Pros of classroom teaching 1. Having numerous students learning in the same classroom has the added benefit of allowing students to exchange ideas and questions with one another providing another valuable learning medium that online environments cannot replicate. First-hand interaction with the educating professor also allows for ideas to be exchanged freely and without any communication barriers. 2. Improve social skills. 3. Offer one-on-one support from teachers. 4. Presence of a Teacher: A teacher can guide the students well. He/she can help them understand difficult concepts, and thereby develop efficient studying techniques. This is the biggest advantage of classroom learning. 5. Group Study: A classroom provides the perfect setting to fuel brainstorming and group study. Helping each other is one of the best ways to clear your concepts and strengthen them. You can learn how to prepare better for your exams by taking tips from each other. 6. Presentations: Oral presentations and seminars give you the opportunity to get over stage fright and gain confidence too. This goes a long way in making you more able when you step into the professional world. 7. Wider Exposure: In terms of subjects you study as well as people you meet, classroom education gives you a wider exposure. Through interaction with students from different disciplines, you can better evaluate your own interests and choose a career that is perfect for you. In the process, you may even make friends for life, who knows!
Pros of Online learning 1. Allows for learning in distant or disadvantaged locations 2. Online education is easy to access and provides a convenient way to obtain course materials such as homework, exam schedules, test scores and more. Most online learning environments are accessible from a standard internet connection and typically require average home computer system requirements. 3. Facilitates easy information transfer 4. Online learning is available 24/7 - flexibility 5. Pace of Learning: Different students will find different concepts difficult. When you enroll in a distance learning program, you can study it at your own pace, spending more time on concepts you find difficult and less on those you find easy. The structure of the course is hence less rigid. 6. Study Hours: You can choose your study hours when in a distance learning course. This leaves you enough time to pursue your other interests. 7. Independent Learning: The information or knowledge you acquire will have greater scope in case of a distance learning course. Your knowledge will not remain confined to your course material or the teacher or professor. You can explore the domain that interests you, and you can choose the depth to which you want to study a subject. 8. Time, Money and Comfort: This saves a lot of time and money with respect to traveling. Other expenses like stationary material, bags, books, etc. can also be saved on. Plus you can choose a study environment you are most comfortable with - your room, the terrace garden, or a local café.
Is Online for Me?
Classroom vs. Online
Use this table to help you consider the similarities and differences between these two course options: | Classroom | Online | Preparation Time | Typically, after buying your textbook, you are ready to attend class and participate as indicated by the syllabus. | Since many online courses are offered in shortened semesters, having a plan for completion of work is helpful. Completing the introductory module before class begins is recommended. | Logistics/Pace | Occurs at a set time in a set location. Instructor typically controls the pace of the classes. | Student determines the time of day and location for participating in activities. Student may complete some work at his or her own pace. | Lectures | Presented orally to a group at the same time. Allows for immediate questions and changes for clarification purposes. Allows instructor to see students' nonverbal responses to information and check for comprehension. | Note: Due dates are typically included and many activities are intended to be completed during specific weeks of the course. | Discussions | Often occur and add to interaction in the classroom. May be monopolized by only a few students if not effectively facilitated. Sensitive topics may discourage participation. Many instructors opt for lectures instead of discussions. | Can be viewed at a time that is convenient for the learner. The instructor cannot see students and will only know if problems exist if the students contact him or her. Questions can be submitted at any time for clarification purposes. | Assessments | Instructor can select type to be given. Formal tests and papers are common. Projects may also be used and presented to the group. Students are monitored to minimize cheating during testing times and students must complete the exam during a predetermined testing period. | Often included to allow for participation by all students. Everyone must participate. Allows instructor to assess quality of individual contributions. Appropriate for sensitive topics if ground rules are established. Discussions are written not oral. | | Classroom | Online | Study Aids and Self Tests | Instructors can distribute to students or recommend options for help. Quizzes can be graded by other students and easily completed during class time. | Instructor can select type to be given although some limitations may exist for certain types of projects. Formal tests can be randomized easily and are often open book exams. Students must be ready to complete tests in one setting and are strictly limited to an exact amount of time. Usually offered during a larger testing window such as any time on a given day. | Group Projects | Students can get together more easily to complete tasks. Instructor can observe group effectiveness and make recommendations for improvement if problems are present or if group is not on track with desired outcomes. | Self tests and study aids can be created and included in modules. These can be automatically graded. Students determine if remedial practice is needed. Students can also take advantage of enrichment activities as included in course. | Lab Work | Students can have hands-on practice of processes and procedures. They will have natural consequences for errors which may at times put them at risk. In some disciplines, students must work with and observe actual specimens or subjects since not all responses can be simulated. | Students are separated by time and space. Groups can be established that allow for individuals to complete some tasks that can be combined to create a collaborative finished product. Online chats and discussions can be used to assist in the group process. | Assignments | Instructors can select from a wide variety of assignments. In classrooms, students can perform and develop public speaking skills. Immediate feedback from peers is often provided along with formal feedback from instructor. | Students can participate in simulations that minimize risks. Animations may allow students to review reactions at a slower pace and take a closer look at processes that may not be easily observed in laboratory. Students can review simulations as often as needed with no added cost. It is important that simulations have consequences for not adhering to safety regulations. | Feedback | Instructors often respond immediately to students. Large classes may prohibit instructors from offering meaningful feedback to each individual. | Written assignments will be the easiest for students to complete and submit. Other types of assignments will require additional technical support and technical skills for students. Immediate response to assignments from peers is not available, but other feedback opportunities can be included. | Reading Materials | Students can use textbooks and articles provided by the instructor to augment content presented in classroom | Instructors can provide feedback to all students. Feedback can be personalized. There are delays in providing answers when questions are asked. Instructor response time may be slower than anticipated. | Learning Community | Students can interact directly with classmates. It may be difficult for large classes to build community, but smaller group sessions often encourage interaction. | Instructors can include any number of articles as part of an electronic course reserve. Courses may include links to helpful websites. | Additional Aspects | Many students prefer the social aspect of a classroom setting. Many students like to have personal interaction with the instructor and are more successful when lessons are presented in real time. | Requires instructor to add in opportunities for interaction among students. Discussions and group work promote community. |

| | | Classroom | | Online | | | Preparation Time | | Typically, after buying your textbook, you are ready to attend class and participate as indicated by the syllabus. | | Since many online courses are offered in shortened semesters, having a plan for completion of work is helpful. Completing the introductory module before class begins is recommended. | | | Logistics/Pace | | Occurs at a set time in a set location. Instructor typically controls the pace of the classes. | | Student determines the time of day and location for participating in activities. Student may complete some work at his or her own pace. Note: Due dates are typically included and many activities are intended to be completed during specific weeks of the course. | | | Lectures | | Presented orally to a group at the same time. Allows for immediate questions and changes for clarification purposes. Allows instructor to see students' nonverbal responses to information and check for comprehension. | | Can be viewed at a time that is convenient for the learner. The instructor cannot see students and will only know if problems exist if the students contact him or her. Questions can be submitted at any time for clarification purposes. | | | Discussions | | Often occur and add to interaction in the classroom. May be monopolized by only a few students if not effectively facilitated. Sensitive topics may discourage participation. Many instructors opt for lectures instead of discussions. | | Often included to allow for participation by all students. Everyone must participate. Allows instructor to assess quality of individual contributions. Appropriate for sensitive topics if ground rules are established. Discussions are written not oral. | | | Assessments | | Instructor can select type to be given. Formal tests and papers are common. Projects may also be used and presented to the group. Students are monitored to minimize cheating during testing times and students must complete the exam during a predetermined testing period. | | Instructor can select type to be given although some limitations may exist for certain types of projects. Formal tests can be randomized easily and are often open book exams. Students must be ready to complete tests in one setting and are strictly limited to an exact amount of time. Usually offered during a larger testing window such as any time on a given day. | | | Study Aids and Self Tests | | Instructors can distribute to students or recommend options for help. Quizzes can be graded by other students and easily completed during class time. | | Self tests and study aids can be created and included in modules. These can be automatically graded. Students determine if remedial practice is needed. Students can also take advantage of enrichment activities as included in course. | | | Group Projects | | Students can get together more easily to complete tasks. Instructor can observe group effectiveness and make recommendations for improvement if problems are present or if group is not on track with desired outcomes. | | Students are separated by time and space. Groups can be established that allow for individuals to complete some tasks that can be combined to create a collaborative finished product. Online chats and discussions can be used to assist in the group process. | | | Lab Work | | Students can have hands-on practice of processes and procedures. They will have natural consequences for errors which may at times put them at risk. In some disciplines, students must work with and observe actual specimens or subjects since not all responses can be simulated. | | Students can participate in simulations that minimize risks. Animations may allow students to review reactions at a slower pace and take a closer look at processes that may not be easily observed in laboratory. Students can review simulations as often as needed with no added cost. It is important that simulations have consequences for not adhering to safety regulations. | | | Assignments | | Instructors can select from a wide variety of assignments. In classrooms, students can perform and develop public speaking skills. Immediate feedback from peers is often provided along with formal feedback from instructor. | | Written assignments will be the easiest for students to complete and submit. Other types of assignments will require additional technical support and technical skills for students. Immediate response to assignments from peers is not available, but other feedback opportunities can be included. | | | Feedback | | Instructors often respond immediately to students. Large classes may prohibit instructors from offering meaningful feedback to each individual. | | Instructors can provide feedback to all students. Feedback can be personalized. There are delays in providing answers when questions are asked. Instructor response time may be slower than anticipated. | | | Reading Materials | | Students can use textbooks and articles provided by the instructor to augment content presented in classroom | | Instructors can include any number of articles as part of an electronic course reserve. Courses may include links to helpful websites. | | | Learning Community | | Students can interact directly with classmates. It may be difficult for large classes to build community, but smaller group sessions often encourage interaction. | | Requires instructor to add in opportunities for interaction among students. Discussions and group work promote community. | | | Additional Aspects | | Many students prefer the social aspect of a classroom setting. Many students like to have personal interaction with the instructor and are more successful when lessons are presented in real time. | | Many students are busy and prefer online offerings. Many students, however, do not have the time management skills necessary to be successful in this type of course. | |

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