Educational Myth #5: ONLINE Learning Should Be Used More Because It’s Better At Educating The 21st Century Learners
by Oskar Cymerman @focus2achieve
ONLINE LEARNING VS. TRADITIONAL LEARNING
Does online (distance/web-based) learning work? If so, is it a better academic medium? Does it lead to more learning?
These are some of the questions I want to answer for myself and for all of you wondering about this sometimes-controversial topic. With the proliferation of online “schooling,” beginning with more and more traditional institutions, such as K-12 schools and colleges, offering more and more online courses, and ending with new, exclusively online schools, non-profits, and corporate organizations seemingly popping up every day, it is easy to conclude that if the instruction is delivered via the world wide web it must be better than the brick-and-mortar way of educating.
Does it work?
It can, but it might not.
For a sophisticated learner, online learning may be just what the doctor ordered as it allows more flexibility. For many others, especially the K-12 students, trying to learn while sitting in front of the computer screen ends up disheartening and detrimental to their success, as they find the coursework more difficult and more time-consuming.
One of the most ubiquitous myths about online learning is that it is easy, or at least easier than classroom learning. Many students fall into the trap of thinking that they can drop a tough high school course and do it online or resolve to complete a web-based college degree thinking it will be less time-consuming and stress free.
Many colleges and universities, including UNLV, report that online courses offer the same rigor and expectations as face-to-face classes. While flexible and convenient, online courses have deadlines and due dates for completing assigned reading, projects, and other activities.
In fact, when comparing face-to-face and online education, either coursework might be more difficult than the other, depending on the reading, instructors, projects, and assessments a student must complete.
So, a student expecting an “easy ride” in an online class is in for a rude awakening.
I have experienced this first hand as someone who has taken online college courses and as an online credit recovery facilitator in my school. All of the classes I completed via the web required discipline and major time commitment and the same is proving to be the case for the high school students I work with. Out of the 51 enrolled in online credit recovery courses 14 made any progress, and out of those only a few are on track to actually receive credit.
What I learned is that online education:
· is not for everyone and not a sensible option for struggling or at-risk pupils.
· requires a well-developed learning skill set that includes strong reading and writing skills, self-motivation, independence, and good time management.
Is it better?
To put it succinctly: the two models of learning are different.
Rigor is essential in the traditional classroom and is equally important online, as it leads to the understanding, knowledge, applications, skills, and competencies that are required for academic success. Institutions and organizations that offer online education claim the expectations and content are the same as in the physical classroom, and that flexibility students have is not synonymous with lack of rigor.
In a nutshell: While students can pick the times they choose to work on the online class content, there are deadlines they have to meet and learning objectives they must accomplish to successfully satisfy credit requirements.
I compiled a table of PROS AND CONS OF WEB-BASED LEARNING below to take a closer look of what a learner might encounter and should expect while completing on-line coursework.
PROS AND CONS OF ONLINE EDUCATION
Does it lead to more learning?
Answering this question requires to again look at the student and what I call his learning sophistication. As there is very little “hand-holding” in an online environment, the pupil has a much greater responsibility for his own learning.
Therefore, an independent, organized, and motivated strong reader has the potential to “get more out” of online learning than he would by being “stuck” in a face-to-face classroom.
However, a pupil who struggles with decision-making, needs frequent problem-solving instruction, or requires help with organization and time-management will likely experience many barriers to content and skill mastery.
So What’s The Verdict?
There is nothing wrong with online education when it is done well. There is nothing wrong with traditional education when it is done well.
Both models have their advantages and disadvantages.
The quality of instruction and student outcomes is essentially the same; so much so, that the phrase: “no significant difference” has become the comparison paradigm between web-based and classical learning.
Sometimes, a learner is better suited for online education. Sometimes he does not possess the necessary skills and habits to survive and thrive in an online environment.
AND FOR THOSE REASONS, WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT AND IMPROVE BOTH :-)
What are your thoughts on online vs. traditional learning? Do you have any personal stories you can share? Please comment below and let’s get the conversation going. Remember: You have the power. Use it.
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