The number of online schools in the United States is growing each day. They are convenient and less stressful than their traditional counterpart. However, they are not for everyone. Some learn better in traditional in-person schools. Which group do you fit in?
To help you figure out which group you fit in, we have gathered some information on the differences between the two. Although the goal to teach is the same, there are significant differences between the online learning format and the in-person format.
THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ONLINE AND IN-PERSON SCHOOLS
1. Accessibility
Online education formats provide more accessibility to students so they are best for students who don’t want to commute, who live in a city different from the school, and who travel often.
In traditional classroom formats, students must commute to their classroom, no matter the time, traffic level, or schedule. Those who live in another city must relocate their possessions and start a new life. Those who live in another country must also procure a visa and submit vaccination papers.
At online schools, none of the above is needed. Students can enroll and access their lessons in any city and in any country around the world with the help of the internet. Students can access their lessons in the morning or in the middle of the night, from the comfort of their home, at a coffee shop two blocks down, at their job, in a foreign country, while flying in their plane, or even while sunbathing on a yacht. All they need is reliable internet.
2. Flexibility
Online education formats provide more flexibility to students so they are best for students who have busy schedules, who have unique sleeping times, and who travel often.
In-person schools require students to attend class at a specific time. They also require students to learn at a specific rate set by the teacher. For these reasons, attending a traditional school can be difficult for those who do not have an open schedule or for those who need to learn at specific speed.
Open online learning formats provide students the opportunity to attend class whenever and wherever they desire. If Monday is too hectic or if they are facing a problem on that day, they can attend Wednesday. With this format, students have more control. They adapt their online education to their schedule and needs. Consequently, this increases their focus on a subject and their inner-peace while decreasing their stress and stress-related activities like daydreaming, mental brainstorming, agitation, and anger.
3. Manageability
Online learning formats are best for students who enjoy having more control over their lessons.
In-person formats are live classes. Unless a student uses a tape-recorder for every class, she is limited on the number of ways she can collect information. She will be unable to write everything her teacher and classmates say. She also will be unable to pause and ponder on a sentence. Much information and nuances can be missed with in-person formats.
Online formats are easier to follow for every student. If a student wants to verify what they heard or if she wants to repeat something she doesn’t understand, she can scroll up or click the rewind button. If a student wants to read slower or read faster, she can easily do so. If a student wants to pause for a second to ponder on what is being taught, she can. If a student wants to translate a word or find a definition without losing a second of her teacher’s speech, all she has to do is stop reading or click pause. With online formats, clarity is literally at the student’s fingertips.
4. Information Sharing
Written online learning formats are best for those who enjoy learning and reading.
In traditional classrooms, teachers are forced to share information, stories, experiences, tips and tricks in a limited set of time. Online formats, in contrast, specifically written ones, provide educators more freedom to share information, with much less time constraints or interruption. Written online formats also allow educators modify and update their lessons easily and consistently. So students studying under this format tend to get the most up-to-date and detailed information.
5. Computer Skills
Online learning formats are perfect for students who want to improve basic and/or intermediate computer skills.
In 2023, National Skills Coalition (NSC) in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta found that 92% of jobs in the United States required digital skills. However, 1/3 workers have low or no digital skills.
Virtual activities are increasing. So every year more and more professionals are required to have intermediate to advanced level proficiency in computer software. Years ago, hospitals allowed medical physicians to write patient information on paper. Today, many hospitals around the US require doctors to enter patient information online. Overall the transition worked, but it also created problems for physicians who had mediocre computer skills, and more problems for those who were not interested in improving those skills.
This is just one example of the importance of developing basic computer skills (ie. typing, email communications, online research, online purchasing and reservation) as well as more advanced computer skills (ie. ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
Computer skills help professionals improve their accuracy; save time; stay connected and informed; increase work productivity; research and organize information more efficiently; and streamline work processes.
Online schools require students to weekly navigate their online program. This includes finding information, moving from one lesson page to the next, submitting assignments virtually, participating in online discussions, and watching online videos. Students are also often required to communicate through email; perform online research and analyses; and navigate various social media programs.
6. Self-management & Independence
Online learning formats are best for students who want more independence.
In traditional classrooms, students are completely dependent on the teacher who sets the time and location of the class. In most online formats, students are responsible for setting their own schedule and creating their own classroom. Students who venture down this path learn how to work independently, how to motivate themselves, how to maintain discipline and focus. They learn a myriad of characteristics that will help them succeed in their profession.
However, students who need teachers to lead and control them, who need to have constant in-person contact with classmates, who need teachers and fellow students to visually inspire and motivate them — these students will find it hard to succeed online. So, traditional in-person schools are best for them.
7. Movement
Online learning formats are best for students who need to move around for medical, psychological, or focus reasons.
In-person classrooms require students to sit in one space from 30 minutes to 2 hours. This can be especially difficult for those who suffer from circulation or attention deficit problems.
Open online learning formats provide students the opportunity to move around as they learn. If they need to stretch their legs for a minute, answer a text, eat a snack — they can. If they want to read or watch a lesson while standing or walking, they can. Best of all, the ability to move freely has been shown to increase focus and decrease stress.
8. Intensity
Online learning formats are best for students who enjoy intense classes and intensive lessons.
Distractions come in multiple forms. For example, in an in-person classroom set-up, a teacher may get distracted with her own thoughts and experiences. Instead of teaching the subjects she was supposed to teach, she may use too many minutes sharing her experiences and sparking an even longer debate. In an in-person set-up, fellow students can also waste everyone’s time by being rude, asking off-topic questions, or asking too many questions.
Contrastingly, in written online formats, every subject that needs to be taught is written beforehand, clearly and in great detail. If a teacher wants to share an experience or spark your intellect with a mind-opening thought, she can, without diminishing her lesson. Written online formats provide her the freedom to write her lesson out fully and then write her experience below her lesson or on another webpage. With this format, sharing becomes a contribution rather than a trade-off. This is how online learning formats decrease, and sometimes even eliminate, distractions from teachers or fellow students. This consequently, increases interest, focus, and engagement while decreasing disinterest, daydreaming, and boredom.
9. Engagement
Oftentimes, in traditional classrooms, insecure students have a hard time speaking in front of their classmates. Even when necessary, they do not ask questions and reluctantly answer questions. Even confident students reluctantly participate. This is often seen when a class has a couple of dominating students who like to answer every question and control the direction of a debate.
Online formats help to decrease the domination of a student and increase overall student interaction. The reality is people are more comfortable behind a screen, in the security and comfort of their home. This has created trolling problems but it also has allowed students to experience their class in a more fulfilling way. It allows them to participate in discussions, critiques, and other activities openly and peacefully. It also provides students the opportunity to surpass barriers and enhance their interactions with their fellow students and teachers.
With online learning formats, students are more able to control how much of themselves is seen — what is seen, how it is seen, who is seen, and where it is seen.
BALISSANDE FINISHING SCHOOL 