Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?
I don't think it will ever totally replace traditional classroom delivery. I think it may offer opportunities for students that otherwise may not have the learning opportunity. I do think it is becoming more traditional because of those who are returning to school and enjoy the flexible schedule. I do think that it's going to take a change in the minds of people to accept online degrees along with those of the brick and mortar colleges and universities.
Online learning will eventually replace traditional classroom delivery of instruction? Do you agree or disagree? Explain your answer.
Tamara,
I like your analysis of the future delivery model for education. Technology has enables access to courses in many different formats and as a result more people are advancing their education than ever before. As for the delivery model of the future I think as you mention there is always going to be a number of choices a student can make based upon his or her situation and learning preference.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Eventually, perhaps. My belief is that as long as there are students who want to have the face to face, in person experience--we will continue to have traditional classrooms. And there are some courses (e.g. clinical, lab-based) that will require students to be on-site to access specialized equipment/procedure monitoring.
For those "theory-based" courses, however, I would predict that as technology advances and the online platforms become more visual/interactive and accessible to the masses--students will happily receive that experience from the comfort of their own homes.
I might also predict that cost will be a driver. It seems as though technology is always more expensive initially but with time the costs seem to decrease. So, if online classes finally become less expensive than traditional classes--we might find that students migrate that direction. The traditional college experience might then become even more of an "exclusive" experience that only the most affluent or gifted can afford.
Phyllis,
Good point and one that will be factored into the education delivery model as institutions do their long term vision planning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Heather,
I agree. I think both will be around for a long time, with each meeting different needs of different learners.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Dr. Anatasia,
I think you are correct. Each delivery format has a place to play in the educational model so we will continue to see both for the long term.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Jacquilin,
You are right about different learner preferences. I prefer face to face myself though I teach many online courses. I like teaching my online courses but it would be fun to meet each student in a classroom session and have an in-depth discussion with them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think that online learning will eventually replace face to face classroom environments. The reason I think this is number one the cost. The cost associated to operate the buildings, etc.. can be contained via online. Granted there are some courses that will have to be onsight to take but mostly everything can be taken online now a days!
I don't think it will fully replace the traditional classroom, because there are some people's learning stye that needs to physically see it.
I do not believe that online learning will replace traditional methods. If anything, more traditional schools will contine to use online options as part of the catalogue.
No, I think there are some students who prefer face-to-face interaction. I believe some courses are best taught on-ground. Ivy league schools finally realizing that online delivery is not inferior-just different than traditional classroom. Online education will continue to grow not only for higher education, but for K-12 as parents are looking for more options they are not finding in local schools.
I don't think that online classes will completely replace the traditional classroom. There are many students who are better off learning in a traditional classroom environment. I firmly believe that not everyone is cut out for learning online. It takes a certain amount of discipline to be successful in an online environment. Some courses are also, I feel, better taught in a traditional classroom setting in certain situations. Not everyone, myself included would fare well taking a statistics class or a chemistry class online. Also, a lot of young people want and need the camaraderie that comes as part and parcel of attending a college / university in person- living in the dorm, joining clubs, etc. This said, however,I do believe that as time goes by, we will see an increase in hybrid courses. Many courses traditionally taught in the classroom may have an online component to them. For example, a psychology course may have an online component where lectures are delivered virtually, and then students will be required to attend a recitation or lab in person. I think the hybrid classes will be very useful.
I think it has already and will continue to replace a traditional classroom in some aspects. For many public institutions, online is an alternative for revenue.
I don't think online will totally replace traditional classes, but I do think that they will become the choice of most students in the future with more and more schools making the move to online.
Sheila,
Well stated. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
While online education may not replace traditional classrooms, I think it is certainly heading in that direction and gaining momentum each day. There seems to be a steady shift in the way students are viewing their educational needs. Even ten years ago, most people would not have predicted that online education would become as popular as it is today. There are three great reasons that many of my students give for choosing online classes --- convenience of earning a degree from home, flexibility of completing assignments, and ability to balance education and jobs. As more people share this view, online learning will at least gain recognition as being as valuable end respectable as traditional learning.
I think that online learning will increase in value but will not completely replace in-class courses. Whether it's because of comfort with technology or the need for person to person interaction, classrooms and hands on learn will always have its place. This is especially true when it comes to hands on types of topics. I used to teach community college course prep for the Network + certification and it was a hybrid course. The course itself was held online while a one day lab session was scheduled at the end to give students hands on time making cables and setting up a physical network. It always helped attendance if I brought pizza; we computer geeks flock to food. Now maybe someday there will be virtual reality courses where you can use 3d gloves to manipulate virtual cabling or build a virtual computer with virtual parts, but until then there will still be a need for the screw driver and wire strippers.
I would agree that to a large extent this will happen. Due to the convenience and accessibility of online education, most adult learners and most younger students will prefer this medium.
Online classroom is very highly sort after from non-traditional students. These students are usually family orientated or work fulltime. The need for online classes will increase, but will never surpass the classroom experience.
Dan S
