The global education system has been characterized by face-to-face learning until recently. For centuries, people have depended on face-to-face learning until the proliferation of the internet led to online learning. Face-to-face education is a preferred method due to the opportunities for personal interactions that enhance learning. Online learning happens through the internet, and it is not suitable because it limits the educational processes of building social and professional skills. Face-to-face education is better than online learning because it offers opportunities for building interpersonal relationships, and it upholds the principles of a sound education system.
Face-to-face learning involves the meeting of an instructor and students for teaching sessions. The instructor shares information to students by word of mouth or by audiovisual presentations. The method of learning promotes the development of bonds between the two parties, which aids in the learning process. Face-to-face learning is a comprehensive system that helps to build students holistically through personal relationships, modeling, and sharing information.
Besides, most learning materials are physical and better understood in physical settings. According to Miliszewska, students perform better in projects and assignment submissions in face-to-face learning, indicating that the model fosters the transfer of skills and not just knowledge (499). Face-to-face learning also promotes the formation of a deep sense of community rather than individualism, which remediates feelings of isolation common among online learning students.
Face-to-face learning is a sound education system. It has the principles of student-instructor contact, student cooperation, active learning, prompt feedback from instructors, time discipline, high expectations, and values diverse talents (Stern 8). Face-to-face education allows the sharing of communal values and beliefs. Students learn to uphold community living that mirrors life in the larger society. Students learn the social skills necessary for success in the corporate world. Students also learn how to maintain discipline in life. It is, therefore, a holistic system of learning that not only informs, but also prepares students for the world.
Online learning has developed as an alternative to face-to-face education. The promoters of online education argue that the system offers convenience for learners. The providers of online education utilize course management software for designing and delivering course content to students (Stern 1). Online learning replaces the top-down relationships between an instructor and students with a more balanced approach where the teacher serves as a guide (Stern 2).
The basis of online learning is sharing information rather than modeling learning examples, passing skills, or building relationships to foster learning. Online learners do not have to interact with each other or build relationships. The lack of a sense of community predisposes learners to the feeling of isolation. Communication happens through learning software or email, further reducing the chances of holistic learning. The benefits of reduced costs, use of technology, and progressive storage of data do not outweigh the primary needs of building skills, community, and modeling examples
To sum up, face-to-face learning is better than online education because it offers experiences, skills, and relationships that are not available in online learning. Besides, some courses require the physical presence of a student, while others do not. Face-to-face education is a style that operates on sound learning principles for the holistic development of students. Due to various factors such as work and distance, students are increasingly opting for online learning. However, face-to-face learning is a better method of education, as it provides more learning benefits.
Works Cited
Miliszewska, Iwona. “Is It Fully ‘On’ Or Partly ‘Off’? The Case of Fully-Online Provision of Transnational Education”. Journal of Information Technology Education: Research, vol 6, 2007, pp. 499-514. Web.
Stern, Joshua. “Introduction to Online Teaching and Learning.” Wlac.Edu. Web.