Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of educational professionals and students transitioned from in-person instruction to an online learning model. With the onset of a “new normal,” students have forcibly had to adapt to a new learning model’s various challenges, changes, and benefits. This article will discuss the significant differences between online and in-person learning and how they affect students.
Online learning is preferable for students who feel comfortable using a technological device and consider using technology in the classroom to be a beneficial way to learn new concepts. However, if a student is uncomfortable using technological devices like computers and tablets, in-person learning might be the recommended modality of instruction in the classroom.
Remote learning also enables students to join a classroom setting from virtually any location with an internet connection, such as their home or a local library. Also, when students learn online, enduring prolonged commutes and traveling to a brick-and-mortar building is not required. However, in-person learning requires that students be physically at a specific location by a specified time, which may be difficult for those who live far away or cannot travel to their school or learning institution.
Next, students who prefer to meet face-to-face with a teacher can ask questions and request clarification about lesson concepts during class or office hours. These students may also favor interacting with classmates through in-class discussions, team assignments, group activities, and lab work. On the other hand, students who would instead meet with school staff and peers online can do so through platforms like a breakout session, discussion forum, email, video meetings, phone calls, live chat sessions, etc.
Taking exams online also may benefit students who prefer to use an exam proctoring service or digital learning management tool. However, having scheduled exam sessions at a brick-and-mortar school may be preferable for students who would instead rather take exams in person.
In-person learning is ideal for academic subjects that require specific facilities, such as a gymnasium, greenhouse, or lab. Students who learn online may be limited in the facilities they have access to, which can restrict their breadth of learning and minimize the opportunity for a more hands-on educational approach.
Finally, remote learning enables students to learn at their own pace while having flexibility with their schedules. If they cannot attend a virtual class session, they can rewatch the video recording multiple times until they retrieve all the missed information. However, in-person courses tend to be more regimented and have pre-determined schedules.
In conclusion, it’s impossible to determine which learning style is more effective after evaluating the pros and cons of both. Due to the ongoing effects of the global pandemic, it’s safe to say that online learning will remain at the vanguard of modern instruction. Thus, students will benefit from discovering which method is more constructive for them as they navigate an increasingly virtual terrain in schools and the world.