Is online learning as effective as classroom learning?

Can online learning be as effective as classroom learning?

  • More effective

    Votes: 18 14.5%

  • As effective

    Votes: 42 33.9%

  • Less effective

    Votes: 64 51.6%
  • Total voters
    124
bwana said:
With many private primary and high schools electing to teach online during lockdown, how effective do you think online learning is compared with classroom based learning?

Do you think it can be as effective, or even more effective? Could you see yourself opting for online learning for your child on a permanent basis?
Click to expand...

[X] Other

That's the way you learn in the real world? e.g. learn.unity.com

However, this depends on the person as well and their ability. Some people just need to be in a room with other people to actually learn something if any at all.
 
Brian_G said:
How many parents are disciplined or knowledgeable enough to see it done right?

Less effective. But would be nice if it could work more.
Click to expand...
For working parents it's not a case of being disciplined. It's being in and out of doing work to constantly check on the kids to see if they're doing it properly.
Then fights if they're not because there is no direction with no online teaching. That's all we need...proper online teaching to take the load off of doing that ourselves.
 
Due to Covid my girls did most of their schooling online from home last year.
They both maintained and even increased their grades - very proud of both their reports.
 
Very much depends on the students.

My girlfriend teaches Grade 1s and it's been quite an experience. In terms of pure learning, it is far harder and more work to teach this way, but the kids to get it. That, however, is purely scholastic. There are a bunch of other things which have fallen by the way side.

Social skills and development are not progressing as they otherwise would. Understanding and adherence to routine, schedules, responsibility for bringing requisite books/material to school is not being learnt.

I would say it very much depends on the teacher too.
 
OCP said:
Due to Covid my girls did most of their schooling online from home last year.
They both maintained and even increased their grades - very proud of both their reports.
Click to expand...

I had the exact same experience my kids last year. I was unsure about it initially, but they all surprised me. But, what surprised me most was the effectiveness of online schooling.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OCP
My vote went to “as affective” based on my kids report cards. My eldest excelled while the youngest just maintained.
Their self discipline and routine has improved too. Maybe even their social skills as FaceTiming friends during break has gone from awkward to normal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OCP
School is not just about in-class/online learning.

I'm happy that my kid's schooling can proceed during lockdown. However, I can see the negative effect the lack of in-person socialization with classmates/friends is having on her.
 
Online learning, can be as effective, if used with the same discipline of class room teaching.

But yeah, sitting in front of the computer, with a game icon looking back at you ...
 
elf_lord_ZC5 said:
Online learning, can be as effective, if used with the same discipline of class room teaching.

But yeah, sitting in front of the computer, with a game icon looking back at you ...
Click to expand...
...which is why you have a laptop with Intel HD graphics. Can't play anything :)
 
I answered as effective because they CAN BE - but its a lot more work for the teachers and parents / guardians watching over the kids. This would be specifically from an academic point of view. What is missed is the social interaction and the ability to walk up to someone (teach or student) and interact which is a huge component of being at school
 
rvZA said:
No problem at all.

It was just my experience last year that my kids did much better in online schooling than what they did in actual school.
Click to expand...
I think some would.

There are many factors like age, motivation, home situation etc....

My kid is probably too young and needs the human interaction.

For some older kids they might spend a lot less time doing school work because online is so much quicker.
I can see it working a lot better for some.
 
I feel a distinction should be made between Live/Real-time online learning and just normal pre-recorded online learning.

I feel the former can be as good should the right tools be used.

The latter I personally can’t manage to stay motivated and if given a choice between that and in person I’ll happily go sit in a classroom.

Now my problem with the kids and online learning are the tools.

Microsoft Teams is a TERRIBLE, nah ATROCIOUS product for this application especially compared to what the likes of Apple and Google have out there with their education product likes.

It’s already an overly bloated application for business use, but in this context it’s really a square block in a round hole situation.
 
Unfortunately academics aren't the only thing, missing the interaction with other kids makes online schooling awful for that. Kids need this interaction, hell even as an adult I've tried sitting in zoom lectures and classes, freaking hell I can't do it, mainly because in my household apparently because I'm home means I must do other things as well.
 
powermzii said:
I answered as effective because they CAN BE - but its a lot more work for the teachers and parents / guardians watching over the kids. This would be specifically from an academic point of view. What is missed is the social interaction and the ability to walk up to someone (teach or student) and interact which is a huge component of being at school
Click to expand...

There are such things as webcams, with mic's that can alleviate a lot of that.
 
Teachers without the necessary workshop skills might see it as less effective, students who lack self-discipline will find themselves more prudent in a classroom setting. It all depends on the student, teacher and tools used. It's not necessarily a step backwards but in my opinion South Africa is not entirely ready for online learning, there are a lot more hurdles to face here than say if a country with better and nation wide internet connectivity were to jump to online learning.

The other problem with suddenly jumping across teaching methods is that the psychological implications of the transition has not really been worked out, remember both the teacher and student are still only human. Everyone has a preference. This could apply to the workplace as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X