Face to face vs Online classes : Which format is better and why?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, almost all of us have been strong-armed to learn online. Nearly all schools, colleges, and universities have switched to online learning. This switch in format was necessary because face-to-face class couldn't be possible with the remarkable rate of deaths all over the world. At the same time, due to the uncertainty of the end of this virus, learning could not be stopped. Now, most students have still taken the traditional face to face classes because that is what we have been used to growing up. However, It has been quite some time now that all students have been taking online courses due to COVID- 19, which raises the question: Is online education worth the money we give in tuition? And how does this type of education compare to the traditional face to face learning?
To answer these questions, I have listed three aspects that play a massive role in the field of education and how it relates to online learning.
To answer these questions, I have listed three aspects that play a massive role in the field of education and how it relates to online learning.
3 reasons why face to face classes are better than online classes :
1. Student Engagement -
Poor student engagement among students in online classes is a difficult factor to overcome. In face to face classes, lectures, and discussions are held within the classroom, and the instructor in the classroom can clear most questions. The instructor can keep the students engaged by asking discussion questions in the classroom with everyone present. However, when it comes to online classes, the learning happens through online lectures and discussions where students can log into their computers and answer discussion prompts related to their course before the due date giving them ample time to complete it. This learning style prohibits engagement among students, as they are not able to focus because there are so many messages that they get overwhelmed.
To understand more about student engagement, I did a survey and opened it up to all students of the university I study at, Santa Clara University. The results on student engagement showcased to me that out of the 35 students who responded to my survey, 27 students (77.8%) felt that online classes were not as engaging as face to face classes, five students (16.7%) felt that online classes were more engaging than face to face classes and two students (5.6%) felt the same level of engagement in both types of classes.
This shows us that most people are unhappy with the online class format. It even proves that most people think that student engagement is quite low in the online class format.
The results of his data revealed that there were 465 student discussions board postings, and the mean number of weeks that students made postings were 6.7±3.1, indicating that about a third of the students did not contribute to the discussion topics in any particular week. This shows and reflects how their lack of engagement prohibited the students from engaging in-class activities, and as a result, learning outcomes were significantly affected.
Bill Gates on in-person vs. online education
2. Academic Integrity -
When it comes to face-to-face classes, the academic integrity of the course is more or less intact in the sense that students' cheating is not excessively common. This is because tests or examinations conducted are always proctored in such a way that prohibits students from cheating. Therefore we can say that students have to put in the effort to understand course materials in order to excel in the class.However, it is often difficult for professors to control the testing environment when it comes to online classes due to the geographical distance between students and professors.
To make my argument more vital, I did some more research on academic integrity and came across an article by Yehuda Peled and three of his colleagues that studies and discusses the widespread cheating in online classes. He surveyed students in many different academic areas and showed that 64% of 69 faculty members, and 57% out of 172 students, felt that cheating was easier in online exams. The belief that cheating is more susceptible in online exams is also indicated in the research of King, Guyette, and Piotrowski, where 73.6% of 121 undergraduate business students agreed that it was easier to cheat online.
Students also indicated that electronic testing was one of the several critical situational determinants related to the likelihood of cheating. Watson and Sottile surveyed undergraduate and graduate students across many academic fields. They found that students were significantly more likely to obtain answers from other students during an online test or quiz.
To cross check the evidence I found in this article, I asked respondents from my university -Santa Clara university- a question about cheating in online classes. The results from my survey showcased the following information. This pie chart provides direct evidence of student perceptions about cheating in online classes. As through this, we can see that 31 students (88.9%) out of the 35 students who responded felt that it is easier to cheat in online classes.
3. Technical Issues -
Many students don’t have high bandwidth or the strong internet connection that online courses require, and thus fail to catch up with their virtual classmates. Their weak computer systems make it hard to follow the Course Management System, and their learning experience becomes problematic.What is very important to note is the negative effect that these technical difficulties have on students.
To find out these negative effects, I did some research and found a study done by Traci Sitzmann and three of her associates. The results indicated that the presence of technical difficulties impaired learning, such that test scores were lower in modules where trainees or students encountered technical difficulties rather than in modules where they did not encounter technical difficulties.
To also be sure that students do, in reality, face technical issues in online classes, I asked respondents from my university -Santa Clara university- whether they face these issues. The results showed me that 56% of the respondents felt that they did have this problem. One of the surveyors even said, "It's harder to account for time differences and the different situations a student might be in. Not all students are in learning-conducive environments.
Very interesting and relevant topic. I agree that face-to-face instruction is better than online learning overall, but I think there are certainly benefits to both. I thought your inclusion of your own data was super helpful to prove your argument further. I think your 3 reasons are very true and definitely prove why face-to-face instruction is better than online learning.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way, face-to-face classes are much better. Right now we can't have face-to-face classes but I hope we can during the next quarter. I like how you made your own research, it gives a very personal feel to it.
ReplyDeleteThis information is very relevant right now! My friends and I have definitely been struggling with online learning over the past couple of months. Those 3 main issues are very true, but I think there's a lot of other factors that also put online learning at a disadvantage. For me, time management has been an issue. I find that it takes me much longer to complete assignments online. I'm much more distracted, and I also have other responsibilities like my part-time job and spending time with my family. I know that online learning works for some people, but in general, it's really not a substitution for face-to-face classes.
ReplyDeleteAs everyone said, your topic is very relevant. I've had my own struggles with online learning, but I don't think that's entirely because of the online format. I've been overloading and had 6 classes this quarter, plus timezone differences as well as poor choices in the actual classes I took, so it all made for a rather hectic quarter. Would it have been better if it were in person instead of online? Maybe, but honestly, I don't think that would have completely changed the issues I was having with certain instructors, so I can't say that it would definitely be better.
ReplyDeleteYour topic and argument clearly resonate with readers, Rishabh, and your survey data is very effective! Work on changing up your prose style, however, to make it less formal and more accessible for a blog post. --MB
ReplyDelete