Universities and colleges are now offering qualifications through distance learning from the Internet rather than teachers in the classroom.

Do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Opinion 1

Some people contend that offering university students online classes provides more advantages than disadvantages over traditional classroom learning. Although I understand the advantages of online learning, I maintain that traditional classroom learning should still be preferred.

On the side of online learning, we should remember that not all people live near colleges or universities that offer degrees or certifications in the desired field of study. With this in mind online learning can eliminate geographical limitations in education. Also, it should be pointed out that some of the people who are looking to earn degrees are people who are already working full time. These people might not have a schedule which is flexible enough to allow for traditional classroom learning. Online learning often allows for much more flexibility and sometimes a student can view a lesson online, whenever they have time for it.

Those things being said, traditional classroom learning has many advantages. Classroom learning offers interaction that is most likely absent in online classes. If a student attending a lecture in a classroom has a question, he can generally ask his professor or his fellow classmates, and he can get answers to his questions immediately. Unlike online learning classroom teaching also allows for lively group discussions or group projects.

In my opinion, classroom teaching remains the preferred method of learning over online learning. Meanwhile, online learning is a viable and valuable option for those students who cannot participate in classroom learning because of geographical reasons or because their schedules do not allow for classroom learning.

Opinion 2

More and more professionals have earned their diplomats through online courses in the past several years. This essay will argue why the advantages are more than the disadvantages.The freedom of time to study at one’s own pace is one of the main benefits, whereas how
face-to-face interaction has declined is its primary negative effect.

One of the chief advantages is the opportunity to provide everyone access to education through the internet which allows flexibility of time. also, individuals can study at their own speed, and at the same time can work to support oneself financially. With the help of internet sessions, the students can choose schedules that will not be of any conflict to their course,leaving out the stress of quitting their jobs for going to an actual classroom and following a regular schedule.

The main disadvantage, associate with the growth of internet classes, is the frequent usage of technology in education which results in the decrease in face-to-face interaction between students and teachers. People, sadly, consume much of their time in front of their computer screens, less time for interacting with each other. This result in soft skills, such as verbal communication and empathy, being affected, as there are no opportunities for students to attend group activities in reality.

In sum, distant learning provides flexibility and an opportunity to save time and resources in earning professional qualifications. This can outweigh the drawbacks of diminishing personal communication even though it is natural instinct for people to always want human contact,especially in education.