Traditional learning has proven to be more effective
Despite a lot of information insisting on the trend of online learning, there are aspects of classroom learning that can never be substituted. Classroom or traditional education is a method of learning that depends mainly on the teacher’s interaction with students in a class set up, and it is the most common mode of learning. I believe that traditional education is more effective than distance learning since it has not been replaced but rather complemented by online studies. As more people get access to online learning technology, many have come to prefer online education because they think it is more suitable for flexibility, cost, and pace of the learners. However, traditional learning has proven to be more effective due to various reasons, such as student-tutor interactions, concrete learning platforms, and practical lessons.
First and foremost, traditional learning allows tutors to interact with their students during their numerous classes; thus it is beneficial to both of them. Besides, tutors have to understand learners’ needs and establish a relationship with them to pass on knowledge to them. In contrast, learners gain organization, critical, and time management skills in the learning process.1 Research has shown that due to more interactions between students and tutors, it is relatively easy for lecturers to identify learning disabilities hence adjust lesson plans and vary the learning styles to accommodate these needs. Also, according to Deslauriers, Schelew, and Wieman,2 the focus on active learning strategies instead of more lectures has resulted in the best learning outcomes, even for a more significant number of students. Classroom set up is a mirror of home and work life because of the workloads, deadlines, and group work.
Secondly, traditional learning does not face technical and ethical issues but instead offers concrete and immediate solutions to student questions and concerns. For instance, an online student can face internet disconnection, errors, and slow speeds that disrupt learning. In the lecture rooms, technical issues are sorted out sooner by the use of improvisation and creativity. According to Dellana3, students must be proficient in computer and internet skills, but classroom learning is available to most people who can write in a book. E-learning has to invest in a secure platform to ensure the integrity of data changes and secrecy of information. At the same time, the learning platform may not be able to determine the identity of the person taking the course hence creating credibility issues. In contrast, in the lecture room, the student must appear physically, mark the register, and participate in the course work.
Thirdly, traditional learning allows students to develop their personalities and practical skills through the use of class discussions.4 For example, students interact with their fellow students within school and classrooms, and they become more social due to the discussion and practical examples or tests. For traditional learning, tutors can quickly know their students in person, and there are many instances where students have been guided to specific careers according to their strengths. Lecturers mostly identify ideas within a class, take up the initiative of motivating and mentoring the students with the intention to become the next career people. In the long run, students avoid the midlife crisis of having chosen the wrong field of work.
All in all, I think traditional learning is beneficial because it enhances teacher and student interactions, technical or ethical issues rarely face it. Traditional education develops personalities with practical skills. Lecture rooms are places of interactions similar to a workplace setup, and the practical skills gained are highly influenced by these interactions. Also, ethical issues such as taking exams within the eLearning have been solved by traditional learning. However, online learning has improved and fixed most of its issues through emerging technologies. Therefore, traditional education should be the primary mode of operation in learning institutions with online learning being a secondary option.5