Internet vs. Traditional Classrooms

Modern technology has brought about many changes in education sector. The way students are taught in schools has changed due to development of new education resources. Internet has changed traditional education systems besides opening new avenues through which education is provided to students (Goldenberg, Russell, & Cook 16). One such avenue is enabling lecturers to teach through the internet instead of going physically to classrooms to lecture. This paper will discuss internet and traditional methods of education.

Traditional classroom method of teaching has been known to be the most effective over the years. This method enables teachers to provide information to students through face-to-face method of communication. Therefore, it facilitates delivery of education effectively and efficiently. It enhances high level of interaction between the lecturer and the student leading to high concentration and participation. In addition, it creates a physical environment that promotes student interaction. This enables sharing of ideas and concepts among the students. As a result, it boosts the students’ understanding of subjects being studied (Goldenberg, Russell, & Cook 40).

Conversely, traditional classroom method of teaching is tedious as it is accompanied by many courses that a student must complete before graduating. Some of these courses do not have practical importance. Therefore, attending classes physically may not be important. Students who work fulltime find it hard to meet their goals because they waste time moving from workplace to attend to lessons in physical classrooms. In general, this system hinders development of education because it does not allow teachers to focus on some other things such as education research that are crucial in education improvement.

Online or internet method of teaching differs from traditional method in various ways. It creates a virtual class unlike physical classrooms in traditional systems. Online teaching is enhanced by technological advancement especially internet development. This concept of teaching is new to teachers and students. However, it has gained popularity in passing knowledge (Goldenberg, Russell, & Cook 35). Currently, there are many students who are enrolled in online study programs.

According to research, this method of teaching is efficient because it gives students convenient time to finish their assignments in a timely manner. Internet learning allows part-time and fulltime employed students to learn over the internet at their convenience. Students are able to focus on specific courses that are relevant to the degree course they are undertaking. This enables them to finish their degrees on time. Moreover, students under online study programs do not travel from distant places to attend to lessons in physical classrooms. Instead, they study from their convenient places and find it easy and useful to share knowledge online.

Furthermore, this method trains students to work in a virtual environment. This encourages team work when partners or members are situated far away from each other. This is the direction the world of business has embraced where people work remotely (Goldenberg, Russell, & Cook 20).

Critics of internet learning/teaching system of education argue that it has not yet become an efficient method of facilitating education despite many advantages associated with it. They claim that online teaching or learning makes education to appear like an industrial process that lacks physical human interaction because it alienates teachers from students.

Moreover, some institutions do not recognize degrees that were earned online. This means that the system has not yet been accepted universally as being capable of conferring valid degrees, diplomas or certificates. Some people still question the validity and effectiveness of this method of teaching. It is expensive for institutions to install the infrastructure that supports online lesson delivery.

Conclusion

Online/internet method of teaching is the future of education as traditional classrooms are fading away gradually.

Works cited

Goldenberg, A., Russell, M., & Cook, A. “The effect of Computers on Student Writing: A Meta- Analysis of Studies from 1992 to 2002”. Journal of Technology, Learning, and Assessment 2.1 (2004): 1-52. Print.