Comparison/Contrast - Essay Example

The audience for this paper is college or college-bound who may be wondering whether to take online or on-ground es. This essay will compare and contrast online and on-ground classes to show the similarities and differences as well as some advantages and disadvantages of each so that readers can make an informed decision about which type of class to take. Online vs. On-Ground Classes Your Name School Online vs. On-ground Classes One of the influences of technology on education is the availability of online classes.

Although the differences in time management and motivation are significant, many features of the two types of classes remain the same. In order for the online classes to be accredited, they must present the same material as on-ground classes. Classroom presentations, such as power point and videos, can be the same, and some professors make video lectures for their online classes. Students in online courses may not be able to go to the professor’s office to get individual help, but they can contact the professor via email at any time.

Group discussions are also available online in chat rooms set up by the professor at specific times. Even though there are many similarities between online and on-ground classes, the differences are significant. The most convenient feature of on-ground classes is that students can attend at any time of the day or night. This is a major factor for people who have families and/or jobs. This positive point may be offset by a negative point for some people who are not self-motivated, however. Another characteristic of online classes is that almost all communication is done by writing.

This includes discussion and other class input that would otherwise be done orally in the on-ground classroom. For shy people or those who need extra time to think about their responses, this could be an asset, but for people who are not good writers, this could be a drawback. In the same vein, test-taking could be more stressful for online students because of the format. Usually, the tests are objective and strictly timed. If students don’t understand a question on the test, they cannot just ask the professor for clarification.

When time is up, the computerized test will not allow any more answers to be checked. Lastly, the camaraderie that develops among students in the on-ground classroom is probably missing in online classes. It is possible to chat and email with classmates, but that is not the same as making friends, greeting them when they enter the classroom, and arranging study sessions with them. In conclusion, the information learned in an online classroom and in many ways the teaching methods used to impart that information is virtually the same as in an on-ground classroom.

The convenience of being able to attend according to one’s own schedule is a major difference, as is the self-motivation needed to be successful in online classes. Along with this convenience of self-arranged scheduling, however, comes the lack of sociability connected with on-ground classes. References University of Connecticut Instructional Design and Development Guide for Online Students (2011) “Is Online for Me?” Retrieved from http://itl.uconn.edu/studentguide/SH_Classroom_vs_Online.html