The efficiency of online learning versus face-to-face instruction is a growing controversial topic. In his article, “Can You Be Educated from a distance?”, James Barszcz weighs the benefits and disadvantages of online education. In his essay, he discusses the fundamentals and overall quality of distance education, as well as the rationale behind the growing trend. He argues that observation of teachers and social aspects of traditional learning are important for true education, rather than simply obtaining information. Barszcz uses thorough juxtaposition between distance and traditional classrooms unbiasedly so the differences between the two types of education are easily seen, while constant use of studies and surveys add justification to his argument. In “Can You Be Educated from a Distance?” by James Barszcz, the author attempts to pinpoint the negative aspects of distance education compared to traditional classrooms. At the beginning of the article, he first describes the basic format of online courses, which results in a vast minimization of face-to-face communication of students with instructors. He then touches on some of the beneficial qualities of online education, and the reasoning for its quickly growing popularity among students and schools alike. He mainly attributes this trend to the overall convenience that is promised to students by online courses. These courses allow students to learn material in the comfort of their own home. Barszcz also considers the financial appeal for universities. Having an increasing number of students enrolled solely in online classes allows schools to save money on electricity, as well as decrease the amount of staff they employ. Also mentioned is that many strong advocates of distance... ... middle of paper ... ...s that you develop a way of regarding the information that you receive to the society that you are living in. He also believes that a quality education develops a students moral views and ability to think. And that these qualities are best developed in the traditional classroom setting by interaction between the student and their professors, and the student’s social life on campus, that is, their interaction with fellow students. In his article, “Can You Be Education from a Distance?”, James Barszcz effectively weighs the pros and cons of online education compared to the traditional method, while effectively supporting his position with factual information and statistics. While distance education proves to be convenient for students, Barszcz asserts that it eliminates valuable experiences necessary in order to get the most out of the material being learned.
The way he emphasizes the difference between acquisition and learning, brings a whole new level to education. Using this knowledge, we can develop an education system that will help our youth stay on track and understand what they’re learning and why they’re learning it. This could be particularly helpful with elementary education, when the children are still developing what it means to learn. By redefining the education system, we’ll be able to help our children reach their real potential. If we understand how to teach, it will be a million times easier to connect with the children. We can help our next generation become properly educated about the world that they’re
Argues that we must do more to ensure that computers are fully integrated into all our schools. Suggestion that there is no limit to the possibilities of computers; Topic of distance learning; Ways that the Internet can make schools more effective; Call for schools to develop innovative budgeting to acquire the funds for te...
“The moral quality of education is inevitably affected by the moral character of educational institutions.
The purpose of my paper is to discuss distance education: What is it? What is its effect on education and the world? How will educators be affected? What are the pros and cons surrounding its use?
There have been many critics that strongly advocate against the use of distance learning in elementary schools. With the increased availability and choice of new technology, comes many new concerns about the quality of instruction and the threat it may pose to the already established methods of teaching. Many believe that this new teaching method may replace the existing classroom all together, and won’t give students the adequate face-to-face contact they need. Most critics fear that “ineffective face-to-face teaching methods could be made even worse when they become technology based” (Truell, 2001, p46). The computer and internet have become dominant distance learning technologies, and hold the potential to take away from the human aspect of learning, so students do not learn the proper social skills they need to develop early on. Children need to learn to interact with one another, and function properly in a social setting, they learn this primarily within the classroom, and if these classroom settings are altered by distance learning, then they will no learn how to function in the normal social school setting. Many critics also say that all schools do not have the appropriate technological support and infrastructure to make distance learning programs effective for students. Since all schools do not have the tools and financial means needed to establish and support effective distance learning programs, they would not be able to keep up with the advancing technology in education, and therefore their students would not receive the same advantages as other students in the schools around them (Ravaglia & Sommer, 2000). Greenwood (1998) states that schools using distance learning are just contracting out their educational responsibilities and that such courses result in the elimination of teaching jobs. He feels that by using distance learning to teach students, they are minimizing the teacher’s job of actually teaching the students and designing lesson plans, and therefore slowly eliminating the need for teachers in the classroom at all. It is thought that there is more emphasis being placed on teaching than learning, and as a consequence schools are using distance education as merely a means to extend the classroom walls . While the critics of distance learning feel that this is just a way for schools to educate students, and relieve themselves of their responsibilities, there has been even more substantial evidence that these programs improve the elementary curriculum, rather than replace it altogether.
At a cursory glance, distance education appears to be working. With few exceptions, most of the research writings suggest that the learning outcomes of students using technology at a distance are similar to those of students who participate in conventional classroom instruction. The "no significant difference" finding has become accepted as fact. But th...
Online education is a booming trend in the education world. It is something different than the traditional classroom. It is allowing student around the world the opportunity to get an education. Online education allows student to have a more proficient and cheaper way of learning. Having multiple ways to give a student an education allows all learning types to find their own way of learning. Education changes lives but it can be difficult for students to get to a classroom to sit through an hour class 4 times a week, this can be for many different reasons. There are many doubts about online education, but this a new world without borders it is a new opportunity for people from all over the world to get an education.
Higher education, a pilot school education is now the main body of modern Distance Education, carried out from college, undergraduate to graduate students at different levels of education. Adult and vocational educations are to the form of distance education to carry out a certain advantage, because the time of modern distance education is the characteristics of flexibility for non-full-time adult students. However, efforts in th...
I explained the flexibility that distance education gives to us as students are important to meeting educational needs of non-traditional students. When comparing both distance learning and traditional learning they both can be beneficial it just depends on the student’s preference. Does the student prefer distance learning and have the convenience of studying from anywhere or go set in a classroom all day? Distance learning and traditional learning both have their benefits for the student it just depends on whatever the individual is looking for. I also pointed out those getting a degree online have the same level of fulfillments traditional students have when they graduate. Finally, distance learning classes are carefully planned with the college they represent and meet the same courses as traditional classes. This concludes my essay on comparison of distance learning and the traditional
Distance learning makes it possible to learn without attending in classrooms. In this way individuals have opportunity to learn without considering boundaries include geography, time and ...
education is life itself." This philosophy truly emphasizes the importance of education in one's life, and that they are indeed interrelated, not separated. I believe he was expressing, in part, the notion that education should serve us throughout our lives, constantly empowering us to achieve our greatest potential through self-realization. Learning, is a life-long process, by which we are all constantly searching for meaning through reflecting on our experiences to make sense of, and better understand the world in which we live in. I am humble enough to say that I too remain a student, not just in the literal sense, but in life. As teachers, I believe it is our responsibility to provide an educational experience that motivates our students to discover their own hidden potentials and to hopefully achieve self-realization. This is especially important for young children, for it is with the combination of their innate learning ability and the influence of great educators that can account for their marvelous capacity of potential.
Phipps, R., & Merisotis, J. (1999). Executive summary. What's the difference?: A review of contemporary research on the effectiveness of distance learning in higher education (pp.1-8). Retrieved from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED429524.pdf
This section of the paper will discuss the advantages of distance education. One of the biggest advantages to completing a distance education course is the flexibility that it offers. 71% of students believe that virtual learning provides increased flexibility to take classes (CDW-G, 2011). With distance education, students can complete their education anywhere that has a computer and internet connection. This is especially important for learners that live in rural areas that may not have a university close-by. Another advantage to distance education is the convenience that it offers. Distance education allows the learner to participate in learning activities when the learner chooses. This is especially vital for learners that work a full time job or have a family. In addition to the flexibility and convenience that distance education offers, it is can also be cost-effective, depending on the university and the course taken. For example, at Georgia Perimeter College distance learners pay about 70 percent of what traditional students pay in tuition and fees per credit hour if they qualify for in-state tuition (Thompson, 2014). Online courses that allow the individual to complete their coursework from home help also cut down on various costs, such as commuting or hiring a babysitter. Distance education can also help to decrease the costs
In recent years, there has been a trend in the way that many major institutions of higher learning have been teaching their students. This change of pace in the education world is what is known as distance learning. Distance learning is the form of schooling that can be done over the Internet, and never actually being forced to be present in a classroom or even on the campus. According to Joel Snell, correspondence courses were the predecessors to what we now know as distance learning (258). Many people say that distance education is the future of our nations’ education, however there are many arguments against the wide spread establishment of distance learning programs. Although distance learning may seem like a bright future for education, nevertheless, it will never be as successful as campus learning, because every student must be self-driven and also highly motivated, the lack of access to libraries and other sources of information, and also face-to-face interaction is necessary for a good education. Many people think that distance learning is a perfect fit for men and women working on their master’s while still maintaining a job.
Some students within society need to have online learning to complete college degrees due to their lifestyles. While it is good to have online learning as an option if one chooses, it should not be the only option available to some students. Some may argue that online education is not creating discrimination within the educational environment. Furthermore, some may suggest that online learning is benefiting our students in society. There has been a breakthrough in time and geographical limitations of education via online courses (Ho, 2009).