Now that the internet has transformed most aspects of our lives, it's hardly surprising that technology has triggered a new phase in the evolution of education. Methods of teaching have also evolved. For example, the Victorian classroom was very different from today's schools' more casual, collaborative environment. The growth of online learning, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic, has been rapid. As a means of accessing private tuition, it has been with us for several years, but in the post-pandemic world, it has become an integral part of the teaching system.
Offline learning simply refers to a conventional classroom, tutorial and lecture theatre teaching. It takes place face to face, either in an educational institution or if it's one-to-one tuition, then it can be conducted in the student's home, at the tutor's premises or anywhere convenient for both parties. Online learning is virtual and remote. Some tutors will host several students in one class, while others will concentrate on individuals, one at a time.
Apart from the physical difference between the two methods, there are other ways in which they differ. One of these is the greater scheduling flexibility of online teaching. It can be arranged anywhere and at any time since there's no need to conform to a specific timetable. Furthermore, because online learning is based upon technology, it simplifies the display and sharing of materials.
We all know what conventional face-to-face teaching involves. For it to be effective, it needs a very good teacher and receptive students. Online learning requires the same essential components, but there are several advantages unique to the virtual experience. We should also acknowledge its limitations. Let's look at some of the pros and cons of online learning.
Pros
Accessibility: Accessibility is one of the most obvious benefits. It's ideal for people who, for whatever reason, can't get to physical classes or want to augment their schooling around other commitments. This is true of school-age and adult education. A screen, speaker and keyboard sweep away many practical barriers to learning. It means wider access for a broader demographic, which is an unalloyed good.
Personalisation: >One of the reasons why students turn to online tuition is that they find the pace or structure of the classroom experience unsuitable for the way they want to study and learn. Online classes allow enormous freedom both in their scheduling and in the speed at which a topic is covered. In a traditional environment, it's too easy to fall behind, so when the teacher moves on to a new topic, a pupil may not have reached a secure understanding of the previous one. With an online tutor, it's much easier to go at an appropriate speed, so the pupil gains a full understanding.
Cost: State school education is free at the point of delivery, although we all pay for it through our taxes. Private school education can be phenomenally expensive, and although private schools have substantially greater resources and smaller class sizes, there is no guarantee that the learning experience will lead to significantly better outcomes. Private tuition fills a gap. It's true that it comes at a price, but the online option is considerably more affordable than one-to-one in-person private lessons. If a student is struggling to keep up or has had to be absent from school for health or personal reasons, few institutions will have the capacity to help them make up the difference. Online tuition is the perfect low-cost solution, yielding results far in excess of the modest investment required.
Cons
Online learning has a few limitations, but the right tutor can overcome these. Some teachers may lack the creativity to make every session feel fresh and consistent engagement can be hard to achieve. Certain subjects, can be challenging to teach online, however, a good teacher finds imaginative ways not only to replicate the benefits of classroom interaction but also to hold the attention and interest of students.