Is Online Instruction an Efficient Form of Education?

1241 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Technology impact on education

In the last twenty years, internet has become the driving force for the development of our society. It significantly changed our life in many ways, such as online education. In 2002, more than 1.6 million college students took online courses and unsurprisingly, this number almost tripled in 2008 (Allen and Seaman, 2010). Queen and Lewis found (2011), “74% of school districts with distance education programs planned to expand online offerings over the next 3 years.” However, although many students and instructors are using online education, the debate about the efficiency of online instruction comparing with that by traditional mode still going on as online education does not achieved universal acceptance. Thus, it is necessary to examine its effectiveness and to compare it with the traditional face-to-face way of teaching in order to find a best way for students to learn.

The most basic requirement of a successful online education is computers with high speed Internets. Larson and Sung (2009) suggested that traditional face-to-face was prevalent may mainly because that was the only option for students and teachers, as the high speed internet was not available in the past. On the other hand, as a result of better internet service availabilities, developed countries generally have much more online education provided and in contrast, many developing countries need to further develop it. Of course, students and teachers also must have essential skills to operate computer and to navigate web. As a result, certain people, such as seniors who do not know how to use computer and people with disabilities, are not suitable to get online courses.

Beyond basic technical requirement, students-and-instructor and students-and-students i...

... middle of paper ...

... 37-41.

Means, B., Toyama, Y., Murphy, R., Bakia, M., & Jones, K. (2010). Evaluation of evidence-based practices in online learning: A meta-analysis and review of online learning studies. U.S. Department of Education,

Perry, E. H., & Pilati, M. L. (2011, December 8). Online learning. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 2011(128), 95-104.

Janet Ferguson & Anne Marie Tryjankowski (2009): Online versus face‐to‐face learning: looking at modes of instruction in Master’s‐level courses, Journal of Further and Higher Education, 33:3, 219-228

Battaglino, T., Haldeman, M., and Laurans, E. (2011). The Costs of Online Learning. The Thomas Fordham Institute.

Queen, B., and Lewis, L. (2011). Distance Education Courses for Public Elementary and Secondary School Students: 2009-10 (NCES 2012-009). U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.ioyu

Show More
Related

  • Can You Be Educated From a Distance?

    664 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Comparison of Synchronous and Asynchronous Technologies: BlackBoard and Elluniate Live

    1424 Words  | 3 Pages

    McGreal R. & Elliott, M. (2004). Technologies of online learning (e-Learning). In T. Anderson. & F. Elloumi (Eds.), Theory and practice of online learning (pp. 115-135). Retrieved February 6, 2011 from http://cde.athabascau.ca/online_book/ch5.html

    Read More

  • 21st Century Classrooms - Annotated Bibliography

    1083 Words  | 3 Pages

    Caruso, C. (2008). Bringing Online Learning to Life. Educational Leadership, 65(8) 70. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

    Read More

  • Online Courses are Superior to Traditional Courses

    1561 Words  | 4 Pages

    In 1999, Mark Bonner of PricewaterhouseCoopers accurately predicted, “Online learning will rapidly become one of the most cost-effective ways to educate the world’s expanding workforce.” Fifteen years later, his statement is truer than ever, as the price of going to a four-year university skyrockets, and technology required to get the same degree online becomes more available. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, from 2000 to 2010, the average cost for undergraduate tuition, room, and board at public institutions increased over forty percent.

    Read More

  • Sociocultural Theory And Vygotsky's Theory Of Language Learning

    1000 Words  | 2 Pages

    Claim’s made for synchronous learning by researchers also say that "in the hands of professors who know what they are doing, online instruction is superior to face-to-face instruction" (Feenberg, 1999; Harasim, Hiltz, Teles, & Turoff, 1995). Beginning

    Read More

  • Use of Collaborative and Cooperative Learning

    2038 Words  | 5 Pages

    Luchoomun, D.; McLuckie, J.; van Wesel, M., 2010, Electronic Journal of e-Learning, v8 n1 p21-30, Retrieved from http://www.eric.ed.gov/EJ880096.pdf.

    Read More

  • The Relationship Between the Students’ Perception of Social Presence Online and Their Achievement

    2075 Words  | 5 Pages

    The period of examination on whether online learning is the way to go or not has expired. Regardless of what previous studies on online learning have found, online learning is here. The demand for it led educational organizations to adopt it. The revolution of technology facilitated implementing it. Its convenience, flexibility, and other advantages made it a favorable learning form. The existence of this learning should lead researchers to explore the factors that help in improving the quality of it rather than examining its validity.

    Read More

  • How Effective is Online Education?

    2438 Words  | 5 Pages

    Technology has had a large impact on the field of education. The proliferation of multimedia resources and limitless amounts of information available through the Internet has fundamentally affected the learning process. Students no longer search through cards and stacks for magazine articles; almost everything is at the click of a finger. Multimedia resources are increasingly utilized in the classroom to help instruct students. Some professors are making conscious efforts to use new technology, so as to introduce and familiarize their students with it. The significance of technology in education is now being elevated to a new plateau. Education through the Internet, the great equalizer, may make it more widely distributed through the phenomenon of online courses. It is the thesis of this paper that online courses are not an effective means to educate traditional undergraduate college aged students (people from 18-22 years old).

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Online And Traditional Learning

    1063 Words  | 3 Pages

    Today’s generation is like no other. The nation as a whole has completely evolved from past times, with technology being one of the greatest improvements. Traditionally, schooling takes place in a classroom setting, but, with the many modifications in our world’s system, we are able to assimilate more modern means of education, such as online learning. However, with many changes comes differences and requires adjustments. The online learning system has proven to be just as effective as traditional learning, with some minor differences, however, nothing of great significance. A few of those insignificant differences include online learning being convenient, especially for the non-traditional students,

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Online Education

    2194 Words  | 5 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Cost Effectiveness of Online Education

    1542 Words  | 4 Pages

    Many people think online education can be more expensive than a traditional school setting. Previous generations did not have the option for online learning experience, so why should we start now? An interesting point about online education is that LeBaron (2010) states, “The largest school in the U.S. is the University of Phoenix Online, with a whopping 380,232 students. That’s over 5x more than the largest public school, Arizona State University, which has 68,064 students” (para. 7). Despite the cost effectiveness, distance education is becoming the educational model of the future.

    Read More

  • The Pros and Cons of Distance Learning

    1280 Words  | 3 Pages

    In a K-12 setting, distance learning or traditional learning requires careful planning that must take place in order for the educational process to work for the students. When we look at both forms of education there are still pros and cons to both. Although online learning has made a major impact in the world of education, many people have not accepted this form of education. One of the reason for their concerns is that students cannot get fast answers to their questions about the assignment from the teacher. Another concern is that the students cannot perform effectively in a group collaboration that is taking place online. Also, students may not effectively do their homework from an online program. Lastly, some families do not have the technology at home for online learning.

    Read More

  • Online Education as an Effective Educational Method

    1425 Words  | 3 Pages

    Over the years it has been seen that education has taken up several forms. With the advent of technology, education has also been integrated with technology. Previously it was seen that education was achieved through written forms of paper with pen or pencil. The use of pen and pencil can be dated back to the Roman Empire. However, with the developing pace the traditional means of attaining education are changing. The introduction of information technology has brought forth a new way of learning through the internet. E-learning is the new form of education introduced by IT which helps people to attain knowledge through the use of their computers. A portal is introduced by the use of information technology which the students are able to access and to take tests. However, this new technology also brings with it other ethical issues of plagiarism and social contact. Online education is an inadequate alternative for traditional, classroom-based teaching for several reasons: there is no interactive communication between the student and the instructor, potential employers do not value online course work, class offerings are limited, instructor feedback to the student might be delayed for days, and group projects are nonexistent.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Online Education

    1030 Words  | 3 Pages

    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). Online education is cost-effective, efficient, and easily accessible (Schmeeckle, 2003). Online classes are used for individual and independent learning in which the student can learn at their own pace (Gonzalez, 2009). Not only is online education beneficial for breaking down barriers, online education has the potential to help students learn material more efficiently. Students are more likely to seek help from their instructors when the material is taught online (Whipp & Lorentz, 2009). Computer use in statistical classes could help decrease math anxiety (Gundy, Morton, Liu, & Kline, 2006). In a study that measured online students’ ability to achieve the same efficiency of course material as face-to-face students, at least 98% of students reported that they had, so one may be lead to believe that online learning is just as efficient as face-to-face courses (Liebowitz, 2003). With all of the positive aspects of online education, one may wonder why there is any debate as to whether or not online education is beneficial for

    Read More

  • The Internet and Education

    2700 Words  | 6 Pages

    The Internet represents a network of computers that is globally connected transmitting information between locations with input from users. Since the advent of the Internet many innovations are and responsible for many innovations such as; social networking, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), eCommerce, access to news websites, social networking, and eLearning. Computer researchers predicted the Internet would become a dynamic catalyst for information transmissions around the globe. It has eliminated time constraints, and geographic distances. Today students are enrolled in colleges, vocational, primary and secondary schools from various geographic locations. A student who lives in India who is accepted at to? Oxford University can complete Internet coursework and graduate from a college thousands of miles away. The Internet has created learning without walls, and it is rapidly evolving, introducing applications that will enhance the educational experience. This sector has proven?there is competition among educational institutions. E-Learning provides an educational experience unlike the traditional classroom. This paper will focus on cybereducation for children.

    Read More

More about Is Online Instruction an Efficient Form of Education?

Open Document