Comparison on Online Learning and School-Based Subjects

Introduction

Education is one of the youth’s priorities. The growing interest of the people in the education is both seen in the developing and developed countries. However, because of the various advancements in technologies and the rapid changes in the pedagogical curriculum, the people are striving to find the most convenient approach in which they can learn without having the trouble in going to school. Because of this search the online-learning is introduced against the traditional learning setting. Because of the two modes of learning, what are the advantages and disadvantages of two systems?

School-Based Subject or Online Learning

As we all know, the school-based learning are done within the school premises. The interaction of people is important as well as the area of communication and collaboration. Teachers and books are the only source of information and peers are very common in this setting. Most of the time of a normal student is allotted for the school and other extra-curricular activities. In the entire day of a student, it can be stressful and full of pressure.

On the other hand, the advances in the communication technologies that started in the mid-1990 became the foundation and inspiration in different types of institutions. The common type of organizations that uses the information technologies are the international organizations that needs to communicate in all parts of the world, the banks, and the prestigious hospitals. The feasibility of the other organization can be also applied with the education; therefore, the online learning is introduced. Online learning is also called as the e-learning, virtual learning, distance education, and web-based education are the terms applied to the new kind of trend in education that is dedicated to provide the education, ideally, for the students that are in remote areas. Because of their situation, the teacher can still reach the students and learn their subjects even without going to school (Stennes, 2005).

Pros and Cons

Both School-based learning and online learning faces the issues regarding the advantages and disadvantages. Of course, there is no system that can provide all the advantages for the people and the system, and it is better that the student can weigh the pros and cons before creating the decision on what suits the student’s needs.

In the comparison of the benefits and drawbacks of online learning against the school-based learning, the online learning can be the most adventure type of learning method that can be applied. Through the use of online learning, the student can discover other areas of knowledge and be advanced on learning against the other students who uses the school-based learning. The online learners have more potential in using the technologies and technically, the media. However, the online learners are prone to lose their concentrations while learning via online. Because of the popularity of social networking sites, online games, and other offerings through the internet, the learning can be delayed.

Furthermore, the online learning can be convenient to the students, especially if they are working students. The costs that the student should pay are expected to be higher than the normal school learning. This is because, most of the universities are offering scholarships in which do not apply in online learning and the government has subsidized the tuition of the students in which again, do not take effect in the online learning. The online learning has fixed courses, which means that the online learners have the disadvantages in catching the changes pedagogical curriculum if there were no updates on the databases.

The personal contact or socialization is also missing. It is important for the total growth of a person to interact with other people and create a connection between them (Thomas & Macgregor, 2005). Meeting friends through socialization is totally different in meeting friends via online. However, the reliability of the information on online learning is still in questions. Many documents and information are spread throughout the internet, which may difficult for the student to weigh its reliability. However, the teachers are the primary people who can assess the appropriate information and can create an in-depth explanation regarding the subjects. Ethical considerations are also a topic in the online learning. Such examples are the use of permission from the original owners in obtaining the information, logos, photos, and other essential learning needs (Sullivan, 2002).

Conclusion

The choice of the learner depends on his situation. There are no wrong decisions because both settings has a concept of educating and no matter what a student prefer, they can still earn the knowledge. However, they should still consider on what he thinks suits to him.

References:

Stennes, B., (2005) Advantages and Disadvantages of Web-based Learning [Online] Available at: http://www.resourcesunlimited.com/images/Advantages_and_Disadvantages_of_Web-based_Learning.pdf [Accessed 05 Aug 2010].

Sullivan, K.M., (2002) Online Learning Adventure: Extending Student Learning [Online] Available at: http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/sullivk/online_learning_adventures.htm [Accessed 05 Aug 2010].

Thomas, W.R., Macgregor, S.K., (2005) Online Project-Based Learning: How Collaborative Strategies and Problem Solving Processes Impact Performance, Journal of Interactive Learning Research, 16(1)