Alice Turner
- Dec 28, 2021
- 3 min read

Online learning vs. the Classroom.

It's an ongoing debate: is e-learning really as effective as learning in the classroom? I did some research and discovered some surprising results.

So why is online learning so successful?

In this video I explored some of the key reasons why online learning has such positive benefits for both students and their parents.

Online learning has been shown to increase retention of information,and take less time, meaning the changes coronavirus have caused might be here to stay. (5)

Research has shown that students in online learning performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction, but it has to be done right. (1)

In some studies, distance education students actually performed better in exams and grades than traditional classroom students, but overall the average performance outcomes weren’t that different.

We are beginning to see how technology is starting to offer teachers new ways to captivate and communicate with their students. With the use of technology in the classroom rising, we have also seem a rise in the role of gamification and gamified learning, also known as play-based learning, in online education. Gamification enables the user to learn the lexicon of their chosen studied language through a series of virtual challenges with instant rewards. The obvious benefit of these apps is the potential for individuals to learn at their own comfort and pace, and to track their progress through levels and point systems.

Interacting with native speakers is a tried and tested method for achieving competency in a second language, and the ease with which online platforms can connect students with native speakers makes it a fantastic resource for learning.

Some research shows that on average, students retain 25-60% more material when learning online compared to only 8-10% in a classroom. This is mostly due to the students being able to learn faster online; e-learning requires 40-60% less time to learn than in a traditional classroom setting because students can learn at their own pace, going back and re-reading, skipping, or accelerating through concepts as they choose.

The Cons

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), sighted that a teachers’ ability to connect with students is key to identify their needs. This can be a challenge for teachers without time spent in the physical classroom, especially if online learning is being used to teach a large class rather than smaller groups or one-to-one sessions. Many of us have experienced the nightmares of traditional sized large classes trying to adapt to e-learning during the pandemic, especially with younger age-groups, who generally need more hands-on attention and support.

If students don’t have access to technology or struggle with poor internet connection, issues connecting to live video conferencing can make the learning experience frustrating and isolating. Not all students have great skills with technology, and so they might not get the most out of virtual education. If teachers don’t have the skills or time to help them develop these skill sets, students can fall behind or miss out on opportunities.

The effectiveness of online learning varies depending on the age of the learner.

For younger children, a more structured environment is required, because kids get more easily distracted. To get the full benefit of online learning, a teacher needs to go beyond replicating a physical class/lecture. Instead, they need to use a range of collaboration tools and engagement methods that promote “inclusion, personalization and intelligence”, according to Dowson Tong, Senior Executive Vice President of Tencent and President of its Cloud and Smart Industries Group. Since studies have shown that children extensively use their senses to learn, making learning fun and effective through use of technology is crucial, according to BYJU's Mrinal Mohit:

“Over a period, we have observed that clever integration of games has demonstrated higher engagement and increased motivation towards learning especially among younger students, making them truly fall in love with learning”

Conclusion

There are certainly pros and cons to learning online. Overall, it seems that learning online can be hugely effective for students, however, it is imperative that the needs of the learner are addressed, and that the experience isn't just a replication of a live classroom setting, as this can make for a disengaging and frustrating learner experience. Online learning can lower stress levels, as the student is learning from the comfort of their own home. This may be one of the reasons why information retention is so much higher than in the classroom setting.

The best online classes:

are in smaller groups than traditional classrooms
are personalized to suit the learners needs particularly with younger students who need extra engagement.
use games and technology to expand the horizons of what is possible in a classroom environment.

Don't miss out of the benefits of learning a language online - sign your child up today to experience engaging, fun classes with fast results with Miss Alice.