Online and Traditional Teaching

Nowadays, every teacher have different style in teach students in the class. It might be online teaching or traditional teaching. Every teaching method or style have strength and weaknesses. Although online teaching is very similar to traditional teaching. In that both students required to manage the time and class and teacher accessibility. They are also different in teacher instruction and students scheduling.

According to “In a typical traditional course, the style of instruction at traditional universities is most often teacher-driven, in that the knowledgeable instructor lectures on the subject of his or her expertise.” (Education Portal, n.d.). Successful teachers in traditional room depend upon the presentation style of the teacher. Yet, a study from Indiana University know that students tend to rate lecturer highly based on what the students already learned, rather than the personality of the lecturer. Still, a personality students enjoyed in the instructor was important to students. Based on Education Portal. “In contrast, the style of instruction in online programs is student-driven.”.
Depending on the course, students may experience varying levels of control over the pace of receiving learning the material and when they attend the class. Online courses rely on Internet technology trends including Web pages, software programs such as Blackboard, message boards, chat rooms, webinars, webcasts, Internet research via search engines and social media. Face-to-face interaction with classmates or the instructor is absent.

In a traditional room, multiple students gather to learn in a specific time and place. Online courses allow students the flexibility to choose the time and place to learn that is most convenient for them. Each learning environment attracts different learning styles, and, given a choice, students tend to thrive in or to gravitate toward either an online or a traditional learning environment.
“Campus-based courses require that you attend class a certain number of times every week, at specific times” (Sarah, I. n.d.). That might mean changing your work schedule or having to hire a babysitter. “Online classes sometimes require that you attend scheduled meetings in chat rooms, but in many cases, you can work the virtual classes into your schedule whenever you want” (Sarah, I.
n.d.). For students who work full time or who have other obligations, an online forum allows the flexibility of being able to take on more coursework each semester without the burden of sitting through classes at set times every day. This provides flexibility for you to be able to work toward your degree on your own time, at your own pace.

According to Morgan, K. “Both online and traditional classes require students to manage their time wisely.” (Morgan, K. n.d.). In traditional classes, students structure their time outside of the classroom to allow for studying, projects and homework. However, Northcentral University, an online institution, states that with the absence of regular class meetings, online courses require students to acquire and learn course materials on their own time. According to the "Journal of
Asynchronous Learning Networks," this freedom is what makes online classes attractive to nontraditional students who may work additional jobs or have family responsibilities that make attending regular classes a challenge.

Based on Kokemuller, N. “However, online and traditional classes both provide mechanisms through which students can interact and get help.” (Kokemuller, N. n.d.). On campus, students can talk informally with instructors before and after class, ask questions during class and stop by during office hours. Online students can call or email instructors, and sometimes use cellphones to text.

In brief, online courses let students learn at their own pace, accomplish assignments on their own schedules and acquire the same knowledge as they would in a traditional, classroom-based course. Just like traditional classes, online instructors use discussion, assignments and community to educate students. However, their means of execution for these tools are quite different.