Thanks for the question. Many students informed me they prefer face to face teaching.

Hello Karima - This is a boringly 'middle of the road' answer, but it depends upon many variables - most notably student choice and flexibility and the quality of the online provision and support.

I teach a 'blended' unit for Education students - approximately 30% face-to-face and 70% online. It was fantastic to get back to face-to-face teaching a couple of weeks ago after 11 months of fully distance teaching (and the students who were choosing the interactivity and immediacy of face-to-face learning were delighted to be back, too).

But online study suits many students - study can fit around work, family and time management. Many students appreciate that learning can be asychronous.

It is most important that whatever the mode of study, the learning opportunities, resources, and support for students are equitable. I do think that a great deal was learned last year about activating web conferences and 'virtual' tutorials.

What do others think?

I think, the best option is e-learning. I prefer the education virtual in the last times.

E-learning was not good for me. Speaking to the computer was not good. E-learning is also expensive for students when buying bundles.

Dear Karima Khalil ,

Nothing replaces classroom teaching face-to-face.

This is not because we have not yet gotten rid of virus.

Regards,

Prof. Wiltgen

Hi Moises Ake , would very much like to hear from you , how / what else do you do in enjoying e learning and my concern is how can we earn and transform in the business part (etc.... private medical institution).

I prefer face to face classes wherein they learned a lot. While in e-learning they learned few or nothing at all. My students don't prefer e-learning because they want hands-on experience on the different theories presented. This was really helpful in applying the theories they learned in applied science.

Online learning is here to stay. The lockdowns merely accelerated our migration. Compared to basic education or tech-voc, eLearning is best applicable to higher education with provisions for blended learning or flipped classrooms. For what it's worth, Karima, this chapter may be of use, Chapter The Invisible Teacher

Blended learning is the recommended medium especially for clinical modules such as nursing/ midwifery. While students still prefer face- to-face sessions, the changes in approaches at higher education institutions, remains inevitable. We have to go with the flow, be open-minded to new possibilities in teaching and learning.

My Students prefer Mixed between e- learning and learn by face to face

Both face to face and e-learning have their advantages and disadvantages. I think looking at the trend of education now, the two can be blended.

I miss teaching face to face, because our students don't have their cameras on. I don't like speaking to my computer. The thing, that I miss much more, is student's feedback. They often don't say anything, even when I'm asking, so I don't know, if they understand me or not.

It all depends on the circumstances, viz: student's population, availability of on- line instructional materials, government willingness, parental financial problems and students capability.

For me e-learning is better for higher education. It allows us to do more things specially when you are working. It is less of a hassle

The E-environment is fine for the student to reach out to the instructor and vice versa, but I agree with the first comment by Filipe Wiltgen. Face-to-face lends itself not only to better means of motivation and monitoring, it provides a more congenial environment for students to interact with one another. That little two dimensional screen just isn't wholly adequate for education as a challengeing experience.

Admittedly, this position arises probably, in part from the subject I teach, anthropology, as opposed to a more structured subject matter such as chemistry or mathematics. However, I have two friends, one a chemistry instructor and one a mathematician who specializes in string theory, and both share my position.

online is the way to go

Online learning is all the rage right now, and that’s not only due to the current pandemic. Even before this year became an endless series of online meetings, courses, and Netflix binge watching (don’t deny it), online study programmes were increasing in popularity.

The main reasons are obvious: a lot of flexibility and convenience, the ability to study at your own pace, the opportunity to re-watch a class whenever you want, and so on.

But here’s the big question: are online learning cheaper than traditional studies? Well, sometimes yes, but the truth is, it depends on way too many factors. So, keep on reading as we analyse the true costs of studying online compared to studying on-campus.

Nothing can fill the intimate face to face relationship between the teacher and the students but e-leaning can reinforce the learning and further studies.

With the current pandemic situation, e-learning is the main teaching/learning method in many universities. Our university allows to continue online classes unless there are some issue like internet connection problem and requiring students' performance (practical sessions) in preclinical phase.

Face-to-Face cannot be replaced by e-learning.

I teach social work practice skills so am partial to blended learning. I want students to engage in online learning and exercises prior to coming to campus so we can apply the learning in small groups on campus. That provides more time for formative feedback. While the pandemic has resulted in a shift to purely online which is survivable, small group formative feedback discussions are richer when you can observe non-verbal behaviors and engage the group in discussions and impromptu modeling.

I am beginner academic teacher and I had only one face to face classes. I have never seen most of my students. They don't use their cameras and I don't want to force them to do it. I organise my classes via zoom and for me, as a beginner tracher, it's okay. I like that kind of teaching. I can say that I don't know other reality. For me, face to face teaching will be something new.

Students get tired and they miss face to face classes. In some ways e-learning is big advantage, for example - saving time on commuting to university. On the other hand, there some disadvantages like internet connection problems. And spending a lot of time with laptops isn't good for our health.

I really miss face to face classroom teaching. Seeing students in real time provides some insight whether key concepts are being grasped by the students. Further, having students put information "to use" throughout the class will more likely make the new information stick. It is difficult to engage students when you cannot see them.

E -learning used with suitable current situations, during Pandemic we must took distant with another to avoid infection, we can blended with teach face to face, because teach more advantages than E - learning, such high motivation for teachers and students, we can take some feedback by directly, and it increase of students interest to learn.

Online Learning Challenges

The spread of COVID-19 has forced millions of students and teachers to move their communication online. The schools are closed until further notice and we have to adapt to a new lifestyle. Teachers and administrators are working hard during lockdown trying to keep students on track, shifting to online learning within the shortest time.

Although technology evolution now allows many things we haven’t believed possible, the shift to e-learning doesn’t go as smoothly as we want it to be. Facing the pitfalls of digital learning may be discouraging and frustrating both for teachers and students.

The most common virtual learning challenges:

1. Organization of work processes & time management

2. Gadgets shortage and crashing systems

3. Connectivity

4. Computer literacy

5. Adjusting of online courses to deaf or hard of hearing students

6. Data privacy

7. Security

8. Isolation

9. Lack of interaction

10. LMS imperfections

Today’s crisis has opened the door to new opportunities:

giving a leading role to students;

achieving new standards of online learning

using gadgets not only for fun, but to get something new by taking online courses, joining the relevant community for the experience exchange, or accessing the free information sources

Caitlin de Bérigny thanks for your answer. This is the same case for me. They prefer face to face.

Both are recommended.

Hello Peter Brett , nice experience and thanks for sharing. I totally agree that the equity between students is the most important by learning opportunities, their support and resources, whatever the mode of study.