When printed books came into existence (that was also a revolution in the field of education) we did not think that b_Education would completely or at least to a large extent replace the conventional class room teaching. We could have raised this issue because books for self study became available. However requirement of “chalk and talk” form of teaching was never denied, rather I would say could not be denied. This is so because books can store information but when some one reads it he/she needs some skill to link them with the information that has already been acquired by him/her. For a new subject or a difficult topic this linking needs supervision. This is one of the major tasks that a teacher performs. Advancement of Information Communication Technology (ICT) also created a revolution in the area of storage and distribution of information. Researchers also designed program for e_Learning. Since a digital computer can perform logical decision very fast such education systems can to some extent adjust/modify itself to suit the requirement of an individual student. But such adaptation is limited to the information stored in the system and the linking mechanism that the particular e_Learning program supports. In a class room where face to face teaching is performed, there is no such restriction. A good teacher, for example, can evolve a new linking strategy that will suit the requirements of the relevant group of students. This is possibly the role of a good teacher and possibly this is the reason why a good teacher can explain a difficult topic better. My question therefore, is
why we are thinking that e_learning should replace conventional Chalk and talk form of education. .
E-learning should not replace conventional 'chalk and talk' education, but should supplement it. Face-to-face classroom teaching/learning is still invaluable if it is applied professionally; utilizing a variety of teaching methods to meet the specific demands and learning style of the learner. Human nature, as it exists, finds some students wanting an easy way out of earning grades and often submitting work which may always not be 'originally theirs'. On-line learning doesn't accommodate the person who may not earn their own achievements through their own efforts. How do we account for those tempted to have others do their work? Face-to-face teaching lessens the possibility for cheating and reinforces genuine learning.
I think, almost none of the e-learning researchers think of e-learning as a "replacement". E-learning promises a lot of benefits compared to traditional classroom model of education, which can be exploited to enhance the teaching learning process. But the conventional model has its benefits too, and it will be silly to try to ignore them. When conventional model is not possible -- no teachers, for example -- use of e-learning on stand alone mode is better than no learning at all.
E-learning is not completely replacing the traditional face-to-face classroom teaching/learning at least for now. However the future is promising when more activities online is made synchronous. To augment these activities of the online learning, monthly face-to-face in the form of presentations and discussion of workshop or group work online is adopted by some online learning institutions to clarify students misunderstanding of some issues discussed during forums or chats. Examinations in online learning can be done in pro metric centres with security cameras. Both the online and traditional face to face have their advantages that could not be ignored.
I tried a blend of Conventional and Online learning and it portrays amazing result. It shows that those who are not good in oral discourse excels online. I was amazed at how good they express their ideas in another media like in schoology. While of course those in face to face instruction you can determine the instant they can process the information, but what is important is your students are able to express themselves in a medium they are comfortable with.
Unfortunately the view that technology will replace the need for face to face instruction is misguided. While, as has been articulated elsewhere, eLearning is generally seen as a means to engage the learner and to support the instructional process, there is no substitute for the intimacy of the learning environment. This is particularly important in the primary years of learning where the teacher is able to make, with a strong curricula knowledge, immediate pedagogical decisions on learning as it occurs and not rely on a prescriptive technological stimulus/response process. Besides, learning is a collaborative, social enterprise where learners discuss and refine their learning.
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