Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?
Online learning will eventually replace traditional classroom delivery of instruction? Do you agree or disagree? Explain your answer.
Dear Colleagues:
Right now we are debating whether online learning will replace traditional learning. Imagine, if a third modality of learning is invented using holograms, virtual reality or brain to brain transfer of knowledge through some presently unimaginable technology. In that case online learning will be described as "traditional" learning. Learning as means of delivering value to the student will take whatever form that is available and popular. In the Indian tradition of scriptures, art and music knowledge is still transferred orally from a guru to a disciple. There are books and CDs available that teach Indian classical music but it is nearly impossible to learn from just those. However, many Indian music masters are teaching one on one in an online setting throughout the world. Now, this is still one on and oral. So will this be called traditional or online?
To address the main question, many forms of learning will exist simultaneously as long as any of them become practically difficult to implement.
mayuresh
@herbbrown
I once saw a cartoon depicting a dog typing on a computer keyboard. The caption said in an online class they don't know that you are a dog!
But seriously, someone who wants to cheat wil do so in any format of class. Papers can be plagiarized as easily in a traditional class as in an online class. Unauthorized collaboration can also happen on or off line.
mayuresh
I disagree. There are still some important benefits for traditional classroom delivery. I do see a shift towards incorporating different andragogy in the classroom to stimulate learning and make the learning more student centered. However, there is still much value in the traditional classroom delivery. There are concepts that can be learned much faster in a traditional setting with instruction from the professor. Once learned, this could provide additional time for other active learning techniques.
Hi-
I think that online education will continue to grow and provide new tools to enhance the educational experience. That said, I believe that a segment of learners will still need/desire the in-person/traditional learning experience.
Online education has already entered the mainstream high school education system and will only grow in the foreseeable future.
Jocelyn Williamson
I hope as culinary instructor it oes not come down to that, however, with new video technology it could happen soon.@herbbrown
@herbbrown
That may have been the case in 2012, but research in 2015 indicates the opposite, actually.
@herbbrown I don't totally agree, I think it will be a hybrid. Not all students are adapt to online learning. As being an online student in one point in life, I still like the classroom. Online is more convenient. Online teaching is the now here and more and more people are returning to school, online and the classroom.
@herbbrown I don't believe that online learning will ever completely replace the in-class experience. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. I believe that there will always be people and fields which require a degree of one on one interaction in the classroom.
Fantastic debate. I have taught onground for 9 years and online for 5 years. I love both. I have also utilized the Blended model. We had a snowstorm in Atlanta some time ago and I was teaching at the Atlanta campus. We had a 'Snow Day' but had to make up for the Snow Day. So I did a Blended model which my students and I so much enjoyed that they were asking for more Blended assignments like those.
So for emergencies, transportation, geographic flexibilities, professional and family demands will drive and force especially the younger generation to continue to gear towards Online or Blended Learning. I did both my Masters and
Doctorate online while traveling between China, Europe, Africa and the United States. I think the Future will tell.
I disagree that it will COMPLETELY replace it. Although, I do think we are entering times where education is going to need to become more flexible to the student's demands as opposed to the student becoming more flexible to the college's demands. I believe the trend will begin moving to very focused, detailed, and time-shortened education, which traditional face-to-face education has yet to embrace.
I do not believe that online learning will completely replace face to face learning environments. We still need to consider learning preferences and accommodations for students with specific learning needs, all of which can not be managed and addressed using just one approach to education.
Diane-You are absolutley correct, as I've had students tell me that they will not attend college if they don't have the option of having face-to-face interaction with their professors. Actually, I was one of those students, and I can remember how important that was to me when obtaining my degrees.
In my opinion online learning will never replace traditional classroom delivery. Not because people cannot be taught at the same level online, but due to the need for human interaction. One of the joys of learning is experiencing the learning with others.
I don’t think online learning will ever totally replace classroom learning as some areas of study (ex: chemistry, biology) require a more hands-on, classroom instructor. However I feel that most fields of study (business, computers, history, etc.) will eventually be mostly online learning instead of classroom learning. For one it is extremely more cost effective and every school is first and foremost a business. I think online delivery and techniques will continue to get better.
No, I don't think it will ever completely replace the traditional classroom delivery. While it is true that online teaching is growing in acceptance and use, I believe there will always be a place for the traditional classroom setting.
Students, especially those at a young age, need the actual presence of their instructor. They need the warmth and personal mentoring that accompanies immediacy.
Some classes are better delivered in an on campus delivery system. Lab classes and others that require tools, devices etc., are still probably better managed in an actual class.
I teach both online and on campus classes. I like both and think that both offer opportunities for learning. Some students prefer one method over the other. That is fine. I don't think anyone should be forced to learn in a manner that is not compatible with their preferences. Both teaching options should be available and optional.
I disagree with online learning to replace traditional classrooms. There must be a balance of on-line learning and traditional classrooms. Both benefit from each other.
Valaire,
For many of the reasons you describe hybrid and blended learning environments that blend the online learning and traditional learning environments are growing rapidly.
Herbert Brown III
I agree that both are here to stay and this will benefit all students. I see the younger generations wanting the online route heck they have been raised on technology that is all they know
