. The flexibility makes online learning an ideal choice for working people, parents with small children and other family commitments and people who travel on regular basis. This is because they are able to decide where and when to study provided they have computers and internet access. Online classroom is available for 24 hours a day, 7 days each week (Bullen, and Diane, 2007, 65). Online education is less costly and hence more economic than traditional education. Online education is in many instances more affordable than education in traditional learning environment. Online education leads to obvious savings on transport costs like bus passes and parking fees. It also eliminates the need for expensive housing and meal plans associated with traditional education. Tuition costs also vary greatly among the online learning institutions (Bender, 2003, 45). Upon making the decision on the field of study, one is able to compare costs of comparable programs online. Unlike in traditional education where most of the time one needs to buy expensive text books, one is able to download free resource information required directly from the internet in the case of online education. All these savings make online education to be far less expensive than traditional education (Broadbent, 2002). Furthermore, most online programs generally charge lesser fees than traditional education institutions despite the fact that they also offer financial packages such as loans and grants just like the traditional learning institutions. Online education provides a level playing ground for all learners unlike traditional education which is prone to bias. Although the subject of provision of level playing ground has always being ignored when discussing online education, it has definitely played a major role in enhancing the popularity of online education. Students who enroll for online education retain considerable amounts of anonymity unlike in traditional education (Bullen and Diane, 2007, 72). In traditional education, many factors such as physical appearance, race, gender, age, and disability have at times been used to discriminate against certain students by their teachers. However, this is not possible in the case of online education since the relationship between the teachers and the student is maintained at that level. Online students therefore find this accepting and liberating atmosphere much liberating. This has the effect of empowering those students who would otherwise be more aloof in a traditional education setting to give their opinions and thoughts in an online discussion with no fear of bias or being prejudiced that may characterize a live classroom discussion (Gonzalez, 2009, 302). In online learning, one is able to set his or her own learning pace unlike in traditional education where the pace is predetermined by the system (teacher centered). Online education offers learners the flexibility to learn at the pace they are contented with and their individual situations (Hannum, 2001). For example, students pursuing online degrees can decide the amount of time they will commit to earning their degrees. With the increased availability of online learning opportunities, the average time one takes to finish a degree program has been lowered to 2-3 years as opposed to the 4 years it takes in the case of a traditional education institution (WorldwideLearn. (n.d). In online education, students are always in control of their learning in issues such as how many courses to take during a session and the overall amount of time they want to commit to finish the program regardless of the online education program they chose to enroll in (Henderson, Stephanie and James, 2001,340). For example, if a student’s situation changes along the way due to such reasons as family or work related issues, he or she can slow or speed up the learning process as needed according to his/her desires. One thing that may make traditional education better than online education is that it does not require technological knowhow. In online education, the student must have a reliable access to a computer that has internet connectivity before they can enroll to study online. This is disadvantageous for people in less developed countries where there is less than adequate internet access (Hoadley, and Fengfeng, 2009, 500). If a student’s time online is limited by the amount of internet access he can afford, then his participation in an online program will be severely limited and success hampered. Furthermore, both the student and instructors have to have basic computer knowledge so as to be successful in online environment. They have to be able to use various search engines and be comfortable in navigating on the World Wide Web. Failure to have such knowledge will greatly hamper a student’s success in an online program. If a student is uncomfortable with the latest computer technology and is resistant to change, then online education program may not work for her/him (Learn.Source.com (n.d). This is because online students are required to learn new skills such as doing online research and reviewing from various resources from the internet. If updating one-self with the latest computer technology and using the knowledge on a consistent basis to complete assignments does not appeal to a student, he/she might be forced to consider enrolling in a more traditional education program (Schmeeckle, 250, 2003). Traditional education gives students a chance to socialize unlike online education where the student doesn’t meet with others. In a classroom setting, students are able to learn and socialize with their peers (Tallent, Mary, William, Sandi, Terence, Shana and Xiaoming, L.2006). The instructor also teaches the students many life skills that can not be learned through technology. Therefore, the students learn better socially and academically in a traditional setting through interacting with their peers which make them pay more focus and learn. Since human beings are social creatures, a student can not just stay secluded and educate himself. Furthermore, an instructor teaches many other skills besides lecture materials. Students therefore develop skills such as punctuality and good study habits. Furthermore, some courses can not be taught in an online environment. This is because they require practical experience that can only be gained in a traditional education setting. Such courses include the scientific courses like medicine or engineering that would require observation in order for the student to know what is expected of him (eLearners.com. (n.d.). Conclusion From the discussion above, it has been established that traditional education does not require the students to posses certain technological skills such as computer usage unlike in online education. Traditional education also accords learners an opportunity to socialize. However, online education has been found to have several advantages over traditional education. Therefore, it is clear why I think online education is better than traditional education. This has been shown by the fact that online education removes the barriers of time and space that characterize traditional education, it is cheaper than traditional education and it provides a level playing ground for all learners unlike traditional education. Furthermore, online education gives students the flexibility of setting their own learning pace. References: Bender, Tisha (2003) Discussion-based online teaching to enhance student learning: theory, practice, and assessment. Stylus Publishing, LLC. Broadbent, B. (2002). ABCs of e-learning: reaping the benefits and avoiding the pitfalls. USA: Jossey-Bass. Bullen, M., & Diane, P. J. (2007) Making the Transition to E-learning: strategies and issues. USA: Information Science Publishing. Gonzalez, C. (2009). Conceptions of, and Approaches to, Teaching Online: A Study of Lecturers Teaching Postgraduate Distance Courses. Higher Education, 57(3). pp. 299-314. Hannum, W. (2001). Professional Development for Teaching Online. Retrieved August 25, 2010, from http://technologysource.org/article/professional_development_for_teaching_online/. Henderson, J. C., Stephanie, W. S.,& James, B. T. (2001). Understanding "Strategic Learning": Linking Organizational Learning, Knowledge Management, and Sense making. Organization Science, 12(3) pp. 331-345. Hoadley, C., & Fengfeng, K., (2009). Evaluating Online Learning Communities. Educational Technology Research and Development. 57(4) pp. 487-510. Learn.Source.com (n.d). Benefits and Disadvantages of online Learning. Retrieved July, 2008, from http://www.learn-source.com/schools/pro_con_online.html Schmeeckle, J. M. (2003). Online Training: An Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Training Law Enforcement Personnel over the Internet. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 12(3). pp. 205-260. Tallent., Mary, K., T, William, Y. L., Sandi, C., Terence, C. A., Shana M. S., & Xiaoming, L.(2006). Teaching Courses Online: A Review of the Research. Review of Educational Research, 76 (1). pp. 93-135. eLearners.com. (n.d.) .What are the pros and cons of online education? Retrieved August 25, 2010, from http://www.elearners.com/guide/faq-glossary/elearning-faq/what-are-the- pros-and-cons-of-online-education/ . WorldwideLearn. (n.d).Benefits of Elearning Retrieved August, 26 2010 from http://www.worldwidelearn.com/elearning-essentials/elearning-benefits.htm Read More