Not too long ago, most schools were doing face-to-face lessons. However, after COVID-19 started, the manner in which schooling is done has changed, and the number of schools that are doing online classes has increased. Nowadays, there are also schools mixing online and face-to-face lessons. Some students decide where to go to school based on whether they are online or face-to-face.
Which do many students prefer, to go to school or attend classes at home?
- Characteristics of online classes
Online education started due to developing technology. By evolution, students were able to attend class from a comfortable environment in the house. Students studying online can acquire skills, such as self-discipline, self-management, and access to many materials. In online classes, students can decide their own learning speed and work on learning if they have the necessary equipment, such as a computer and access to a reliable internet connection (Subramaniam, 2022).
Advantages of online learning
・Convenient
Online learning is very easy because it doesn’t matter where and in what clothes you attend the class.
・Flexible
We can save time going to school and choose the best study time for you.
・More affordable
The cost is cheaper than face-to-face classes.
・More interaction
It is possible to turn off the camera and audio during the class because it is online. We can also talk to our teacher personally and solve problems if we are afraid to speak in front of our classmates.
Disadvantages of online learning
・Feeling lonely
Online students have to study for themselves, while traditional students feel comfortable with meeting friends and attending lectures in college, so online students easily feel lonely.
・Requires self-discipline
It is important to manage time and schedule when working on online classes. Lack of self-discipline may make the information received unreliable.
・Requires additional training for instructors
Online learning is difficult, so for successful online classes, teachers should think about how to make students learn.
・Technical issues
We need good connections to attend online classes.
(2) Characteristics of face-to-face class
In offline education, students can meet friends and teachers at school, so they learn a lot of things from the teacher’s behaviour and teaching. Students have great opportunities to go directly to school without the negative impact of online lessons, such as connectivity problems. Offline education helps with students’ growth.
Advantages of face-to-face class
・Continue to concentrate
We learn together, not alone, so continue to concentrate for a long time.
・Interaction with students
There are many opportunities for teachers and students to interact with each other, and problems can be solved directly.
・Increase student competition
Face-to-face class improves students’ learning, drive, and self-affirmation. When such skills and environment are built, they tend to interact with each other.
・Extracurricular activities
There could be a variety of activities for students to participate in.
Disadvantages of face-to-face class
・Transportation costs
It takes transportation and travel time to go to school.
・Fixed schedule
In offline classes, we must attend classes at a fixed time every time.
・Expensive mode of study
We need not only tuition fees, but also events, such as school trips, school lunch fees, and club activity fees.
・Limited choice of courses
Not finding the course students want to study results in them studying something they are not interested in just for practicality.
(3) Which do many people prefer, online classes or face-to-face classes?
Recently, many students have come to prefer online classes because online classes have obvious advantages over offline classes (Subramaniam, 2022). However, which one to choose is a very difficult choice. Summarise the key factors in choosing which one is right for students.
In online classes, we can attend classes wherever we are if we have an internet connection. It doesn’t matter if the transportation is disturbed because it doesn’t involve movement. Online classes are hard to manage because the students have to study by themselves. So, it is important to work on issues on a regular basis and not procrastinate. We cannot learn practical things, such as physical education, art, and music. That’s why, if you take part in these classes, you should take face-to-face classes.
In offline classes, teachers and students can communicate intimately. Students can also strengthen their minds and bodies through leisure activities. They have to go to school every day, so it is harder than online. In face-to-face lessons, the lecture time is fixed, so students need to attend at that time. It is unlikely that there will be an internet connection failure. We can take both lectures and practical lessons, and that’s why we can acquire a lot of knowledge and skills.
Conclusion
Online and offline classes have different strengths and weaknesses. These forms of learning may change with time and the environment. It is up to the individual to determine which is more suitable for them. By understanding the characteristics of each and fusing the good aspects of each other, we will be able to get better lessons.
Reference
Subramaniam, S., 2022. Online Classes vs Offline Classes | Pros and Cons Compared – Galvanise Test Prep. [online] Galvanise Test Prep. Available at: <https://galvanizetestprep.com/blogs/online-classes-vs-offline-classes/> [Accessed 11 July 2022].
