Sample essay on online class v. traditional schooling

With the development of technology in almost all sectors of life, almost everything is changing. The last few days have seen the job market become increasingly competitive. Companies and organizations are cutting back on labor so as to ensure their businesses are sustainable. Because of this move, education has emerged to be very important for an employee who wants to acquire a better ground over their peers. The raised threshold of the level of education required to secure a good job has made it necessary for people to obtain higher education. A many people are returning to school to get education, many more have preferred to engage in online studies so as to obtain the relevant education. It is debatable the option which is better. This makes it necessary to analyze how the two compare and contrast.

Comparison

Although online classes are different from traditional schooling, the two systems have a lot of similarities. The first comparison between the two is as regards to supervision and teacher influence. In both, instructions from the teachers are crucial. The thing that may differ is the contact the teacher may have with is students (Banathy, 288). Lecturers and teachers get the opportunity to direct the students on what should be learned and the topics that should be covered within a given period. Because of this, students get to achieve uniformity within themselves. This similarity has existed throughout the ages and recognizes the teacher as a very special tool from which education is disseminated to students.
Both traditional schooling and online class have a similar curriculum. In most cases, both students sit for a similar paper to determine their performance over the stipulated time. Online classes are necessary for people who are always busy to the extent that they find it difficult to attend classes (Shrivastava, 698). This may be because they work part time or they have other commitments to attend. The traditional schooling, on the other hand, is best for people have a lot of free time. This comparison means that whether online classes or traditional schooling, the content achieved is similar.

Contrasting the two systems of learning/ the differences

Online classes and traditional schooling have several differences. The first difference is as regards to attendance. Traditional schooling entails students reporting to the specified institution and physically participating in the learning process. Because of this, teachers have more direct control as compared to the online classes Failure to attend the classes may lead to a punishment (Penney et al. 423). In most cases, the teacher acts as the primary source of information. This is not so with the online classes. Whereas the teacher might have control of the students, they do not dictate them on what to do in case it is the online system of class. The teacher’s role is to give instructions and directions upon which the students base their studies. As such, teachers have more control of the students in traditional schooling as compared to the online classes.
There is also a difference on the materials that are used by the students in the two systems of learning. Traditional schooling mostly depends on physical textbooks for the purpose of getting information. This is in great contrast to online classes where information can be acquired through various points such as online discussions and electronic notes (Lornsen et al. 197). These sources have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on the perspective from which one may decide to approach the issue. Nevertheless, it is a difference between the two systems of learning.
The third difference between the two systems is as regards to the levels of interaction between students and teachers. Traditional schooling entails students attending schools where they interact with the lecturers on a day to day basis. The inter-student interaction is also enhanced as students get to see each other daily (Lornsen et al. 198). This is not the case with online classes. In online classes, teachers can only give instructions, the execution of which depends on the will of the student. This means that there is a limited interaction between students and teachers. The teachers, therefore, do not play a big role in influencing the students.

Analysis

As shown above, the two systems of learning have similarities and differences. It is important that one carefully analyzes all conditions before deciding on the system that they want to be involved in. It remains to be witnessed whether the two can be combined to bring about a better system.

Conclusion

The education system has constantly evolved to cater for the emerging trends in technology. Importantly, such a change has brought about several positive outcomes. Although there are advantages and disadvantages, either system is effective in delivering education. The learners just need to be serious about their studies and understand what to do.

Works Cited

Banathy, Bela H. ” We Enter The Twenty-first Century With Schooling Designed In The Nineteenth.” Systems Research and Behavioral Science: 287-90. Print.
Botsch, Carol S., and Robert E. Botsch. ” Audiences and Outcomes in Online and Traditional American Government Classes: A Comparative Two-Year Case Study.” Political Science & Politics: 135. Print.
Indicated, No Authorship. ” Literate Systems and Individual Lives: Perspectives on Literacy and Schooling.” PsycCRITIQUES. Print.
Lornsen, Thomas. ” Online Assignments: Free Web 2. 0 Tools in German Language Classes.” Die Unterrichtspraxis/Teaching German: 194-204. Print.
Penney, Dawn, Ross Brooker, Peter Hay, and Lorna Gillespie. ” Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment: Three Message Systems of Schooling and Dimensions of Quality Physical Education.” Sport, Education and Society: 421-42. Print.
Shrivastava, P. ” Management Classes as Online Learning Communities.” Journal of Management Education: 691-702. Print.