Traditional Learning vs Online Learning: What Are the Differences?

If you are unable to decide whether to attend regular classes as traditional learning program or to opt for online learning, the modern learning program, then first of all you should have brief information about these two learning programs and then compare them to find differences between online and traditional education.

What Is Traditional Learning?

Traditional learning or conventional style of education is considered as the education in the traditional schools established by the society. Some of these might have adopted the progressive practices of education to promote the standard of education still most of them use holistic approach while focusing on the self-control and the needs of every student. According to reformers of traditional learning systems, the teacher based traditional system focuses on memorization and learning by writing. But, if you see it from the point of view of students, it should be abandoned as it over burdens them.

What Is Online Learning?

Online learning is a learning system that allows you to learn a course even without attending a classroom to meet the teacher. You can learn any course at international level through online learning tools. You can learn your course whenever you like, at your workplace or at home within a predetermined frame of time. These courses are delivered online as per a set real-time schedule. You will have to use video conferencing software like ezTalks Cloud Meeting etc., if you are active on the scheduled time of the course as you can neither start it late nor finish it before time.

Traditional Learning vs Online Learning: What Are the Differences?

In order to know differences between online and traditional education you will have to study their pros and cons.

Pros of Online Learning

1. Time and Money Saving:

Online learning saves the money and time you will have to spend for commuting to the traditional classroom. Moreover some of the online courses that seem to be expensive are still cheaper in price than available in certain colleges. In addition to it study material for online courses is also available online. So you need not spend on purchasing study materials. It also helps you in interacting with your teachers face-to-face to solve your problems.

2. Flexibility and Convenience:

You can join an online learning program even if you have to take care of a family or a full time job also. You can learn your online course as and when you feel free either at home or at your workplace. Most of the online courses require 10-20 hour study per week depending upon your passion and mental power. The route to a CPA career, for example, would be less arduous if you were able to get an accounting degree online and take the CPA exam from the comfort of your home.

3. Focus on Job Related or Marketable Skills:

The focus of most of the online learning programs remains on certain particular skills that can help you in getting a good job. You will learn what you will need in your job instead of learning analytical or critical skills. For instance, you can join online learning program to learn some language like JavaScript to be used in programming on your job instead of development of software. Additionally, online learning platforms offer specialized courses that cater directly to job-related skills or personal development areas. For instance, mastering a new language such as French can significantly enhance your employability in global markets. Learning French online provides the convenience of tailoring your study schedule around existing commitments, whether that's work, family, or both. With courses designed for easy online access, individuals can efficiently work towards fluency in French at their own pace, sometimes with the added support of live French tutors, making it an excellent option for those looking to add valuable multilingual skills to their repertoire.

4. Keep up with Time:

In today's digital age you should learn digital skill so that you can run with time. Several new programming languages have been introduced by many companies in the recent past like Swift by Apple which along with Objective-C can be important for developing iOS devices. You can also learn to understand SEO or content marketing that can help you in becoming a good SEO professional.

Cons of Online Learning

Pros of traditional learning are the cons of online learning like:

Online learning cannot provide you the experiences of college life

Online learning can provide you limited options for career

It will neither provide you the typical experience of the professional colleges nor can you be a professional like lawyer or doctor through online learning.

Most of the self-motivated people can be empowered by online learning but they usually remain alone in comparison with students of traditional learning.

Pros of Traditional Learning

1. Experience of Life:

By attending a traditional learning institute one can get various types of experiences like living in dormitories, communal activities, eating in dining halls, sports activities, clubs and parties etc.

2. Develop A Network:

Your constant physical presence can provide you a good job. Moreover you can meet a number of people like fellow students, teachers and even old students in your day-to-day life so that you can develop your own network which can help you in developing your personality and knowledge. Want to become a data scientist and need to boost your math skills? Find a math tutor near you and you'll probably bump on other current or future data scientists along the way that can help your career.

3. Your Degree Will Provide Your Recognition:

Though you may not get a job on the basis of your bachelor degree but you will certainly be recognized for the validity of your education. The paper of your degree will provide you enough credit for the four years you have spent to get it, even if you have passed it with marginal grade.

4. Get Facilities Required for Certain Activities or Courses:

If you are studying some special course then the equipment and other facilities required for it will be provided by your traditional learning institute instead of anywhere else.

5. Degree for Certain Career Opportunities:

For certain career opportunities you may need higher degrees like Ph.D. or Master's degree, which you can get only after getting your bachelor degree from a traditional learning center.

Cons of Traditional Learning

1. Expensive:

Education at traditional learning centers is usually much expensive as the institutes have to face various types of permanent expenses which increase the cost of courses.

2. No Safety from Underemployment:

According to various studies rate of underemployment of the students learning at traditional learning centers is increasing every year. Certain jobs even do not require the candidates with bachelor's degree. Such jobs are also increasing underemployment. So, traditional learning do not guarantee employment.

3. You May Not Get Required Skills:

Usually people get general skills of critical thinking while building the foundation of their life in traditional schools but these skills may not be required in today’s work environment especially when you apply for technical jobs. Picture source from pnglot, netclipart, clipartwiki.

Conclusion

Thus, after going through the differences between online and traditional education you can easily decide which way to go for the betterment of your career.