Two Mediums in Relation to Traditional Classroom and Virtual Instruction - Case Study Example

Running head: Online s and traditional rooms Compare and Contrast: Online s versus Traditional rooms (school) Online Courses versus Traditional Classrooms Introduction In the current age where almost everything can be transacted or carried out online, it is perhaps an inevitable fact that the classroom has also gone online. Lessons and classes are now launched in the virtual world where interactions between and among teachers and students are conducted via webcams and instant messaging services. The traditional classrooms however remain the dominant medium of instruction in the academic scene. This paper shall now compare and contrast these two types of instruction particularly noting the advantages and disadvantages of these two mediums in relation to traditional classroom and virtual instruction. Discussion The online courses or online education media are akin to distance learning; in effect it is about taking school courses without being in a solid, four-walled classroom (Price, n.d). In this case, the interaction of the students and teachers is through the internet and such interaction may be considered as synchronous when the teacher and the student have direct contact by meeting at a chat room simultaneously for a discussion (Price, n.d). It may also be asynchronous when the teacher and the student do not meet at the same time through a chat room, the ‘meetings’ may be carried out through emails and uploaded assignments (Price, n.d). On the other hand, the traditional classroom learning is carried out in a brick-and-mortar classroom with face to face interaction between and among the students and teachers. The instructions and discussions are carried out personally and within the classroom environment with the other students present. Moreover, such interactions are carried out within particular times and places which the students and teachers have to attend and be physically present in. Traditional classrooms give students the responsibility of showing up at a regular time and place (Wenzel, 2007). A student knows that in order for him to learn his lessons, to take a test, and submit his assignments, he has to attend class at a particular time and place. This set-up is rarely, if at all, flexible and if the student does not follow this set-up then he can fall behind in the lessons, may miss quizzes, tests, and fail to submit assignments (Wenzel, 2007). For online courses, there is more freedom for both the teacher and the student. They are not restricted or tied down by class schedules and by the four walls of the classroom. Students do not have to be present at a particular time or place in order to learn, take quizzes, tests, or to submit assignments. All they need is an internet connection and they can learn their lessons, submit their assignments, and take examinations anytime and anywhere (Wenzel, 2007). They can get jobs; go to work; take care of their families; go shopping; or stay in the comfort of their homes and still be students. The student can choose the number of hours he allocates for his studies and he can pace himself in the learning process based on his availability and capacity for learning. In online courses, the more practical considerations of learning – such as spending gas money, commuting through bad weather, and similar physical barriers to learning – do not bar students from learning and from submitting their assignments or taking their examinations (Wenzel, 2007). Some students may find this advantageous because they do not have to deal with the daily physical challenges of going to school; however, the lazier and less devoted students may see this to be disadvantageous because they do not have the excuse of traffic or a blizzard in failing to attend classes and submit assignments. Nevertheless, Wenzel (2007) emphasizes that online courses can be cheaper for many students because of their decreased travel expenses – gas money and parking fees alone are already added expenses to students which makes education a difficult and expensive enterprise. There is a significant amount of personal interaction and socialization between and among the teachers and students in the traditional classroom atmosphere. Since the teachers and students see, speak, and interact with each other on a daily basis, they also often form friendships and bonds (Wenzel, 2007). The social interactions also form part of the learning process for most students who learn how to properly discuss topics and issues; how to brainstorm; how to debate; and how to politely and respectfully express their ideas (Wenzel, 2007). These social interactions cannot however be seen in the online courses because there is limited social interaction between and among teachers and students. Most students in online courses never even get to personally meet their teachers and/or ‘classmates’ (Wenzel, 2007). In effect, these students do not learn the more practical lessons of socialization which they may later need in their careers as managers or as subordinates. Another difference between online courses and traditional classroom learning is the fact that in online courses a student has more time to organize his thoughts, to reflect on answers and on the responses of other students. Being able to respond through chat forums can relieve students’ anxiety about school and allows them to focus on the lesson or the material being discussed (Education Portal, 2010). The students’ writing skills can also be potentially improved through this medium of instruction because they mostly submit their answers in written formats (Education Portal, 2010). In contrast, the traditional classroom setting calls on the student to be alert at all times, to quickly organize his thoughts, and to think on his feet (Education Portal, 2010). Moreover, the student’s speaking and verbal ability skills are nurtured and improved through the traditional classroom medium. One of the most important differences between these two types of learning is the teacher’s role as guide and as assistant in the learning process. In the traditional classroom setting, the teacher is there to guide the learner in each step of the learning process. He is there to facilitate the learning process and to assist the student in his lessons (Cook, 2010). The teacher is even there to assist students gain technological savvy, especially in relation to the use of computers, to send emails, and to use the internet (Cook, 2010). This assistance is also available in the online medium; however, it is less personal. The interaction between the student and the teacher for instructional assistance is done through phone calls emails, and instant messaging. There are rarely any, if at all, personal hands-on instructions given to students by their teachers in online courses (Cook, 2010). Conclusion The traditional classroom setting requires the students to attend classes at a particular date, time, and place. In contrast, online learning can be conducted any time and at any place based on the teachers and/or students convenience. The traditional learning calls for the student’s discipline and attention in attending classes and in participating in classroom activities. On the other hand, online learning allows the students to learn at their own pace and to participate in online discussions with classmates while taking their time and while reflecting on their answers. The traditional classroom set-up allows the students to socialize more and to build-up their skills in interacting with other people – skills that they would usually need in their future work environment. On the other hand, online courses allow students to improve their writing and analytical skills, allowing them to be more thoughtful in their responses. Finally, traditional learning allows the students to personally seek the teachers’ assistance and guidance in his lessons; in the online learning medium, the student is usually left to figure things out on his own with occasional assistance from his teacher through phone calls, instant messaging, and emails. Works Cited Cook, J. (n.d) Compare Online Vs. Classroom. eHow. Retrieved 10 August 2010 from http://www.ehow.com/facts_5809242_compare-online-vs_-classroom.html Education Portal (2010) The differences between online and traditional classroom educations. Education-Portal.com. Retrieved 10 August 2010 from http://education-portal.com/articles/The_Differences_Between_Online_and_Traditional_Classroom_Educations.html Price, J. (n.d) Definition of Online Education. eHow. Retrieved 10 August 2010 from http://www.ehow.com/about_6600628_definition-online-education.html Wenzel, J. (2007) Pros and Cons of Online Courses vs. a Traditional Classroom. Association Content. 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