While many students struggled when brick-and-mortar schools moved online in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, online education has improved a great deal since then. Educators at dedicated online schools have figured out what works and what doesn’t work. Today, attending an online school can be just as effective, if not more effective, than attending a brick-and-mortar school for some children. There are many differences between these avenues of education that might make virtual schooling a good choice for your child. Traditional schools have rigid schedules where students have to be in certain places at certain times. If they are late, sick, or away because of a family vacation or special activities, they will miss valuable class time. Online schools often allow for more schedule flexibility. There may be certain times when your child is required to be online, but the school may be able to schedule those times around your needs, and the rest of the school day is up to you. You can schedule your child’s education at the times that work the best for your child and the family. Additionally, your child can attend school from anywhere in the world as long as they have an internet connection. Even if you move to another location, or are away from home for an extended length of time, your child will still be able to attend their classes without interruption. Online schools often have a different educational focus, offer different electives, or encourage parents to choose activities that aren’t available at traditional schools. These options allow students to study whatever interests them, even if it’s not available at the local public school. Some online schools are also able to condense lessons for core school subjects into a shorter time period during the school day, with extra teacher time available for students when they need it. Students have the flexibility to spend extra time on subjects they are struggling in so they can master the content, or to go beyond the regular curriculum in areas where they have a strong interest. At some online schools, teachers spend more time customizing classwork for individual students based on their needs and interests. This customization keeps the students engaged with the course material and can make it easier for them to master the content. If you choose an online education for your child, you have more opportunities to help facilitate their learning. Unlike in traditional schools, where parental involvement is very limited, virtual schools allow you to take an active role in your child’s schooling. While greater parental involvement is not ideal for everyone, especially parents who have a lot of responsibilities outside the house, many families love this aspect of online schools. As an online school parent, you become a “learning coach” for your child. You are not the primary teacher, but you still make sure they attend classes, understand the material, and practice good time management. Your child is likely to spend more time with you than they would if you sent them to an in-person school. There are many advantages to being engaged in your child’s education. Many parents like it because it helps them know their child’s educational needs as well as their strengths and weaknesses. Others find that helping their child with school gives them bonding time they wouldn’t otherwise have. Either way, online schools give parents an opportunity to take a hands-on approach to their child’s education that would not be possible in a traditional school. Online schools use technology far more than traditional schools. In many cases, students at these schools have the opportunity to practice using new technologies and digital tools that traditional schools might not have the resources to implement. Online school students are often much better than their peers at keeping up to date with new technological developments. They are typically ahead of the curb when new resources and learning methods become mainstream. The online nature of virtual schools makes it easier to keep your child in a safe learning environment. They are not stuck in a building with peers they might not get along with, so bullying is less likely to occur. In a virtual setting, there is a significantly lower chance that they will meet or have prolonged contact with a bully. Some online schools, such as Healing Roots Online School (HROS), have smaller class sizes than the average brick-and-mortar school. Smaller class sizes allow the teacher to monitor student interactions and ensure that no problems arise between students. Parents also have more opportunities to communicate with their child and the teacher to ensure their child is safe and happy in school. In traditional schools, most students are limited to meeting peers from their neighborhood. The only opportunity to meet other students from different places is if someone new moves into town. Since virtual schools are location-independent, students typically don’t have to be in the same geographic area to attend. Your child will have opportunities to make friends from other areas of the state, country, or even the world. This will expose your child not only to many people they would never have otherwise met, but also to different cultures and viewpoints that are essential to a well-rounded education. Online schools can be just as good or better than a traditional school, depending on your child’s learning style and your family’s needs. If you want to see what a typical online school class is like, you can watch a free sample class from Healing Roots Online School. .jpeg?width=2508&name=Education%20(1).jpeg "The Truth About Online vs. Traditional Education (2)")
Online Schools Offer More Schedule and Location Flexibility
.jpeg?width=2508&name=Education%20(2).jpeg "The Truth About Online vs. Traditional Education (3)")
You Get a More Personalized Education with Online Schools
Online Schools Allow More Parental Involvement
.jpeg?width=2513&name=Education%20(3).jpeg "The Truth About Online vs. Traditional Education (4)")
Online Schools Uses More Modern Technology
Less Bullying Occurs with Online Schools
.jpeg?width=2508&name=Education%20(4).jpeg "The Truth About Online vs. Traditional Education (5)")
Opportunities to Make Friends in Other Geographic Areas
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FAQs
The Truth About Online vs. Traditional Education? ›
With traditional schooling, there are often attendance policies and deadlines for assignments, so self-discipline isn't as important. With online schooling however, there is much more freedom and self-motivation needed to succeed.
Is traditional education better than online education? ›Traditional education might be the best for someone who wants the whole social classroom experience. To enjoy a more flexible option though, online education may be more beneficial. Both online and traditional education have their perks. So, it seems like there is a need to get the best of both worlds.
Are online schools as effective as traditional schools? ›Online schools can be just as good or better than a traditional school, depending on your child's learning style and your family's needs. If you want to see what a typical online school class is like, you can watch a free sample class from Healing Roots Online School.
Why is in person learning better than online? ›Advantages of In-Person Classes
Distractions like the internet, TV, phones and even family members can make it hard to study. In-person classes can be a chance to step away from these distractions and focus solely on learning. The routine of attending a class at the same time each week can be a helpful way to learn.
Most want in-person education
According to researchers, 65 percent of students preferred in-person instruction, compared to 18 percent who prefer a hybrid model and 9 percent who reported they'd rather learn remotely. However, the survey found significant differences between ethnic groups.
The Advantages of Face to Face Learning in the Classroom
You can access more information and richer understanding through teacher and other students' body language and voice. You have the opportunity to connect with, problem-solve, and network with other students from a wide range of backgrounds.
- Lack of face-to-face interaction.
- Difficulty staying motivated.
- Limited access to resources and support.
- Technical difficulties.
- Isolation.
Online courses allow students to learn at their own pace on their own schedule, which is an approach to studying known as asynchronous learning. This format empowers students to take notes, review lectures, and go over other course materials in a way that works best for them.
Why physical classes are better than online classes? ›A physical classroom has different materials and furniture in them. This includes projection screens, board, teachers, class monitors, etc. Moreover, many of the elements in a physical classroom bring positivity and concentration to students regarding studies. They also help the students to feel less distracted.
Why is online school harder than regular school? ›A good online course will encourage students to chat and interact with one another, but even the best efforts cannot replace in-person interaction. Some students may find that being unable to meet up with classmates to study or commiserate affects their performance and makes the online class more difficult.
Do students perform better in online classes? ›
Some students do as well in online courses as in in-person courses, some may actually do better, but, on average, students do worse in the online setting, and this is particularly true for students with weaker academic backgrounds. Students who struggle in in-person classes are likely to struggle even more online.
Do online students do better? ›Online courses teach students how to manage their time better since the student bears the responsibility of engaging with the course instead of simply showing up to class on an assigned day and time. As a result, students not only gain knowledge from the coursework, but they also sharpen their time management skills.
Do people learn better in-person or virtually? ›Physical Learning Offers More Hands-On Experience
Face-to-face interaction is essential for greater clarity and understanding than online training. Human contact is vital to enjoy hands-on learning.
More than three-fourths of the teachers preferred online teaching during the pandemic, and most preferred both physical and mixed teaching in the post-pandemic era.
What percentage of students learn better online? ›42% of grad students compared to 30% of undergrads preferred online learning to in-classroom learning. On average, students can retain 25% to 60% more information when learning online compared to 8% to 10% when in the classroom. eLearning requires 40% to 60% less time learning than traditional classrooms.
What is the success rate of online learning? ›When it comes to the difference between passing and failing, on-campus courses had better outcomes. Researchers found that 63 percent of students pass traditional courses, but just 56 percent pass online classes, according to USA Today.
Why in person school is better than online essay? ›Face-to-face education encourages students to connect with others and learn how to socialize with different people. The world is diverse, and people have different beliefs and values. Therefore, the method allows learners to meet people of different backgrounds and learn about various cultures (Paul and Jefferson 3).
Are online courses easier than traditional? ›If you feel as though you work well independently, and can balance your schedule, online classes may be for you. However, if you struggle with keeping pace in an online curriculum, you may benefit from a more traditional setting. Keep in mind, online learning takes time to get used to!
Is online learning as effective as face-to-face? ›Despite the many advantages of online learning, face-to-face learning remains the preferable option for many people. Face-to-face learning offers a range of benefits, from being able to interact with instructors and peers in person to have more control over your learning process.
How is an online class compared to a traditional class paragraph? ›Online classes mainly take place through the internet. As such, online classes lack the regular student teacher interaction that is common with traditional learning. On the other hand, learning in traditional classes involves direct interaction between the student and the instructors (Donovan, Mader and Shinsky 286).