The quality of online learning has been a hot topic in recent years, especially since students all over the world were practically “compelled” to participate due to a pandemic that occurred in 2020. This “new direction” of learning has been scrutinized since it gained traction, but many people believe that online learning is just as, if not more, efficient than traditional learning. This is why we will go over some of the benefits and drawbacks of online learning today and ask you to make an educated guess as to which side outweighs the other. Without further ado, let’s get started, shall we?
Advantages
Cost-friendly
Online learning has enabled a large number of students from all walks of life to gain free access to a wide range of classes and learning materials. Not only that, but it also significantly reduced travel and living expenses for many people living abroad. And it makes sense; all you really need is a reliable internet connection and a decent computer (even a smartphone is enough in some cases). Given that most learning materials are now available for free online, the online learning experience has virtually eliminated the need to spend a small fortune on school supplies. This alone allows anyone with a working smartphone to educate themselves from the comfort of their own home, without having to spend a dime on notebooks and other learning materials.
Convenient
Online learning allows students to take classes from virtually any location in the world without having to waste hours of their day commuting from point A to point B. You can use the extra time you would otherwise waste getting ready and traveling to take more classes, pursue hobbies, or, let’s be honest, take a nap or watch that Netflix show everyone is raving about. Aside from the cost and time efficiency, online learning has opened up a whole new world of information to help you with your learning experience without having to rely on dry text books. You can always find a fun way to study for your exams these days, with so much interesting and visual content available online.
Disadvantages
Isolation
Isolation is currently the most powerful counterargument to online learning. Traditional learning encourages communication among students by gathering them all in close proximity to one another, whereas online learning implies that students are alone on their devices, confined to their laptops at home. Nobody can deny the charm of sitting in a classroom full of people, and online learning almost entirely eliminates the fun and overall experience of meeting your colleagues in person. Schooling was never just about the material that needed to be covered; it also played a significant role in making friends, participating in group activities, and even falling in love. Unfortunately, virtual learning removes students’ physical proximity, exacerbating many people’s feelings of isolation.
More screen time
It’s common knowledge that people spend far too much time on their computers, and adding hours of classes to the mix only adds to the problem. You don’t have to be an expert to understand that constant screen exposure can have a negative impact on one’s health, as prolonged screen time can cause serious posture and vision issues. Many students may complain of headaches as a result of constantly staring at bright screens, and we have yet to find an ideal solution to this problem. Maybe things would be different if students didn’t spend so much of their free time glued to their screens, but that’s a topic for another day.
Conclusion
Despite some obvious disadvantages, we believe that the benefits of online learning outweigh the drawbacks. With an abundance of information available online, everyone and anyone can educate themselves on virtually any subject these days. It’s a huge step toward ensuring that a large number of people have access to education, and a well-educated world is a prosperous one indeed.