PILAR LOPEZ SANTAFE
2/8/20
ILAC PATHWAY
ONLINE VS TRADITIONAL EDUCATION
Is our society ready to respond to external factors such as pandemics or Illness in order to run
online classes or are we still in the traditional education processes? It has been clear that over
the last months the world is going through a rough time, which has allowed people to find new
alternatives to respond to an unpredictable future. According to Houlden & Veletsianos, our
society requires more adaptable education systems to improve as a community (2020). Apart
from this, institutions of high-level learning are expanding virtual courses responding to student
demand. E-learning has a promise due to it is convenient and availability (Callopy & Arnold,
2009). Taking an online or traditional class surely offers an excellent and quality service,
however, the difference between these types of education go far over its convenience because
of their sizeable differences such as time, environment, and cost.
To begin with, it is essential to keep in mind the concept of online education. Based on the
University of the POTOMAC, online learning is recognized as the education which takes place
over the Internet. Also well known as an “eLearning”, or “distance learning”. Online education
includes all the types of learning that are across distance rather than in a traditional classroom
(2019). Having this clear, time it is an important factor to consider, when it comes to managing
time it could make a massive difference in the process of learning. Assignments, presentations,
or finals exams will not be able to be done as effectively as need it. In a professional path, it is a
key to meet all the goals in a certain limited time. Likewise, time management is also about
helping to prevent pressure and stress while running everything at the last time [ CITATION Myc20
\l 1033 ]. In addition to this, the environment plays an important role because of the fact that it
could have disadvantages including a low retention levels, lack of purpose and fewer social
interaction [ CITATION Cor20 \l 1033 ]. And the last but not less important, the cost it is another
input to consider that it is a fact that there is no need to incur in expenses such as commute,
paper handouts, classroom space, desks, chairs, and other supplies. Based on the corporate
finance institute an average graduating student has college debt that reaches over US$37,000,
in the USA [ CITATION Cor20 \l 1033 ].
On the other hand, past generations have been taught in a traditional way of education, which is
defined as teacher-centered providing of information and guidelines to classes of students who
receive this learning in a presential way [ CITATION Jul18 \l 1033 ]. It is for this reason that
PILAR LOPEZ SANTAFE
2/8/20
ILAC PATHWAY
traditional education requires more time when it comes to schedule, schoolwork, and dedication.
First, in this method of learning is relevant to consider the commute time, location of campuses,
distance, and traffic whereas in the e-learning it will not be necessary. As an example of this,
could be brought up the situation of people who live in the countryside and have to consider
taking long time trips, and a long commute to get on time a class [ CITATION Wil17 \l 1033 ].
Secondly, a factor to consider is that in a conventional classroom, students would have the
chance to interact and work together with teachers and peers in a face-to-face way. This type of
education offers larger accessibility of higher- levels programs with hand-on-skills, an example
of this are the majors such a hospitality, medicine, engineering, etc. [ CITATION Cor20 \l 1033 ].
Saying this, it is important when weighing the alternatives that relationships are important during
the course of a lifetime, how to interact and handle communication skills could open doors on a
professional path. Going back to the cost factor, it is clear that the tuition for a conventional
education differs from university to university. One element to consider is the case of people
who study abroad, due to their immigration situation, foreign institutions charge more for the
education, also there are more external expenses that the student have to consider in his
budget. According to a research from the Corporate Finance Institute in 2020, who made a
comparison between the cost of an international student and a resident. It could infer a
significant difference.
PILAR LOPEZ SANTAFE
2/8/20
ILAC PATHWAY
To conclude, during this essay it could be observed that both methods of education offered to
the students a high quality of learning even though there were significant differences between
the two groups with regard to cost, time managing, and environment. When it comes to
compare and weigh alternatives to get an education, there is no right or wrong answer. The
majority of the arguments come down to personal perspectives and preferences. These types of
learning can all be effective, in spite of, it should be noted that nowadays convenience play an
important role in people life. Housewives, businessmen, international students, ill people, etc.
want to have a balance between the daily work and life, additionally those people every time
want to improve their education and while they are running with work-home responsibilities
something could give them the opportunity to even continue studying.
REFERENCES
Corporate Finance Institute. (2020). Corporate Finance Institute. Retrieved from
https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/elearning/5-advantages-of-online-
learning-vs-traditional-classes/
Erstad, W. (2017). Rasmussen College. Retrieved from Rasmussen Colege:
https://www.rasmussen.edu/student-experience/college-life/online-vs-traditional-
education-answer-never-expected/
Huson, J. A. (2018). Seattlepi. Retrieved from Education Seattlepi:
https://education.seattlepi.com/advantages-traditional-schools-
2140.html#:~:text=Traditional%20education%20is%20defined%20as,writing%2C
%20science%20and%20social%20studies.
My college Guide. (2020). My college Guide. Retrieved from
https://mycollegeguide.org/blog/2017/05/online-classes-vs-traditional-classes/
PILAR LOPEZ SANTAFE
2/8/20
ILAC PATHWAY
