To What Extent Can online Learning Replace or Enhance Traditional Classroom-Based Learning in Higher Education?

Module Code: PM501 2T (SS1)

Class/Group: Group 7

Module Title: Skills for Study 1

Assessment: Final Essay

Assignment Title: To what extent can online learning replace or enhance traditional classroom-based learning in higher education?

Tutor Name:  Leda Jeliazkova

Student ID Number: 229775        

Date of Submission: Feb 22nd, 2016

Nowadays online learning is becoming more and more popular among younger group in tertiary school. From Daniel (1996), due to the lower costs, online education is increasingly widespread. However, that learning is highly dependent on the individual’s motivation to learn, so online learning is not suitable for everyone and students need to use as appropriate for their situation（Dhirendra Kumar，2010）. Briefly there are some benefits and drawbacks sides in this type of learning method. This essay will argue that although online learning in tertiary education have some benefits, but because of the adverse impact on the individual learning habits, so online learning cannot entirely substitute traditional classroom-based learning, but in some aspects can enhance it availably. In the first place, this essay will introduce several advantages in teamwork project with online learning, following by some weaknesses of efficiency in it. Afterward, the next part of this essay will present other benefits about online learning quality as well as present the disadvantages arising under this special learning environment. In the end of this essay, I will make a summary from above.

On the one hand, it is a convenient way for students by using online learning. Firstly, Students can easily break the barriers of time and space. For instance, Poole’s (2000) study indicated that when students were asked to conduct a discussing-based online courses, majority of them think the most appropriate time is Saturday. This means students only need to prepare for their online discussing, without considering the available classroom, and they also do not need to limit the time in work days. Flexibility is another strong point of online learning (Petrides, 2002; Schrum, 2002). Petrides (2002) pointed out that it was easier to work without managing their timetable in online learning as one may do in a traditional classroom-based course. For example, a large number of people who use online learning also have their own business. So when their work takes up the study time, they can effortlessly adjust the time to a suitable period. In addition, selecting the connectable learning experience is positive else. In the study of Chizmar and Walbert (1999), it is argued that the skill to restrictedly make a choice from the menu of diverse learning experiences help them to find the approaches that the most suitable method they learn. Shortly, online learning can more or less provide a slight support for traditional classroom-based learning.

However, there are some disadvantages with online learning. Firstly, according to Branford et al, online learning cannot promise an effective study. Due to the lack of supervisors, students cannot concentrate on learning for a long period of time. Especially when we watching the online video, during the edge of the web page there are always some very tempting entertainment advertising. Then, based on the research of Dhirendra Kumar, a number of online courses involve strong pacing. Generally, at the beginning of an online course students will deal with their work with a predetermined time on a high intensity pace. Once a student failure to adapt to this pace, he or she will face more problems in later online courses. The next issue’s focal point is teacher, particularly in some online courses contain feedback. According to Liyan（2004）, due to the lack of reliable communication, teachers cannot acquire enough available feedback from students. For example, 60 percent of students said it is slightly difficult to understand the teacher's teaching objectives. Obviously, from the above points, it is clearly shows that online learning technology cannot entirely replace traditional classroom in higher education.