Online Education vs Traditional Education Essay Example for Free

Online Education vs Traditional Education Essay Nowadays, with the technology furtherance and the increased use of the internet, online education has gained significant acceptance and popularity all over the world. Not too long ago, online education offered no competition to traditional education . Today, with more choices being offered online, traditional education is now facing a number of challenges in every level. This has as a result, the competition between those two educational programs, having to compare the advantages and disadvantages of both methods of study, being measured since those methods are means for us to expand our opportunities and advance our careers. In the following paragraphs, I will expand the differences and similarities between online education and traditional education and compare their characteristics. Online education is defined as the creation and proliferation of the personal computer, the globalization of ideas and other human acts, and the use of technology in exchanging ideas and providing access to more people. Audio, video, computer, and networking technologies are often combined to create a multifaceted instructional delivery system. The fundamental method to unite the distance learning instructor with the distance learner is the network. Networks suitable for distance learning implementations include satellite, cable modem, digital subscriber lines (DSL), and wireless cable, (Collins, 2002). According to an article, students need to monitor their progress to the technology evolution and adjust their strategies for learning based on their development. Plus they need to control a time management schedule in order to complete online learning activities in the proper timeframes, (Orellana, 2009, p. 470). Online education requires time management skills and requires self-discipline. It takes patience, time and energy to be able to do that with success. The online student must be able to balance school, work, and a family. However, proper management must be maintained in order to balance all of the responsibilities and be successful in all areas. Online education gives you the opportunity to pursue quality and affordable education without interrupting your personal or professional life. It allows more flexibility and you are able to manage your study schedule according to your comfort and availability of time. So, you can program your personal life respectively with your studies thanks to the online education’s special mode of learning. This gives to the students the comfort to study from their homes, workplaces or anywhere they are in the world. What’s more is that, many distance programs allow to their student to complete the coursework any time during the day, while still adhering to overall deadlines. Online education has lower cost. It is considered more affordable than traditional because there are no transportations costs, no need to buy textbooks and you do not need to rent a place to live close to the university. Also, online education programs offer scholarships, financial aid packages, including loans and grants, exactly as the traditional education institutions. Another characteristic that cannot be ignored is communication. In online education programs you can communicate with your tutors anytime you want, anywhere, with any way you prefer to communicate (with the technology you have available). Online educational techniques are not only flexible and interactive, but at the same time interesting as. Besides, the fact that the student has straight access to an assigned professor or lecturer, allows each student to learn with the methods that work best for them. Another feature of online education is that if you are not a social person, an online school may be the right choice for you. You do not have to deal with meeting up new people. Moreover, a big part of people choose to follow the online education route for the quantity of material they are able to find, or because the tutors are more obtainable via internet than they would be in a normal classroom setting. At the same time, there are some similarities which can be seen in an online and traditional system of education. First of all, assignments are a part of learning, whether you choose to attend classes online or in a traditional system, you will be assigned homework to complete. The assignments are expected to be done about the course you are enrolled in and delivered them to your personal tutor between the deadlines. A second similarity between online and traditional system is that the reference material text books are common for both systems. Even though a course may be taken online, text books are still central to learning relevant information and many of the students are using the electronic books. In traditional education, students have to buy the books because they study from them in the class and home. Thirdly, tests and exams are used to test your understanding and retention of a particular topic/subject. It is usually given to students during the academic semesters including midterms. Even though you may study in an online course, you have to expect to be required for course exams. Exams may be given online, or you may be required to visit the institutions campus to complete the exam. In both education systems, students have common information to study thus they have common exams. Last but not least, academic instructors make themselves available to students to help them learn the required material. Whether you are attending school online or on campus, professors are likely to have office hours, where you can get clarification on an issue or otherwise communicate with your professor. In both the types of classes, teachers will be available to help the students in any matter. Alternatives ways to contact them would be email. Traditional education, also known as back-to-basics, conventional education or customary education, refers to long-established customs found in schools that society has traditionally deemed appropriate. Some forms of education reform promote the adoption of progressive education practices, a more holistic approach which focuses on individual students needs and self-expression. In the eyes of reformers, traditional teacher-centered methods focused on rote learning and memorization must be abandoned in favor of student-centered and task-based approaches to learning. However, many parents and conservative citizens are concerned with the maintenance of objective educational standards based on testing, which favors a more traditional approach. (Wikipedia,2011) First of all, school is a main place which you can meet up people from different places in your community. Friendship is too important, no-one can live without having a friend around. School is the most important place for humanity to learn. It is very important for everyone because is a place that people can build up strong relationships with each other and also is a place to learn a lot of information. In addition, communication is easy because everyone is on the same building the same hours. So, it is easier for students to study together and help each other. You can ask questions whenever you deal with difficulties either to your teacher either to your classmates because you are all in each other lives. Lastly, study at school is easy for the teacher to take care of the students, help them and get to know how he/she should behave according to the student. Whenever a student has questions or difficulties, he or she can ask teacher right away, also students don’t need to wait for a long time just for a question. Now, comparing the traditional education with online education system there are and some differences too. Starting with online education, firstly, students do not have the opportunity to socialize with friends and do not communicate with other people. Also, students are spending too many hours in front of one screen and that can causes back pain and eye problems. Moreover, if you have limited access to internet (connections are slow) and you do not know how to use technology then you probably fail to your lessons. Continuing with the traditional education, enables students to have more creativity and be more sociable thus they can cooperate and collaborate with each other and the teachers. It is easier to communicate because you have face-to-face contact. Furthermore, teachers can provide instant feedbacks to the students and motivate them to succeed and teach them about discipline. In my opinion, REFERENCES: * Collins, (2002), Definition of online education * Schutte, J. G. , (1996),â€Å"Virtual Teaching in Higher Education: The new intellectual superhighway or just another traffic jam? †, California State University, Northridge. * http://www. acadenia. com/education-articles/Online-education-traditional. asp * http://www. dagorret. net/difference-between-online-education-vs-traditional-education/ * http://lyzreblin. blogspot. com/2012/02/online-education-vs-traditional. html The challenges of online education * Jeni Johnson, (2012), Online Education Vs. Traditional Education, April 4 * Wikipedia, (2011), Traditional education, May, * (Orellana, Hudgins, Simonson, 2009, p. 470). * Elise Wile, Advantages and Disadvantages of Traditional Education, eHow Contributor * Similarities Between Online Traditional Classes,eHow. com In conclusion, although online education have some beneficial impacts for students, but traditional education provide better place for students to study and socialize with friends. As well as some people limitations to access technology can occurs students can not have education. An online education program can be a very rewarding experience for those individuals wanting to earn a degree in a non-traditional education environment. Studies have shown that students who are mature, self-motivated and organized are extremely successful in their online learning pursuits. By allowing students to control where and when they study, online programs are best-suited to those individuals who possess strong time management skills and are independent learners. Online learning also offers prospective students who are employed or have children and other family commitments the opportunity to earn a degree without sacrificing other important areas of their lives. Younger students, such as elementary or secondary school age, and students who are dependent learners, may find it difficult to assume the responsibilities required by an online program. Ultimately, you make the final decision as to which education program is right for you.