face to face vs online learning

The most representative feature that makes human beings different from other

mammals is the ability of learning. Through the years and due to the advance of technology,

the learning process has increased, allowing society to find not only traditional ways but also

technological ones. These new online methods were made to be more practical for people

who cannot afford the time and money to take traditional courses. ​Although online learning

may be a great alternative, it must be taken into consideration the fact that students spend a

huge amount of time at schools, where they not only learn their subjects but they also

enhance their social skills for the rest of their lives. In the Chilean context, there are several

educational institutions that offer online courses and, at the end of it, a certification, however

it has been on discussion their effectiveness. Since human beings are social, that aspect must

not be avoided while taking an online course. It is a well known fact that the learning process

is more meaningful when is practised with others, since it is easier to have a conversation,

sharing opinions and clarifying questions. On the other hand, self reflection is needed when

deciding to take any online course. Am I enough proactive to do a course at home? Will

procrastination be an obstacle in this process? These are certain questions which are a real

problem nowadays while working on the internet. Finally, the digital gap, which is in a

nutshell either almost or non availability of technological resources, causes that people who

neither cannot afford the money for a computer would not be able to have access to the

course.

Online courses are extremely convenient for some people, however they may face a

huge problem for their learning process such as loneliness. According to GGGGGGGGG in

traditional courses when working in groups they increase retention due to the sociability that
the learners face. Working with others enhance thinking skills because you are open to share

and discuss about information, building and broadening the understanding of any subject.

Regardless the fact that online courses may be useful for some students to learn, it still has

the lack of not being a social tool which makes the difference between traditional learning

and the online one. Loneliness in the other hand, may cause that people struggle with

motivation especially when they do not have feedback directly by an educator. GGGGGGG

points out that regarding online courses may be useful, the social part should not be avoided

in order to be successful at the end, that is why it is more suitable to use this kind of tools as a

complement for traditional methods instead of avoid the social aspect of learning.

Being independent and fully responsible are qualities that are needed whenever

deciding to take an online course. Due to the fact that internet is full of distractors it may

cause chaos for people who struggle to be focused on the tasks while working on the

computer. Second, since there is not an instructor, teacher or monitor, being self-sufficient is

compulsory otherwise the tendency of procrastination would increase. Since there is not

anyone reminding you about your tasks, or putting pressure about your coming exams would

end up in failing the course and a waste of money. Taking that into the Chilean context and

the way the educational system works, there is a lot of improvements that should be made

before starting to even think about replacing the traditional learning at schools or universities

to the online one. MINEDUC supports the idea that online education must not be an option

over the traditional one, especially when taking into consideration psychological and social

aspects due to the fact the children spend more time there than at home.

Even though the advance of technology has been growing fast, it still exists many

people who cannot afford neither a computer nor internet connection. Regarding there are

several alternatives to get rid of that issue, going to a cybercafé or using the technological
device of anyone else just may not be consider practical. GGGGGGGG put the term “digital

gap” that is referred to the lack of knowledge that a person may have towards the ICT

[Information and communication technology]. In the light of above if online courses replace

traditional learning the government should make sure about people’s literacy in relation to

technology. If people do not have the competences needed to use technology they will

struggle the entire course ending up in frustration or even worse failing the subject. Due to

the fact that it is almost impossible for the Chilean government to give to every student the

resources needed for online courses the reason why there is no way the traditional one would

be replaced.

http://www.latercera.com/nacional/noticia/la-irrupcion-los-colegios-on-line/118824/

https://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/distance/faq/disadvantages/

https://ww2.kqed.org/education/2017/02/28/5-ways-to-combat-loneliness-and-isolation-in-on

line-learning/

https://getcollegecredit.com/blog/article/studying_alone_vs._group_study_which_is_better

http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0187-358X2009000200011