Midterm Exam Compare and Contrast
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Old Dominion University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
101
Subject
English
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
4
Uploaded by DukeFlag1887
Student Last Name 1
Student Name
Professor’s name
English 101
16 October 2020
Midterm Exam: Compare and Contrast
Due to the global Coronavirus Pandemic, online learning popularity has increased
dramatically (Li and Lalani). Institutions and students alike had to learn to adjust to and navigate
eLearning platforms. Suddenly, many students who had never been a solely online student, or
many schools that had never taught one hundred percent online are now adjusting. Although
there are advantages to online learning, there are also disadvantages which may limit some
students’ academic and social opportunities. In a traditional classroom setting, students have
immediate access to their classmates to share knowledge, can create and maintain bonds easier,
and can actively participate in the teaching and learning process. In contrast, in some online
classes, students are either learning independently or finding it challenging to connect with their
colleagues. Though online and traditional schooling ultimately leads to the same outcome, the
journey differs significantly.
E-Learning is currently a driving force in the academic community and has proven
its significance to our current society's educational system. E-Learning has given students the
independence to progress through their classes and customizes their learning environment.
Despite these advantages, many students find online schooling difficult, both in their academic
pursuits and social life. In an online learning setting, classes are either synchronous or
asynchronous. In a synchronous online course, students have a set meeting time similar to the
Student Last Name 2
traditional classroom. Despite this specified time, many students do not have immediate access
to their classmates to share knowledge and collaborate. In the same manner, once the instructor
ends the class meeting, the students are again in their own space and are left to decipher class
notes and assignments independently.
Given that there is little to no interaction between students in an eLearning
environment, and people are a bit more apprehensive about connecting with or sharing their
personal information with strangers, this can affect students' likelihood to cultivate and/or
maintain meaningful relationships. In addition, students will not have the shared experiences
with their classmates, such as being a part of school clubs and societies, that help create
socialization with their peers. Also, many students learn better when they can actively participate
in the instructional process. In some instances, students still have this opportunity in an online
class. Unfortunately, in an asynchronous course, this is nonexistent because there are no face-to-
face meetings. These courses are self-taught classes where students simply follow prompts and
prerecorded lectures.
The traditional learning environment has been around for decades and is unlikely
to be entirely replaced by online learning. Students have grown accustomed to the benefits of
attending school on-campus. In contrast to online learning, students have immediate access to
their professors and colleagues alike to discuss the lesson as it is happening, share ideas in real-
time, and have group gatherings for studying or social purposes. Also, on-campus students have
easier access to the school’s resources. Students who are in a traditional learning environment get
a better experience of the institution’s culture. They can also have a more meaningful
involvement in extracurricular activities, which may ultimately aid in their academic
advancement.
Student Last Name 3
Attending on-campus school helps some students develop and preserve interpersonal
relationships through social events, meeting people in class, randomly meeting people on
campus, and becoming members of different university social groups. People are often
compelled to create relationships with individuals that they know to some extent. Comparable
students in a traditional classroom setting, online students may never physically meet or form
relationships with their classmates. The traditional learning environment enables students to play
a more active role in the instructional delivery, as opposed to eLearning, where materials are
regularly only presented to students, and students may not even need to attend live sessions.
To conclude, online and in-person learning both have advantages and limitations.
Ultimately, in-person learning gives students much more varied opportunities to excel both
academically and on a social basis. Given the many different resources students have direct
access to, it is likely to aid in their academic advancement. The traditional learning environment
also allows students to form lasting bonds with their peers easily, safely, and comfortably.
Works Cited
Abramson, Ashley. “Enhancing Online Learning.”
Https://Www.Apa.Org
, 1 June 2020,
www.apa.org/monitor/2020/06/covid-online-learning. Accessed 16 Oct. 2020.
Forbes. “Will Online Education Replace Classroom Education Anytime Soon?”
Forbes
, 18 May
2018, www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2018/05/08/will-online-education-replace-classroom-
education-anytime-soon/#4872b70a690c. Accessed 16 Oct. 2020.
Li, Cathy, and Farah Lalani. “The COVID-19 Pandemic Has Changed Education Forever. This Is
How.”
World Economic Forum
, 29 Apr. 2020,
www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/coronavirus-education-global-covid19-online-digital-
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
Student Last Name 4
learning/. Accessed 16 Oct. 2020.
University of the Potomac. “Top 6 Advantages of Traditional Education.”
University of the
Potomac
, 23 Mar. 2020, potomac.edu/top-advantages-of-traditional-education/. Accessed
16 Oct. 2020.