Online learning Vs. Classroom Learning When you’re watching T.V do you ever notice the entire commercial that they put out about going to college and doing your homework in your jammies eating cereal? I know I do. There are many different ways that you can obtain a higher education degree or certificate. You have choices of learning in a classroom environment, you can choose to take courses online, or you can choose to take both and see what option best fits your lifestyle or schedule. When choosing between which paths to take always remember that online learning is not as effective as sitting in a classroom environment because it is taking away the experience of getting direct and immediate hands on learning. In class when you’re faced with a misunderstanding or a problem or a situation; then you can get the immediate help that you need before you get any more confusion than what’s taking place in your mind. It also allows the instructor to see the facial expressions or reactions of the student to the information that has or is being given out. Also, when working in a group or working on a project it usually means that you have to interact with other people and get to know their learning styles’ and techniques. Depending on the project you have to get to know them on a cultural level and getting to know their beliefs. When you take an online course your faced with working alone and you don’t really get to interact with anyone except the professor, also you don’t get to experience someone else’s culture or beliefs. My mother Marla Kephart says that “It takes away expanding your social interaction and you don’t get to meet anyone new.” When you are faced with a situation you can easily email the professor and ask them about the problem; but there is no telling when the teacher can get back to you when you need the help right away. You also have the choice of going up to the school to meet with the professor or going to the learning lab. The point of you taking an online class is because you don’t have the time or the schedule to go up there; so it defeats the purpose of taking an online class. Also during learning online when you are asked a question the professor cannot see your actions or facial expressions to know if you don’t understand it and they need to rephrase it or if you just don’t understand what he is saying. The primary reason you go to a classroom is to learn and develop new skills. Online is not an improvement or as effective as learning in the classroom because if your confused or falling back you will fail. Classroom flexibility occurs at a set time, date and location; therefore you have to be strict and motivated to get up out of bed and attend that class to get notes and assignments. It helps you to be more productive because if you miss a class it is harder to find out what was taught and how to get the notes from another classmate, and also who actually took notes that you can understand. Your instructor typically controls the pace of your course through the semester in the classroom; online courses give students the flexibility to take their class anytime, anywhere. The trick is staying on top of them and getting them done on time. You are not as productive and self-motivated as you should be. Students who find themselves struggling to be motivated will find themselves falling behind real fast in class work and test. You can attend online classes wherever you are that has computer access; but you won’t always have your notes or backpack with you when you are traveling or going out of town for a period of time. If you are not persistent in doing your online work then you will fail. My mother said that “Online learning is setting yourself up for failure because you’re not putting all your time and effort into the things not need to be done first, you’re slacking off even to learn.” While learning in a classroom you are less distracted from the outside world at that moment, because all the students’ are there to do the same thing you’re doing, learning. You are more focused and motivated to learn about what is going on and being talked about by the instructor. When doing distant learning you are doing it in the comfort of your own home or even at a friend’s house. Someone is more than likely always around you. So you’re more distracted or disturbed by anything that is going on in the house. When you do online learning you get you’re focus off track because your friend is talking to you, or even if that person is having a conversation in the same room that you’re trying to do your homework in, you get distracted because you want to know what is going on. You’re distracted by your mother asking you a question about your day or your children are asking you what’s for dinner, can a friend come over or can they go to a friend’s house. Whatever the situation might be; you’re focus is gone from doing your work. Online learning interferes with learning because you will always want to take a break from the assignment that you doing or go to talk to a friend because they came over and stopped by to see you. It makes your lose concentration; and when you’re in a class your attention is directed on who was talking and what was being said. Online learning can harm the benefits of classroom learning because you’re focus is not all there, you don’t get to pick up new skills and develop new learning techniques. You want to have good grades and get the grades that you deserve. You want to pass your classes so you can move forward to the next one. You came to class you prove that you are motivated to do what you needed to do to succeed. Don’t always settle for online learning because you are too lazy to get out of bed or too lazy to get dressed to leave the house. It’s not always the best thing to do. Get more focused and determined to get the grade that you deserve and needing to improve your life and have it the way that you want it. Give classroom learning a chance; it works for me so why not you?