This everlasting battle, “online learning vs traditional learning”, has been gaining traction in recent years. While the term college is usually connected with packed auditoriums and chaotic organization, this might stop being true. Distance learning is becoming more and more popular each year.

Traditional Learning vs Online Learning

Many students are deciding to forego traditional high education and commit to an online university or a specialized course.

However, some of the arguments for distance learning are still unclear. At one point, it was merely a question of the quality of provided education. Nowadays, dualism in the educational sector is bigger than ever.

The momentum has shifted with quality webinars changing people’s lives and being valuable CV additions. But before we abandon traditional education, let’s ask ourselves — how does it compare to online learning from an objective standpoint? Let’s observe the debate.

Flexibility

👉 Online learning

«Personally, online learning should be seen as a bigger benefit than it is now,» says Terrence Young, who works for an assignment writing service. «With the current economic situation, more and more students see online learning as a great way to improve one’s academic and financial situation.»

For example, you might be a student in college who wants to improve his data science knowledge. Online learning, such as a course in data science, allows you to gain additional knowledge whenever you have free time. As a result, you have a degree and certification that makes you a more promising candidate.

Therefore, online learning offers a flexible timetable addition.

👉 Traditional learning

This method is the best solution if a student or seminar attendee has a flexible work schedule. Some colleges offer a full program of non-mandatory classes, which is suitable for people who thrive on self-organization.

Because of this, free people can attend your seminar instead of being a webinar. But, in terms of developmental psychology, where does discipline stand here?

Read also: Ethical Issues in Online Learning

Discipline

👉 Online learning

For people who have unusual schedules, online education is the ideal choice. Most courses and webinars allow attendees to interact with them only minimally.

Having only a bit of reading and comprehension to do decreases your discipline. Unless you’re motivated, it will be easy to drift off and disregard your studies or webinar.

👉 Traditional learning

Traditional education was thought of as the most efficient way of motivating the unmotivated to study. By having a mandatory presence at a university or at a seminar, you are inclined to go.

Even if a person doesn’t feel like attending, they will be left with no option but to be exposed to the lesson or speech. Being exposed to your colleagues and professors is a great way to flourish — but is it necessary?

The Social Factor

👉 Online learning

Although there are stereotypes, online learning does, in fact, involve student-professor interactions. The way to accomplish this is simply different.

You can contact your lecturers or professors via video calls or in an online chat discussion. Or even the forums, which are seeing a rise in popularity.

👉 Traditional learning

For those unmotivated and extroverted, traditional learning is still the best way. You develop a competitive flair by interacting with your colleagues or attendees at a seminar.

The competitive atmosphere would fuel you even if you weren’t eager to attend class or a lecture that day. Motivated people affect others, and you will have an urge to learn and succeed despite initially not having it.

The Proposal for a Fused Model

A mixed educational model has shown to be effective as well, for both universities, seminars and those who these institutions serve.

Every college or organized seminar has a goal that is deeply attached to ethics and justifies aggressive marketing — it’s good for society that many people wish to learn. Attracting many individuals is always the goal, so different students will line up to learn.

Offering quality learning is achievable in both systems. And often, the choice comes to down not because of the learner’s preference but because of external circumstances.

This is why it’s best to participate in a webinar that you can listen to live or via live streaming. Or if you’re attending a brick-and-mortar university that also offers online courses. People have different preferences that can very well change, so a dual existence is imminent.

Coexistence

The key of both these models is coexistence. One day, you may not feel motivated to attend a course, but a competitive atmosphere will be a reinvigorating factor.

Another day, regular classes can bring disturbances to your work schedule. Combining traditional learning and online learning under a cohesive principle is a state from which we all can benefit.