Since the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the world so unexpectedly, some students might be having a challenging time accommodating to the new regulations. Other students are more open, being less concerned how assignments have changed during the pandemic. In any case, education has undergone serious modification in the curriculum, and in the way deadlines are now perceived.
Online education allows for a broader time limit than the traditional one. Students are not bound or tied to one geographical place anymore, the classes are more engaging, and the feedback is faster and more structured.
In today’s article, we will lay out a relevant comparison between online and traditional education and look at the way in which students perceive both methods. As I mentioned earlier, some students are excited about the new shift in education, while others are quite anxious about it.
Do students have more or less free time? Can they deal with the changes in a constructive manner? Are the assignments received harder or easier? Are the students making progress or not? Here are some of the other questions we will explore.
Online vs Traditional Education
Let’s look at some of the most important concepts and differentials. First, let’s discuss the idea of a more flexible schedule, then look into self-motivation and discipline, and finally, discuss social dynamics in this era.
Flexibility
From a flexibility standpoint, online education definitely wins. Students can now access online materials at any time and finish their assignments whenever they wish. This allows them to complete other relevant activities outside of the school realm. Online courses can be taken from home, especially during the lockdown, which can save a student time and money. He or she does not have to travel to school and back anymore. They can simply turn on their computers and enjoy an interactive class online. Students are still expected to do work on their own, such as reading, writing, etc. However, there is more time available for other types of commitments.
Traditional learning doesn’t allow for such a flexible schedule. Meeting in person requires more time and energy and leaves less time for other activities.
Bottom line: flexibility-wise, students enjoy online learning more than traditional learning.
Self-motivation
Students who don’t enjoy their work might be less tempted to finish their remote assignments on time. They might procrastinate more and lose motivation quickly. However, students who love what they’re learning can self-motivate themselves. They can easily finish their tasks and have more free time on their hands.
Traditional education can motivate poorer students to stay on top of their assignments. However, interested students will remain motivated either way. And if they don’t, they can always consult with a professional writing service to get their homework done. When you don’t have the energy, Writix can write your assignment for you. You might not have the energy to write papers, and that is totally fine. There is no shame in asking for online homework help, especially when you’ve got other things on your mind, or you’re not properly rested.
Bottom line: depending on what type of student you are, one of these methods will be more advantageous to you.
Social dynamics
While it’s true that online education does not allow students to connect as well as before, it can help them have more meaningful conversations. Since they’re not facing each other, they must communicate through words – and that can only be beneficial for improving their speech. More than that, taking an online class means communicating with a rather wide number of students from all around the world. Thus, making friends from other countries becomes easier.
Instructions can be more challenging to understand via the web, and communication can indeed be skewed. Many students prefer to have face-to-face conversations where they can properly socialize. They want real human communication.
Bottom line: most students prefer face-to-face conversations, but they do not complain about social interaction on the web, if the situation asks for it.
Do students have more or less free time?
Students have more free time in general when studying online. As I said, that’s because they find extra time to enroll in other activities outside of the school realm. They invest in what they’re interested in.
Are the new assignments easier or harder?
The new assignments are not necessarily easier, but they are definitely more interactive. That’s because everyone gets called in on a Zoom call. Multimedia formats allow for better communication in the classroom and more talk upon the topic at hand. This can make at-home assignments easier, since students are paying more attention to the classroom lessons.
Are students making progress?
Yes, students feel like they are making progress because feedback is way more constructive than before. Professors put a greater emphasis on feedback, since they expect things to run similar to before the lockdowns. Since learning gaps can now be an issue, feedbacks are also faster and more thorough. They are exhaustive but can be brief and to the point. In a nutshell, students perceive online education as a better progression booster than traditional learning.
Author Bio:
Judy Nelson is a freelancer and blogger for a medical library. She helps students succeed and writes assignments for anyone in need. In her free time, Judy likes to dance and write poetry.