Many Universities are adopting online teaching due to COVID-19. Is this the best way forward?
Of course not. From my point of view, online-learning is like swimming without water. It cannot be a substitute for face-to-face learning, it is complementary to classroom teaching.
In other words, e-learning alone ( i.e. distance learning) will not succeed without traditional face-to-face learning. Because e-learning hasn't achieved the desired aims or results, traditional learning is better. At least, the hybrid learning (i.e. blended learning) of both of them is better than the traditional one. This is especially true for developing countries.
From another angle, online learning increases the black market of education. I am sorry to say that e-learning has succeeded in increasing the market of cheating!
But, in this disaster of COVID-19, we haven't another choice; we must use e-learning. Therefore, courses must be reengineered to be well structured. In all cases, the exams must be inside the learning institutes without forgetting to keep enough distances between students.
Finally, students will be more interested in online learning if they know that the exams will be inside their learning institutes.
Can online teaching provide the same benefits as face to face lectures? No, it can't, taking into account the lower level of active student participation in online classes compared to face to face lectures.
Online courses are predominantly asynchronous
Successful online learners must also be motivated, disciplined, and good at time management
: Students depend even more on the facilitation, and feedback provided by their instructor
Discussions in the online environment may offer more opportunity for students to think about research
Online courses are often more individualized
Instructors role is focused on facilitating student efforts to think critically, apply of new knowledge
The compare face-to-face learning to online learning.
What are the main benefits of face-to-face learning?
Face-to-face learning has been the standard for centuries.
With face-to-face learning, it's possible to have a live interaction between a learner and an instructor. Since that interaction occurs in a person, it means that a learner needs to be physically present in a classroom at a specific time and date.
Face-to-face learning helps your learners organized their studies because they need to be somewhere at a specific time and date. Also, it's possible for them to interact with the instructor and the other students. If learners don't have enough self-discipline or didn’t do their homework, they can simply sit there and listen to their instructor.
Since its been the standard for so long, face-to face-learning is readily recognized as the “real” way of learning. Since individuals must be physically present to take a traditional course, people assume that they are actually taking the time to learn something and are serious about it. Yet, taking a class in person does not always guarantee that someone will be more focused or successful.
Is online learning really effective?
Good question. Although we are in a modern era where we don’t have to be physically present to learn something, people still have a hard time taking online learning seriously. Let’s take a look at some facts that indicate something else:
Most people today prefer to consume content using the Internet. The very fact that you are reading this article online is proof of that! We now use the Internet to read the news, watch our favorite TV shows, chat with friends, book appointments, shop, and so much more. Considering all of the convenience the Internet has added to our daily lives, why should education remain strictly traditional instead of utilizing its advantages?
Online learning requires more self-discipline, and (surprise!) it will benefit your learners. Since there’s no one to monitor your learners, they are required to be self-disciplined. Therefore, your learners will actually have to take the time to study, pay attention to what they are studying, and apply what they learned during an exam.
Results have shown that learning outcomes for online learners are comparable to traditional students at both the high school and university levels. In fact, many top universities now offer online courses.
Learners do not need to spend time or resources on commuting. With online learning, there’s no need to spend money on transportation. Your learners can study using any device with an Internet connection.
With online learning, you can still grant a diploma or certificate. Yes, that’s right. You can even use the same certificates that are given to people who take face-to-face classes.
Which one to choose: face-to-face learning or online learning?
We are not arguing that traditional learning should be discontinued; however, online learning is not only a great alternative, but it can also supplement face-face learning. For instance, some teachers and trainers use a blended approach where both methods are combined to maximize results.
If you are a teacher or a trainer, consider how the benefits of online can make your life and your learner's lives much easier without sacrificing any quality.
Pandemic is a stressful situation ,still more is locked down this can give 100 % assumption of sample distribution, when teachers and students both are in stress and digital method is the only measure or meeting method it is helpful or not?
No, its not a good impact of online classes on students. Face to face classes have good method of teaching because in which codition both have eye contect with each other and discuss face to face thier problems.
According to this situation we have nowadays it is considered to be the best one to continue the teaching process
F2F and online teaching are both proven to be effective mediums to instruct learners. The question is always about the context where instruction is used and its applicability.
In Higher Education, the concept of learning emphasises learners' autonomy, where the learner is responsible, to a great extent for his own academic process.
Without a doubt, several factors can affect either medium such as technological accessibility, motivation, style of learning, aptitude and attitude towards the teaching method.
If the institution is well-prepared for the transaction from F2F to online teaching and the process mimics to some extent the actual F2F lectures, then it's leaners responsibility to cope with such changes in such circumstances
There are many implications of online teaching if in case this pandemic will continue our classes and training. One thing is the accessibility or the efficiency of service providers of the area. Students living on the area from where accessibility is affected by efficiency service would disadvantage already when it comes to turn in or submission of requirements. There are students who are not fast learner enough to catch lesson on screen but they learned into face to face.However, for a while on line teaching may only a stop gap measure for the purpose of continuing education and information for all students. I would suggest that our Top Educators or Executives to enhance such alternative methods of teaching considering that there is also corresponding evaluation for this methods.
With Zoom and other virtual platforms, online learning can be face-to-face. Breakout rooms can be utilized for group work. Teachers can still read body language and judge engagement. Classes can still be synchronous. Depending on the content, online platforms can sometimes be more effective. It allows access to individuals in remote locations without the hardship of travel. Obviously, some content such as chemistry labs are not practical for an online environment. However, with proper planning for synchronous and asynchronous components utilizing effective virtual pedagogy, most courses can be taught effectively via a virtual platform.
In certain circumstances, yes online teaching have better option from face-to-face lectures. The lecturing style may be interactive through online as many apps support interesting approach to the students without any hesitation to students' engagement. It's more about how the teaching style rather than cognitive input or behavior responses. The planning and delivering are essential structure which develop the 'how' learning happening.
In my understanding online learning, virtual learning, digital learning, e-learning are the same. Online learning is a strategy using computer and internet with or without physical classroom environment. Online learning is used in combination with other learning strategies. Online learning is different from distance or remote learning. In distance learning or remote learning the students do not have to be physically present at a school, college or university in order to attain an education. Distance learning utilises online or e-learning and does not require in-person or face-to-face interaction between teachers and students.
The benefits of online and face-to-face depend on the type of learner, what the student should learn, how knowledge is delivered..
If on line teaching is the best way to teach, time will tell (Science fiction movies show they are!), but it is the very reality to which we have to adapt ourselves now.
I agree with Fatima Al-Shammri: we should pay attention to students' different contexts. I think we also should have task contexts in mind. We should pay attention if our teaching is mediated by lives on YouTube, Hangouts, Zoom or by written material - or both; also, how we should explain subjects; how we should ask for exercises; how we should consider students different learning rythms; how to be prepared to immediate ou delayed feedback; and so many more issues!!!
My concern is towards written materiais. If students are not proficient in reading, there will be no comprehension. Teachers have to think 1. in advance, 2. in the processes of teaching and 3. in the final checking.
We are now out of our comfort teaching zone. We are responsible for the new conceptions of teaching a subject, of teacher-student relationship, of using on line tools... There lies a new horizon ahead/for of all of us. Let's enjoy and keep learning with it!
Good luck to us all!
In short, no. Even assuming the technical capacity to run the best platforms, there is a great deal of nuance that is missing without physical presence and everything is limited to the camera range.
There are also less tangible effects of physical presence which can have a huge effect on the dynamics of lessons.
Just as listening to a recording is different from experiencing live performance, online teaching loses much even if it is better than nothing under the current circumstances.
It is also invasive of one's privacy.
There is an interesting story "The fun they had" by Isaac Asimov where verything is told in another way where printed books and face to face learning is considered to be unusual. I think this will happen in our real life after some years when online learning will become
Not exactly same but online teaching is also fruitful way for some soecial case.
No it can not. It still has some shortages especially in developed countries.
Aristidis Matsoukis
good observation " lower level of active student participation "
thank you
Dmytro Leshchenko
thank you for the excellent points raised. what about the weaker students? they need extra attention without affecting the rest. this is possible in face to face but not in online teaching.
Florencia Maldia
Thank you for your reply. all elements are captured in your reply as stated: " The benefits of online and face-to-face depend on the type of learner, what the student should learn, how knowledge is delivered.. " (students, subject and lecturer).
in a typical class, we have very good students and very weak students as well.
can online teaching cater to both?
Thank you Mahmoud Moghavvemi.
We have similar class grouping. In teaching heterogenous group I use combination of different approaches: live video meeting, modular instruction, and self-directed learning. My concern is not the class grouping but how to keep the students motivated to learn.
It is a good initiative but not all learners benefit.Chn from poor socio economic backgrounds are left behind because they can hardly access technological devices and data let alone how to use these.Although face to face has its shortcomings chn by and large all benefit-bearing in mind that aspects such as gestures,eye contact and other none verbal ques add to understnding.Teachers are also NOT well versed wth the approach hence the ropping in of non teaching staff in some cases.
Ziboneleni Maphosa
good points:
1. socio-economic background of the students
2. Access to technological devices
3. teacher/lecturer/ ability to use these technological devices
the first two-points directly lead to inferior connectivity which can complicate the learning process. Considering that all conditions are suitable for online lectures, does the lack of gestures such as "eye contact and other none verbal ques" reduces the effects of online lectures?
Face to face lectures allow to observe the reactions of the students in an inmediate way.
Online teaching and learning and face to face are VERY different. This recent transition to the online environment has showed me many of the shortcomings that I typically do not see when teaching a scheduled online course. Students that have attempted to make the transition to online are overthinking assignments, not following the the assignment updates, and rather than use the student Q&A discussion board are sending me emails asking questions that have been answered in emails to them which of course they have not read!
Online learning requires independent learning and it appears the face-to-face students are not ready to be that independent!
Nothing can replace face to face communication which supported by non verbal communication like gestures n bodily movements work as motivation also the bonding, concern n connection between teachers n students can nt developed in online mode
Shivani:
Good point about body language and facial expressions which can not be seen in the online environment, nor the tone of voice when questions are asked.
It has been a very interesting topic which as a trainer I can share to it, on line teaching as of now is only an option for teaching. Face to face remains to be the best and most effective than on line approach. As of now, if we rely on online teaching we may deny our young students the very basic of feeling such as touching, smelling and witnessing in terms of tangible results. Such kind of reactions are the things that an online right now does not have. Body language and facial expressions can be seen but the nature of "human touch" as a form of interactions should not be forget. On line teaching is only an option, but I think there is a need that in our training it requires time to have a face to face to reinforce such teaching. We cannot make such teaching on line by dissecting lets say in biology class or if human being, such as First Aid. Hence, requires physical presence. Still, we need to develop a more effective application for online teaching if we remain lock until 2021.
I believe if managed properly there are equal benefits to online learning. The point to remember in the current environment is that students and teachers have been thrown into an online environment rather than planning the course content and choosing to be there. The following article may provide some insight that could be useful.
https://er.educause.edu/articles/2020/3/the-difference-between-emergency-remote-teaching-and-online-learning
As now the situation is crucial so no other option but an online teaching learning...so hv to make it more effective by anyway...but by only eye contact realise teacher students r getting her point or not...coz most of the time students say YES MAM UNDERSTOOD
I do agree with all what you have indicated. Only thing is, to take the maximum use, we have to select a good package where in which you have access to see, hear and take part at the same time. But unless we have teleconferencing facility like, it may not be possible to that extent on personal basis. In Sri Lanka, we were having such NODE (national online distance education) centers in several districts with above facilities. It is not practical at this stage as students have to go there and participate which is impossible under prevailing conditions. Now that Smart phones are available for many, at least students can participate based on the given time table even with limited facilities. But my worry and concern is with those who cannot afford to such benefits due to socio -economic barriers. Do they have Tabs or smart phones for their individual studies? How can we understand this plight of those who haven't access to such sophisticated facilities from the post modernism perspective of the Critical Theory . Does that mean, however much we talk about democracy and equality, still some are being eliminated or discriminated without being exposed that much? Can equity plays a fair role, instead of equality?
Online classes can only complement face to face classes as a way to engage student but they can not replace face to face, therefore they can not be the way forward on their own. I think a combination of the two is the way forward!
Mahmoud Moghavvemi I would love to answer this by reverting the original question into, "Can face-to-face teaching provide the same benefits as online/virtual lectures?" In my point of view, learning is a constant and teaching is a variable. The education landscape changes and varying needs also evolve challenging us to deliver quality instruction despite of. Both face-to-face and technology-aided instructions as teaching and learning modalities will work only if accepted, well-planned, excellently executed, monitored, and improved, as time goes by.
i would rate it good, as far as the resources and other materials are available for learners.
I strongly agree with the idea of Lambert Nkurunziza that online teaching supplement face to face teaching. This is called blended teaching.
Due to the effect of coronavirus, currently we shifted to distance learning (zero face-to-face interaction). In distance learning I use google classroom for live video classes, chat streaming (digital platform) discussion, self-directed interactive learning, and modular instructions. These are internet-based blended teaching-learning strategies without face-to-face interaction.
I also agree with the idea of Lambert Nkurunziza that nothing can replace face to face. In the situation where face-to-face learning is not possible due to pandemic then distance or remote learning is the best option.
There are so much to learn from internet and it's free. There are lots of free visual lessons on Youtube. Change does not happen in an overnight. Change is a process, it takes time. Students love digital games therefore they will understand digital learning. I'm learning from my students on how to use technology in distance education.Students give suggestions on what website you will find free digital crash courses in math, calculus, statistics, history, social sciences, allied health science and sometimes students are more advanced technologically than the teachers.
The benefits of online and face-to-face depend on the type of learner, what the student should learn, how knowledge is delivered.
Many thanks to technology, it makes us connected in RG digital platform. Technology brings us together here to share and learn. I suggest to give us educators the chance to unlock our mind and make it open to new ideas. Change is permanent. No harm in trying. Stay safe and well everyone.
Florencia Maldia I agree. The success of online classes (also true to face-to-face or the traditional classroom) depends on students’, teachers’, and educational institutions’ commitment to use a platform as an effective means to knowledge transmission while we all satisfy the domains of learning. Consider technological sufficiency, technological proficiency and competency, among others.
Change, indeed, is a constant thing in this world says Democritus. In this trying time, we are all challenged to create and innovate. However, first - we have to become flexible to acclimatize. With that, we can remain relevant despite any circumstances.
I would not consider the online teaching the best way to move forward, but the benefits of developing sustainable digital learning strategies will be a big benefit for the future of education on the long run.
Reynold Padagas fully agreed " if accepted, well-planned, excellently executed, monitored, and improved, as time goes by" however, due to covid-19 we need to do it now!. A learning process that takes time to master.
Mahmoud Moghavvemi Thank you.
Adopting technology innovations during this pandemic (at an instant) is part of the change we have to face. It is exactly what the situation or circumstance demands. In this regard, our resilience, flexibility and adaptability are challenged. And this becomes an opportunity for us to to create and innovate. The goal to quality instruction does not change; only the tool that we use for now. Technology is augmentative.
Now, here comes the moral: It is high time for institutions of learning to reimagine their strategic plans and contingency measures that are augmentative, feasible, efficient and effective without compromising learning goals and objectives. In this regard, institutions of learning become more "prepared" or "ready" with or without crisis.
Reynold Padagas
It is true that "The goal to quality instruction does not change"
the concern is how do you replace a tested system which becomes a standard for centuries overnight without sacrificing the end products (students). online teaching is promoted now as a package (lecture, assessment, exam, etc), is there a need to create a standard that ensure a comparable (FTF) quality of education?
thank you
Mahmoud Moghavvemi Your question is valid. I appreciate it a lot.
Change does not often give us the kind of feeling we all want or expect. Acceptance is elemental as to how we view change. The current experience provides us opportunities to explore, as well as to find seeds of solutions that we can discern upon and use.
Quality education is multifactorial and it is everyone's responsibility. Frameworks are available to help us integrate technology as an innovative tool to augment learning and teaching.
If I may revert your question: Considering that the tested system is disrupted, how do you use an existing technology that seemingly becomes a standard during moments of crisis overnight without sacrificing the students?
Each of them has its pecularities which we should take into account while we are in the teaching process and depending on teaching style, process, groups, teaching materials, etc. we should be able to try to transfer from one form into another conducting a successful meaningful, effective teaching.
No. Online teaching can't match face-to-face lectures. Communication is not only by words; facial expressions and gestures count a lot in giving feedback. And this is missing in online teaching.
The question of online teaching depends on the technology in use. Where the online teaching has facilities such as WEBEX etc the differences will be negligible if not no difference. and in this world where there is a lot of discovery learning and use of internet for references and researchlargely at university level how far are we from online learnin g. So we are in one way or another already under online learning
Samy Azer fully agree that " research is needed to assess how much is retained by students in online lectures". how to quantify this is by online assessment which of course is a new territory.
I agree with the idea of Samuel Nii Nmai Ollennu that online teaching can't match face-to-face lectures.
Face-to-face and online teaching have different advantages and disadvantages. In my perspective I am not replacing face-to-face with online teaching. I am adding online teaching to face-to-face teaching. For now that we are on pandemic situation, we opted to remove face-to-face teaching momentarily to prevent the spread of corona virus. We will bring back face-to-face teaching when it is safe for the students to go back to the classroom. I agree with online teaching without face-to-face depending on the course lesson and the learner. It depends on how you design the curriculum where online teaching is appropriate and effective.
I agree with the ideas of Alesa Durgaryan that we should be able to try to transfer from one form into another conducting a successful meaningful, effective teaching.
Change is permanent. Change is constant. We need to adapt to change. We need to change to innovate.
Teaching online cannot be equivalent to face-to-face teaching .. In my country, teaching via education platforms is new and most students refuse it, especially with the weakness and lack of some areas of the Internet ..
Dear Mahmoud Moghavvemi
In my opinion electronic teaching is not like face to face teaching. Face to face teaching is more better. But, Electronic teaching in case of Corona Virus cOVID-19 was very useful.
Best Regards
To a greater extend it is yes...although we are apart during Covid 19 pandemic...Zoom and similar other online options offer numerous services and facilities...
I believe younger learners need face to face teaching. Their attention span and discipline level is low. They require a more direct approach to supervision and monitoring of progress levels.
They are easily distracted by the pull of social media
This is MY belief
I am still exploring the question on the efficacy of electronic education for myself. Let us convene after half a year and discuss then, sort of thing.
In principle, I am positive and open to this way of teaching, but as we go on, some issues are brought to my attention (and they need to be phased out ASAP).
I am certain that most of you have also encountered such, as well as other, new issues. So, let us share and brainstorm on how to solve them.
One issue is students' attendance and faking electronic "illiteracy" as an excuse not to attend, or stall the process for other students.
Another, is the lowering of memorization and learning outcomes. Students have their textbooks in front of the computer/ mobile phone, answering questions this way. All I hear is the rustling of pages. :D
A graver problem still is logging in for class and going back to sleep, or about one's personal business (even outside the house, with a mobile phone in hand). When asked a question, I am faced more and more with - "Sorry, I do not know the answer" in a sleepy, or a distracted voice.
A fourth issue is, if given sufficient time - students exchange test question asnwers amongst each other.
It seems that most students do not take on-line learning seriously. Come exam time, they will be in a serious pickle. For the sake of efficiency, this trend must be broken.
:)
There is no comparison between them because direct education is much better
In my opinion, Online classes can indeed be perfect substitute for offline lecture sessions if the online session is made adequately coherent and complete; this means other than the lecture material presentation sessions, there should be separate online sessions on tutorials and problem solving and doubt clearing, either at end of every lecture session or a few lecture sessions combined, as decided upon by the instructor to best suit himself/herself and the students.
Valeria Tananska
Thank you for many interesting points raised. looking forward to our future discussion on these topics when we gain more experience!
There will be not true participation for the students. So, it isn't the same.
I teach five and six-year-olds, teaching that age group online is near impossible. It is basically providing activities for a parent to facilitate with a child. This can not replace face to face teaching for that age group. I am currently studying too, and I am finding it really difficult to focus on my work for my MA without having a lecture to go to. Watching an online lecture does not give me as much motivation to be enthused to do my work. When in lectures there are conversations about what we are doing and an opportunity to ask a lecturer for clarification. Now we have rely on emails to get the clarification, by the time they are answered the moment has gone.
Rachel Worthing
Dear Rachel. Thank you for your comments. you are unique since you are teaching and at the same time learning as a student. I do agree that for certain age group it will be very difficult to focus on any topic for long! (short attention span). for older age this might differ. thanks for sharing your experience as an MA student and the difficulties that one might face.
There's nothing unique about having to work full time whilst studying. I went straight into an MA without an undergrad degree. I was provided with one seminar per week during term time which, although sometimes interesting, rarely had much connection with the work that the students were doing on the course. I had no access to the library for the whole of my dissertation because it was only open in office hours. Tutorials were very patchy and often of limited help. I had to complete my first essay three weeks early because the tutor was going on holiday. I sat up all night after work to write it and went straight to work afterwards. She returned the day before it was due to be handed in and tried to cancel the tutorial! As it was, I had only a few hours to make amendments. I got 85%, one of the highest marks ever awarded on the course. I was entitled to (and paid for) 5 hours tuition for my dissertation but actually got 20 minutes in a crowded, noisy high street coffee shop with a tutor who knew nothing about my subject.
I graduated with distinction in the shortest time possible (not least because I couldn't afford to do otherwise) in January 2005 when there were very limited resources available online.
Having spent a decade failing to fund a follow up PhD I, for complex reasons, ending up switching to study behavioural science. Again, I worked full time to fund it and obtained 2 Advanced Diplomas with no lectures or tuition, again with distinction. I am currently waiting for the end of lockdown restrictions to finish my dissertation on a Graduate Diploma, again with no tuition or lectures. I was simultaneously completing a very demanding professional training course including many exams. The pass mark was 90%, so no option but to graduate with distinction!
It is perfectly possible given sufficient motivation and application to work full time, study and pass exams, latterly not least thanks to Researchgate and the generosity of participating academics in sharing their work.
I am not brilliant by any means, but I am disciplined and motivated and I have by necessity had to find creative ways of pursuing research.
Whilst I agree that there can be some loss due to online lectures, lack of motivation is surely not due to the medium?
No because online teaching depend on sharing of good level students and loss immediate interaction of the students specialy for practical sessions .
For clinical sessions we can not assess individual students skills and his or her communication skills
One way to avoid students logging in and then not listening to fake "attendance" is to include code words throughout the session. Students can then only gain credits for attending if they record and submit the code words.
It is not fool proof as they can of course ask friends to share them although they could be required to submit the word by e-mail at the time of broadcast. It adds the bureaucracy for the tutor too, but it may be worth it.
At the end of the day, students need to take responsibility for themselves and the consequences of their behaviour. Just as not going to a lecture hall will result in a poor outcome, so will not attending lectures online. A life lesson for them, albeit frustrating for the tutor.
Charlotte Kasner ,
congratulations on your achievements. if every student is as dedicated and motivated as you are then there should be no problem with how the lecture is delivered face to face or online.
Rachel Worthing experience is unique in the sense that she is TEACHING online and also taking online subjects for MA. her experience as a teacher and student on online learning. thank you both
Sardar Hassan Arif . Thank you for your comment
I fully agree that there is no substitute for the practical session. Based on current technology it is very difficult to assess student skills online. I believe this is the majority point of view regarding practical (lab experiments, clinical sessions, etc).
our discussion for now mostly revolves around the comparison of online and face to face lectures.
Charlotte Kasner
"Fake attendance" and "lack of attention" are among the problem mentioned by some colleagues. including code words throughout the session can solve one problem and not the other. I fully agree with your statement " At the end of the day, students need to take responsibility for themselves and the consequences of their behavior".
It is not correct to use the word "same". Even identical twins will never be the same, although they have common features. Similarly, online teaching could provide similar benefits as face to face but not the same benefits. I noticed recently, some kids learn more as they seem to be more curious and trying to manipulate electronic equipment on their own. However, when a teacher/lecturer has to deal with a bigger crowd, they find it bit difficult to manage and give individual attention as they do in normal face to face class room. In some of our universities, we get about hundreds of students in one lecture hall. However, under normal scenario, still the lecturer could maintain eye-contact with the students and move around in the stage or the lecture hall, maintaining the same close contact. But it does not happen in the same wavelength in an online scenario with a bigger crowd of students. On the other hand, in the modern world in which technology plays a big role, it is questionable that whether we really need to spend that much time to gather to one place and spend hours in the same place to gain knowledge. We were arguing in late 1990s that education could be taken to the door-steps of everybody, rather forcing everyone to come and get it from one place. In several of my studies, I argued that reasons for dropping out of schools and more students become failures are due various socio-economic issues of the family back ground of the students. Hence, this is a good opportunity for everyone to think of new ways and means of delivery of education using multiple mechanisms in which we could do justice by everyone based on the timely need,
Even in a situation where there is availability of all the variables, online learning cannot assess the student practically and hence cannot be equivalent to face to face learning
Not at all. There is a lot of problem by this method. Fake attendance" and "lack of attention" is one of them.
Advantages of online teaching
Flexibility (for both student and teacher) to choose a mutually convenient time to meet
The teacher can conduct classes with students from multiple time zones without the need for physical travel
24/7 access to online teaching materials provided by the employer
For one-to-one classes, the ability to immediately check for a student's understanding
Standardized coursework can reduce the need for lesson planning.
https://www.helloteacher.asia/blog/online-teaching-vs-classroom-teaching-which-one-is-better
Disadvantages of online teaching
1. It's unstable
Online teaching is often not a stable job. A student can leave or cancel their class at the drop of a hat.
When teaching online independently, you may never know how much you’ll be earning and when you’ll be paid (or if you’ll get paid at all).
2. Loneliness
Working from home can be a lonely existence.
Even though my Mandarin teachers work for a company and have colleagues like the rest of us, their work is mainly home-based.
This means they spend most of their time in front of a computer at home and rarely get to meet their colleagues in person.
3. Limited teaching methods
The range of teaching methods that you have at your disposal is limited.
You’ll have to rely mainly on audio and visual methods.
And you won’t be able to use any kinaesthetic methods like physical games or role-plays.
4. No travel or adventure
Finally, you’ll not be able to experience your students’ country and culture.
From eating turtle to visiting the famous Terracotta Warriors, teaching in China has been an incredible opportunity for me.
It's the kind of country that needs to be experienced first-hand to be fully understood.
https://www.helloteacher.asia/blog/online-teaching-vs-classroom-teaching-which-one-is-better
Curriculum Preparation
Teachers posting content online often have to supply a complete syllabus at the start of the course. This is especially true when students can control their own schedule and work at their own pace. Online teachers must often have all class material prepared and ready for students before the course ever begins. This stands in contrast to traditional classroom courses, where teachers may have the option of writing the course curriculum as the semester progresses, drawing on the textbook and class progress to draw the class to a closing point and modifying the work as necessary to fit the circumstances.
https://study.com/articles/Differences_Between_Online_and_Classroom_Teaching.html
Online teaching to be successful, it needs commitment and genuine concern and motivation of the students, teachers and the management - I mean supervisors, mentors and the online managers responsible to each institute. Failing that it leads to quite a lot of frustration and loop holes. However, at a time when everyone is busy and do not have time to waste on the road with traffic jam, a time schedule could be made by an institution taking into consideration of the needs of all the stake holders. Perhaps, the same lesson could be provided at several timings, to minimize the student numbers and catering to their individual needs. This will reduce the need of having massive buildings and class rooms. However, we still cannot come into terms with the notion that both (online and face to face) are similar. Both have unique advantages as well as disadvantages.
Yes. Furthermore these courses are substantially cheaper and weed out the truly movitvated students from those who are just sitting in the chairs to pass their time.
Quite true. I totally agree with the views of Rajkuma. Human resource is the most important source of development of any country. We should not allow young people to idle their time and be a burden to the country, due to social pressure. We should be able to design a variety of programs taking into consideration the needs of the job market as well as the students. It is wrong to waste their money and time to expecting them to take part in courses due to pressure coming from parents and the society. Why can't we consider the aspirations of the students and implement Tayler-made programs which give sufficient options for everyone. As Rajkumar has very correctly pointed out, one should be able to have several optional programs spending similar /lessor amount of resources they spend for one face to face study program.
Dear DR Mahmoud. Online teaching can never ever replace face to face physical teaching for the following reasons:
1- However sophisticated on line teaching may become, it is impossible to replicate a Physical presence!
2- In Class Room Environment the teacher has to know a great deal of what he is talking about, otherwise he will caught napping .
3- In online teaching the teacher has no hold on the student , there is no sustained, viable communication. Both the teacher and the taught can get away with ignorance via a cover up , not possible in a physical CR Interaction.
4- How will the assignments /tests/ examination be conduction? Simply impossible ?
5- In the developing countries, internet facilities may not be available all the time and everywhere .
6- on line teaching may be a useful tool for the interim , short term emergent reason but it is a self defeating exercise in the long term.
7 If indeed on line activity could be initiated at all levels , in the best of times , it would have been , like e marketing, e learning e warfare, e government . In ubiquity and in perpetuity the whole idea of electronic --everything is laughable!!
Best regards and thanks a lot for raising the issue. In my country , it is being tried these days viz on line teaching , on line doctor consultancy. It has been , sorry to say, an unmitigated failure.
True. Physical presence, eye contact, individual attention, close contact, facial expressions and the feeling of being in the midst of the teacher among other colleagues mean a lot to primary and middle school students. It is not only the knowledge that they need from the presence of a teacher, something more than that. They learn all kinds of mannerisms, good habits, social ethics, interaction, respect for others, cleanliness, duties and responsibilities, leadership qualities , emotional intelligence or in other words, to be a civic minded citizen -are derived from the physical presence of teachers. In this scenario, teachers not only teach the subject matters but constantly be vigilant about the behavior of the students. That is where the students personality will get molded in the midst of a school and the relevant extra curricular activities. However, once they reach high school and above, they seek subject knowledge and guidance to get through their exams. For such adult groups, online could be useful as they have already passed the most crucial stage of character and personality building.
Chinaza Godswill Awuchi
Thank you for a good list of advantages and disadvantages of online teaching.
one of the most important points of our discussion which is the comparison of the quality of lectures between online and physical lecture is not highlighted. for example, physical lectures have an equal platform for all the students, is this true for online as well?
Ajibola Ibrahim Quadri thank you for your comment
Online will be good for COVID-19 era. Would it be the same if we have a choice between online and physical lectures?
Hemamali Palihakkara
thank you for your comprehensive comments that cover many aspects of physical lecture. " Physical presence, eye contact, individual attention, close contact, facial expressions, and the feeling of being in the midst of the teacher among other colleagues mean a lot to primary and middle school students".
I believe the same is true for colleges and university students as well.
for every program, there is a standard that institutions must follow to offer a degree to its graduates. ABET, EAC, etc. can online teaching satisfy these accreditation bodies as compared to physical lectures?
Mahmoud:
I think the online environment has the same but different quality of learning. Largely, it depends on the engagement of the learner and how well they can read, comprehend, and follow written directions. In a "physical" lecture, they can ask and get questions answered immediately, with online there is the lag time. Additionally, all students are not online at the same time which also can present problems. As was mentioned in another discussion, because of accessibility within the home and how many people are vying to use potentially a single computer, it may interrupt the continuity of the online learning.
Generally, the level of comprehension differs from one subject contents to another. It also depends on the teacher/lecturer and the method in use. Also teaching involves effective communication and you know what makes a communication a good, e.g. use of eye contact, gesture and body language e.t.c. Therefore, with these elements among others, if they cannot be put into effective use in an online teaching, online teaching cannot provide the same benefits as face to face lectures. Thank you sir.
Though online courses offer a great many benefits, they are not right for every student. ... Even so, this isn't quite the same as the social interaction you would have with other students in a physical classroom setting. Some students simply learn better in a collaborative setting than they do on their own.
https://www.communitycollegereview.com/blog/are-online-courses-better-than-traditional-classroom-courses
While e-learning won't replace traditional classrooms, it will change the way we know them today. With improved resources and reduced teacher workloads, classrooms can shift to co-learning spaces. Students can arrive, learn, engage—all at their own pace in a collaborative environment.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2018/05/08/will-online-education-replace-classroom-education-anytime-soon/
Kindly check this RG link
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285651933_Comparing_the_Effectiveness_of_Classroom_and_Online_Learning_Teaching_Research_Methods
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Virus