Introduction
It is no secret that the popularity of online education is growing. With the development of technology, more and more people will study remotely without being tied to a place or a strict study schedule. In brief, online learning is a method of distance learning using the Internet and a computer. In modern society, more and more people are choosing e-education since they spend more time on the learning process and are in a familiar environment. Online learning is a high-quality and effective way of getting an education, demonstrating greater effectiveness than a regular course of lectures.
Analysis
Effectiveness of Online Education
One should mention that online education is one of the most effective, beneficial, and productive forms of obtaining and improving knowledge, skills, and abilities. Firstly, online education guarantees continuous learning and an opportunity to fill the education gaps without prejudice to the student’s educational process. In particular, this phenomenon manifests itself most vividly in periods of unforeseen circumstances and difficult moments, as it was at the height of COVID-19 (Basar et al., 2021).
The choice of a subject, the volume of study, a tutor, or the schedule all increase productivity and eliminate the possibility of “absenteeism” from a lesson. Therefore, e-learning is more flexible and convenient, and people can study almost anytime, at their own pace, and anywhere (ErtuÄźrul, 2020). This is incredibly suitable for individuals with busy schedules or disabilities. Based on this point of view, online learning seems more valuable and of higher quality.
Secondly, online learning allows students to have one-on-one conversations with educators and peers to better understand and study subjects. Notably, this is one of the aspects that most appeals to students, and communication in an online format is in no way inferior to face-to-face (Zheng et al., 2021). Hence, according to Basar et al. (2021), by interacting online, both instructors and students stay in touch with each other and can communicate despite the distance. Accordingly, the absence of geographical restrictions in obtaining an education is undoubtedly one of the main advantages of such education (ErtuÄźrul, 2020). Moreover, in this case, ideas are exchanged with other students on topics such as combining the schedule with work and family and searching for career opportunities and support throughout a course.
Thirdly, online education offers high-quality programs at an affordable price while allowing students to master collaboration skills using online tools. At the same time, the academic material is carefully checked by qualified instructors and presented fascinatingly to learners since high-quality programs use the most modern tools and methods to create unique materials designed for online learners. Moreover, online learning can improve a person’s technical skills (ErtuÄźrul, 2020). To complete an online course, one must navigate various educational platforms and other programs; the computer skills that a student acquires will help in all future efforts.
Fourthly, by studying remotely, students develop planning skills and independence, as they have to devote enough time to prepare for a lesson based on materials prepared by specialists. Due to this approach to teaching, learners develop the habit of engaging consciously and responsibly (Bozkurt et al., 2020). Independence is the leading quality of a person, and due to this quality, an individual is able to make decisions and be responsible for their actions.
Finally, education in an online setting is associated mainly with a wide range of advantages and positive aspects. Indeed, the list of benefits is not limited to those listed earlier. In general, e-learning demonstrates high efficiency and effectiveness in practice. The researchers state that online learning is more likely to lead to the same or better learning outcomes than the traditional option (Zheng et al., 2021).
At the same time, today, it is a partial-fledged replacement for traditional classroom teaching. The results of one study show that this type of training is only suitable for some students and needs to consider people’s characteristics (Pei & Wu, 2019). Thus, in order to achieve the best results and high achievements, it is recommended to appeal to mixed learning, combining both full-time and online classes.
Possibility of Replacing Traditional Classroom Teaching
As mentioned earlier, online courses can only partially replace traditional classroom training. For the most part, this moment is explained by the fact that through the synthesis of both “classical” and online learning, the best result of mastering new knowledge and acquiring professional competencies is achieved (Pei & Wu, 2019). Online education is a unique, fresh, innovative, and modern trend in the academic sphere, which, over time, will be able to easily surpass the classic option of obtaining an education document. Nevertheless, attempting to transfer educational practices to the online space seems difficult and unacceptable.
Online education allows students to ask questions publicly and arrange discussions. The interactive component is still a small fraction of the time; thus, posting a presentation and a recording that a student can listen to over coffee with an acceleration of 1,5 times. Nevertheless, many problems related to accounting, control, and payment for the new education model still need to be solved. Offline, a student pays for the fact that he is provided with a certain number of hours of classes and an instructor is required to be physically present in a classroom for many hours (Strengths and weaknesses of online learning, n.d.). Now, over time, it is necessary to refocus on the result, and there are many different questions regarding the submission of material and the verification of tasks.
Online education is an excellent addition to the existing academic systems, which include lectures, seminars, practical work, and homework. Indeed, the full-time format is more suitable for someone who prefers to attend classes and ask questions to professors. Accordingly, it is more convenient for someone to listen to a lecture’s recorded speech since it can be paused or rewound if specific points remain unclear.
Regardless, it should be clearly understood that education in integrity is not only listening to speeches and completing assignments; it requires the learner’s inclusion in society for full communication and interaction with educators and other students. Furthermore, online practices should be harmoniously integrated into the traditional educational environment. For example, in the case of exact and natural sciences, the lack of feedback leads to problems (Burgess et al., 2020).
When lecturers give a lecture on the blackboard, they see the students’ reactions and can freely rearrange the presentation during the lecture, adapting the material to the audience. If a teacher records a lecture for an online course, there are no real people in front of them but some average students, and one must reduce the material to an intermediate level. As a result, some students need more knowledge, while others have to make great efforts to understand the material.
Online education is perfect for a more motivated and disciplined audience, which consists mostly of magistrates or postgraduate students. Learners still need help and support; online education noticeably relaxes students and discourages their desire to comprehend new phenomena and gain knowledge. Sometimes, even the most capable students find it challenging to adapt to learning with the help of technology.
Therefore, online learning will only partially replace live lectures, discussions, and seminars, but it can become an excellent support at certain moments. Furthermore, it is imperative to treat the class schedule with all rigor to avoid allowing students or teachers to relax. Based on this circumstance, one should not replace one with another but only complement, synthesize, and integrate; each type of education has its pros and cons. In addition, the basis of civilization is a school, in the broadest sense of the word, as a system in which masters of their craft transfer knowledge to students. It requires intensive, interactive communication — immersion in a team and participation in scientific and practical activities.
Summary
Online learning can be as effective as traditional education. It is based on almost the same principles as classical education: homework and classroom work, interaction with an instructor, and grades—all the same, but only without auditoriums. However, it only partially replaces the “classical” format of training. Based on this, online learning has both many advantages and disadvantages, and the mixed format seems to be the highest quality. Acquiring knowledge through online learning and performing practical work in classrooms is the most acceptable way to obtain a certificate or diploma in mastering specific disciplines and subjects.
Conclusion
In summary, online education is one of the most effective and efficient forms of education, considering modern realities. Distance learning even surpasses traditional classroom teaching in terms of effectiveness in many ways due to several tools that make online learning interactive and practical. However, the significance of online learning is more often associated with the independent study of materials at a convenient pace and mode, without pedagogical pressure and strict frameworks, and with the possibility of using modern tools and electronic libraries. Nonetheless, this phenomenon does not mean that online learning is a full-fledged substitute for face-to-face training but rather serves as an addition to it, especially in critical situations, as was the case with the coronavirus outbreak.
References
Basar, Z. M., Mansor, A. N., Jamaludin, K. A., & Alias, B. S. (2021). The effectiveness and challenges of online learning for secondary school students–a case study. Asian Journal of University Education, 17(3), 119-129. Web.
Burgess, A., van Diggele, C., Roberts, C., & Mellis, C. (2020). Feedback in the clinical setting. BMC Medical Education, 20(2), 1-5. Web.
Bozkurt, A., Jung, I., Xiao, J., Vladimirschi, V., Schuwer, R., Egorov, G.,… & Paskevicius, M. (2020). A global outlook to the interruption of education due to COVID-19 pandemic: Navigating in a time of uncertainty and crisis. Asian Journal of Distance Education, 15(1), 1-126. Web.
ErtuÄźrul, T.U. (2020). The effectiveness of online learning: 18 reasons why online courses are more effective. DAN Global. Web.
Pei, L., & Wu, H. (2019). Does online learning work better than offline learning in undergraduate medical education? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medical Education Online, 24(1), 1-13. Web.
Strengths and weaknesses of online learning. (n.d.). The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. Web.
Zheng, M., Bender, D., & Lyon, C. (2021). Online learning during COVID-19 produced equivalent or better student course performance as compared with pre-pandemic: Empirical evidence from a school-wide comparative study. BMC Medical Education, 21(1), 1-11. Web.