Publish on July 24, 2020

Online or Classroom Study: Which Option is Best for You?

Candlefox

These days just about anything can be done online, including getting an education. You can complete courses and even full degrees from the comfort of your own living room. 

Schools and Universities around the globe are recognising the myriad of learning styles that vary between individuals. With all of these options available, it can be difficult to discern which mode of learning is best for you. This article will simplify the process. By describing the advantages and disadvantages of online learning and classroom study, we’ll help you decide which option is the right fit for you. 

Online study

If you’re looking into completing your education online, you need to consider the different benefits and costs this learning platform provides. We have compiled a list of five advantageous and disadvantageous aspects of online learning to help you decide if it suits you.

Advantages

1. No travel time

Forget the stress of waking up at 7 am every morning to head into rush-hour traffic. Online education means you can plan your schedule around your day.

2. Convenient

One of the best things about being an online student is that you can open your laptop and begin class anywhere you want. Perhaps you have a full-time job or a busy schedule, online classes mean your classroom is portable.

3. Variation of eLearning

The online study comes in many different forms. Some people like to interact with a live tutor, watch live classroom sessions or simply do personal study. This means you can’t suit the learning environment at your own pace.

4. Higher information retention

Statistics have proved that eLearning courses have increased college students’ information retention rates by approximately 30% according to the Research Institute of New Zealand.

5. Personalised environment

Lastly, receiving an education online allows you to design a learning environment that will allow you to study optimally.

Disadvantages

1. Remaining disciplined

One of the main disadvantages of online study is that you have to be extremely disciplined to put in the work. If you don’t have the self-motivation to study you won’t get anything done.

2. It can be lonely

Online study is a very personal mode of learning. Therefore, you could be missing out on forming real connections and friendships.

3. Greater workload

Online courses often require a greater amount of reading and assignments than classroom study. It is not uncommon for a single course to have a work schedule of between 15-20/wk.

4. Computer time increases

An online course is completed through your laptop which means your time spent sitting at a desk will increase dramatically. This can cause poor vision, strains and back problems.

5. Impersonal

Lastly, you don’t have the luxury of being face-to-face with an educator who can help answer your questions or solve problems. This can have a heavy impact on the learning ability of some individuals.

Classroom Study

Despite the rise of online learning, the traditional classroom setting is still a favourite for many students. But is it truly the most effective way to learn? The answer to that is different for everyone, so have a read through the pros and cons of classroom learning and see what resonates with you.

Advantages

1. Face to face instruction

Classroom study allows you to have direct social interaction with your teacher.

2. Friendships and networking

In a classroom environment, you have the opportunity to meet people who have similar interests and form deeper connections than online.

3. Asking questions

You can ask questions and receive instant answers or strategies to deal with problems to enhance your learning experience.

4. Relationships

Allows you to develop a personal relationship with the teacher so they can better evaluate your skills and weaknesses.

5. Sharing notes

Classroom study enables you to share notes and study techniques with other classmates which has been proven to lead to better results.

Disadvantages

1. Travel

The early morning commute in rush hour traffic is part in parcel with traditional learning.

2. Limited flexibility

Each lesson will be on a strict time schedule meaning you don’t have the flexibility in your day.

3. Work at the class’ speed

If you have trouble keeping up with the lessons or, on the other hand, are way ahead of the curve, you are limited by having to work at the speed of the classroom.

4. Less one-on-one time

With classroom study, you are one of about 30 students a teacher may have. This could mean less one-on-one interaction with your teacher than with an online tutor.

5. Controlled environment

Lastly, the classroom environment may not be optimal for your learning and distractions could hinder your progress.

Ultimately, the decision is in your hands. The best way to figure out which way you prefer to learn is to give both classroom instruction and online learning a try. Only then will you truly be able to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of both for you personally.

But don’t forget, each mode of learning requires an equal amount of time, energy and commitment. Successful students in both classroom and e-learning respect and understand that in order to achieve their educational goals, they must be willing to work. 

Are you ready to take on the next chapter in your study journey?