SHOULD ONLINE CLASSES REPLACE TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM TEACHERS?

Should Online Classes Replace Traditional Classroom Teachers?

Alejandra Y. Rosa

Los Angeles Leadership Academy High School

SHOULD ONLINE CLASSES REPLACE TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM TEACHERS? 2

Abstract

This paper will evaluate a study found by many authors based on the idea of online

classes replacing traditional classroom teachers. Online classes have become more

popular over the years because the new generation is increasing with technology. Writing

this paper will give a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of online

and traditional education. Traditional classrooms have been around for many years but

the new generations seems to like online classes much more because they dont get

distracted or they even work on it on their own time. Online classes are also more

affordable and you can take your work anywhere.

Keypoints: online, traditional, education, technology, teachers

SHOULD ONLINE CLASSES REPLACE TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM TEACHERS? 3

Online Classes Versus Traditional Classes

Traditional classes are lessons usually taught by the teacher introducing skills using a

smart board accompanied by a verbal explanation or a lecture. Traditional education is better

for those who need face-to-face communication (Bird, 2014). Many people prefer being taught

in person because they will get a better understanding and they can also ask questions if they

need help on a subject. Online classes is when someone is being taught on a computer through a

video recorded by a professor. Online classes let you watch the video until you learned the topic

and then you take a quiz to determine how much knowledge youve gained from watching the

video. Throughout the years technology has been advancing and becoming part of todays

generation. Most people take online classes to make up classes that they have failed in the past.

According to the authors of Can E-learning Replace Classroom Learning, E-learning

has emerged as a promising solution to lifelong learning and on-the-job work force training

(Zhang, Zhao, Zhou, Nunamaker, 2004, p. 76). This implies that most likely traditional

classrooms will end for the future. Technology will be the future because it will continue to

advance. A recent survey of higher education in the United States reported that more than 2.35

million students enrolled in online courses in fall 2004 (Kim, Bonk, 2006, p. 22). Online

Learning is becoming more important and students create challenges for themselves to become

independent. There is many benefits to taking an online class such as flexibility, blended

education and online distance learning.

SHOULD ONLINE CLASSES REPLACE TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM TEACHERS? 4

Flexibility

Many people are willing to go to college full-time but not everyone is fortunate to have a

full ride. Some people just have to work harder than others so this is why online classes is

beneficial because it offers a flexible schedule to anyone. Online classes will mold with your

schedule, login to your online course at a time that works best for you as opposed to having to

attend a lecture at a specific time (Bird, 2014). Having a flexible schedule helps individuals if

they have a job or a family because they can log in at any time of the day. However, if you

decide to go with traditional education you will not have the same amount of flexibility because

schedules are already coordinated. One thing youll need to remember to factor in is where you

live and work proximity to the campus (Bird, 2012). This would be a problem if you live far

and want traditional education because you have no flexibility what so ever you have to deal

with your class schedules and its stressful to be thinking about making time for everything all at

once.

As reported by the authors of Can E-Learning Replace Classroom Learning, The

Virtual Mentor gives learners flexible control over the learning process, style, and content to

meet their individual needs (Zhang, Zhao, Zhou, Nunamaker, 2004, p. 77). This means that they

build upon their own knowledge and experience many learning tasks on their own. Flexibility is

a big part of online classes because people get satisfied when they can do things on their own.

Horton, a working adult, needed an online program because of the convenience it offered

(Bird, 2014). For Horton online education is very beneficial because she has a job and most

likely a family to raise. Horton can sign up for online classes if her job isn't flexible in order for

her to attend a traditional education.

SHOULD ONLINE CLASSES REPLACE TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM TEACHERS? 5

Online distance learning

As claimed by Palloff and Pratt (2001), many students see online courses as a more

convenient way to go to school and earn a easy credit. Online education allows you to take any

classes that you know you will have knowledge in or classes you have failed before. The use of

online distance learning is creating changes in the delivery of education in general (Palloff,

Pratt, 2001). Online distance learning seems to show students motivation to engage into a higher

education. Education is important because it reduces poverty and shows economic growth.

Students like to move at their own pace, learning outcomes appeared to be the same as in

traditional courses, students with prior training in computers were more satisfied with online

courses (Tallent, Thomas, Cooper, Lan, 2006, p. 93).

On the other hand, distance education could take the form of a live educational forum in

which the participants are not physically present but with a simultaneous broadcast of both video

and audio information to the learners (Allen, Bourhis, Burrell, Mabry, 2002, p. 87). Online

distance learning allows students to talk to the professor through a broadcast video almost like an

online class and ask questions about something they don't understand. Traditional education is

more efficient in that point because the teacher and you are face-to-face and you can ask all the

questions you have. When you don't have direct interactions with your instructors, you may

tend to do not as well with the work you already have (Bird, 2014). Most people don't have the

ability to learn from just looking at a video because they need to physically see or be face-to-face

with the instructor. People like this should stay with the traditional education setting.
SHOULD ONLINE CLASSES REPLACE TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM TEACHERS? 6

Blended education model

There is plenty of disadvantages and advantages for both online and traditional education.

Students who were part of a blended education model performed better than those who are

exclusively one or the other (Bird, 2014). For example, if you take online and traditional

education you are advancing because you are learning face-to-face and learning from watching a

video with quizzes afterwards. Blended education is a combination of confidence and

face-to-face interaction within the classroom with the flexibility of an online class. The real test

of blended learning is the effective integration of the two main components (face-to-face and

internet technology) such that we are not just adding on to the existing dominant approach or

method (Garrison, Kanuka, 2004, p. 97). This represents that blended learning teaches

discipline and challenges an individual.

What makes blended learning particularly effective is its ability to facilitate a

community of inquiry. Community provides a stabilizing, cohesive influence that balances the

open communication and limitless access to information on the Internet (Garrison, Kanuka,

2004, p. 97). Blended learning guides individuals through communication and balance because

you balance your personal life with your academic life. Blended learning is simple because the

new generation will learn the new ways to deal with the advanced technology. Online Classes

provides many opportunities on the other hand traditional education provides you with a-g

requirements.
SHOULD ONLINE CLASSES REPLACE TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM TEACHERS? 7

Conclusion

Online education is beneficial because it offers flexibility which is a big advantage

because many people who start college work to pay off any debts that they have. This is a great

option for those who already have a time commitment with family and work (Bird, 2014).

Many kids lack the presence of their parents because some go to school and then work and don't

have time to spend with their kid. Through the development of learning community, students

learn that their greatest and most profound learning comes through reflection and interaction

with one another (Tallent, Thomas, Lan, Cooper, 2009). As a community people gather together

to influence each other and traditional classes show you that you can make friends.

Schools with blended learning provide students with new ways to learn a different

subject. Although, students find technology useful because it's part of their generation they

should not let traditional education die. Some students might also not like the teachers and so

they might be homeschooled. Online education should replace traditional education because you

can make it work with your job or family and advance in your career.
SHOULD ONLINE CLASSES REPLACE TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM TEACHERS? 8

References

Allen M., Bourhis J., Burrell N. & Mabry E. (2002). Comparing Student Satisfaction With

Distance Education to Traditional Classrooms in Higher Education: A Meta-Analysis.

Comparing Student Satisfaction With Distance Education to Traditional Classrooms in

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http://www.anitacrawley.net/Resources/Articles/Comparing%20student%20satisfaction%

20meta%20analysis.pdf

Bird, Kendall. (2014). Online vs. Traditional Education: The Answer You Never Expected.

Online vs. Traditional Education: The Answer You Never Expected. Retrieved from

http://www.rasmussen.edu/student-life/blogs/college-life/online-vs-traditional-education-

answer-never-expected/

Garrison, D. R., & Kanuka, H. (2004). Blended learning: Uncovering its transformative potential

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http://www.anitacrawley.net/Resources/Articles/GarrisonKanuka2004.pdf

Kim, Kyong-Jee; Bonk, Curtis J. (2006). The Future of Online Teaching and Learning in Higher

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https://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/EQM0644.pdf

Palloff, R. and Pratt, K. (2001). Lessons from the Cyberspace Classroom. Online Distance

Learning: More of the Same? Retrieved from

http://www.uwex.edu/disted/conference/resource_library/proceedings/01_20.pdf

Tallent-Runnels M., Thomas J., Lan W., Cooper S., Ahern T., Shaw S., and Liu X. (2009).
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