Online and Traditional Classes and Their Featured
In recent years it has become more common for colleges and even high schools to offer both online and traditional courses. Some schools even offer a mix of courses and call it a “hybrid” class. Most students have their own preferences on what type of course they would like to take since both offer a variety of benefits and disadvantages. The online and traditional courses are alike in many ways, but they also have a variety of differences. These similarities and differences are key factors that students use to determine what type of course they would like to take.
Online classes are exactly as they sound; courses that are taught using an online canvas or platform. Sometimes, teachers have podcast lectures where students can “sit-in” and then complete an attached document of questions or write a prompt based on an essay. Other times, the online classes are more simplified. Some online courses require students to read a chapter two of a book and answer the questions that follow in a text box on the online canvas. The most relevant argument that stems from online classes is that it takes away social interaction between students and teachers, as well as students and other students.
Traditional classes are the classes that most people grew up with. In traditional classes you take the bus to school at a specific time, begin learning at a specific time, and sit through a lecture and then complete the assigned classwork and homework that is given by the professor. This allows the students learn in a more hands-on method. The most relevant argument that stems from traditional classes is that not every student learns or operates the same within an educational environment.
There are blatant similarities between online and traditional courses. They both offer ways of learning to students; sharing the overall goal of educating. Online and traditional courses also require some sort of educational work whether it is in-class or online homework. While the ways of teaching may be different, both ways are taught by a teacher and observed by students. There are also rules and regulations that occur in both online courses and traditional courses; due dates, plagiarism clauses, etc.
While there are many similarities there are also a few differences. The obvious difference is that one is taught in a physical building while the other is taught on an online platform. Another difference is that online classes are usually more lenient; due dates are taken less seriously and effort generally counts more than content. Social interaction is also a distinguishing point between online and traditional courses. Many students that take online courses will quite literally never have contact with their professor or fellow students. When a student is placed in a traditional course, they really have no choice but to have contact with both the professor and students.
Overall, the decision of whether or not a student wants to use online or traditional courses is completely based on preference. Some students may like a less stressful online course while other students may like a more interactive traditional course. They courses have a number of similarities and differences that contribute to the decision. Regardless of the decision, students must always remember that education is key.