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| http://www.tickld.com/t/106954 |
A major debate in education in all grades the last few years, has been whether or not online learning is effective as face-to-face learning. This has become more prevalent as technology and the internet are more easily accessible. For example, some private schools issue iPads and/or laptops to all their students while many public schools now have at least one computer in each classroom. All schools have a computer lab or media center with access to computers so that students are using and more familiar with the internet and technology each year.
Some feel that students need to be in the classroom, to interact with the teacher, to discuss topics with classmates, and to fully engage with the subject. Others feel that all of this can be accomplished through an online course as well. And I can see how they are both right. I think it ultimately comes down to the learning needs of the student and the type of teacher structuring a course.
An in the classroom course can be terrible and painfully boring if the teacher just lectures every day from Power Points and likewise for the online teacher if they only assign writing tasks and do not enrich the experience with technology. That said, the type of student can also determine the success of either version--either they are motivated and participate or not.
I can see both sides of the situation and ultimately feel that it comes down to the learning needs of the student as to what makes for a more "successful" course. Some students do not work well in a classroom setting and need that online, individual experience to connect to the subject while others need that engaging group atmosphere to excel.
