Over the past few decades there has been a rise in options for distance learning. Encompassing everything from the classic mailed correspondence across the spectrum of media to strictly online courses. They have all played an important role in allowing educational opportunities for those who would otherwise be unable to gain access to these programs. Although, due to recent global events the need for traditional classroom settings have been called into question. As students across the world are forced to take online courses due to public health concerns.
There has been a push by many to move our educational environment to one based mainly online. While this may seem like a viable option to many. There should be a balance struck between the various settings. Many will say that using the online format will help students develop skills sought after by employers. While this may be true in terms of skills regarding technology usage. They are overlooking a set of skills that is even more desired by industries across the board. “When in a classroom, students may be required to speak their mind, give presentations, or speeches. They will have to work in groups with all kinds of people with many differing viewpoints. Businesses often tell university faculty that they wish graduating students had more interpersonal skills. They say it is crucial to success in their careers (Hughes).”
Unfortunately, interpersonal skills are not the only thing technological dependent students lack to develop. As technology pushes further into our education system, there are other behaviors that are becoming more dominant and accepted as the norm. Such as an inability to focus, constant checking of social media, and a general disregard for those around them. Not only from the students, but also from those given the task of educating them. David Ellis, Ph.D, course director of the department of communication studies at York University in Toronto, said, “unseemly classroom behavior is a coping strategy for many students, who have to put up with indifferent professors and a pervasive campus culture that casts them in the role of customers rather than learners (Anderson, Rainie).” Even if we choose not to consider the skills and manners students develop in traditional settings. We must look at some of the possible negative outcomes, both mental and physical, of removing students from traditional settings. Such as the feeling of being isolated, or the possible loss of motivation leading to the lack of self-discipline to complete assignments. “Learners sometimes feel lack of support and reassurance in moments when the learning content is more difficult, and they have problems with it (Kiryakova).” This can lead to many students giving up, and ultimately failing due to lack of personal commitment. “Motivation is a basic agent in distance education. Loss of motivation will bring negative results.
Learners should be strongly motivated in order to finish their education. Self-discipline is linked to motivation (Kiryakova).” But the detrimental effects go beyond loss of motivation and the feeling of isolation. There are the real physical health concerns to be considered. When asked about the negatives of digital life during a Pew Research survey. Carolyn Heinrich, a professor of public policy, education and economics at Vanderbilt University wrote, “The consequence for me physically is that I am sitting too much and I have chronic back and neck pain, as well as tendonitis, from repeated motion and leaning into a computer monitor (Anderson, Rainie).” For many students, such as those in rural area, internet connectivity can be an issue.
While the infrastructure of America’s essential utility services are being improved almost daily. Highspeed internet capabilities have not been effectively expanded as an essential utility service yet. “More than 21 million people in America lack advanced broadband internet access (Merrefiled)”. Meaning that many citizens do not have access to a stable highspeed connection in their homes. The 2019 FCC report regarding the effective and timely deployment of broadband services “recognize(s) that the situation is especially problematic in rural areas, where over 24% lack access, and Tribal Lands, where 32% lack access.” For those without broadband connections this is more than a limiting factor. “The main environment for delivering information [in an online format] to students is WWW. This requires fast-speed connection. In cases of synchronous communication slow-speed connection can disturb normal learning process (Kiryakova).” Even with connectivity issues removed, there is the question of which setting students best develop the skills needed to learn. “Critical thinking requires perspective and a certain distance from one’s personal experiences. Schools need to offer a degree of stability and quiet—precisely so that students may grapple with important questions (Senechal).” Many who take online courses do so in settings that are difficult to control, such as their homes or locations that offer free Wifi connectivity.
While being surrounded by daily life it can be nearly impossible to bend your focus to the material being presented. Let alone create an environment that will provide the “degree of stability and quiet” needed to truly comprehend the information. Some proponents of transitioning to mainly online courses will say they offer the same opportunities as a traditional setting. While in many cases this might be true due to technological advances and changes in teaching strategies. It does not consider the differences in learning styles. “Traditional courses often cater more specifically to students with collaborative learning styles, especially auditory and kinesthetic learners. Likewise, traditional learning environments offer opportunities for face-to-face interaction in and out of the classroom. Furthermore, at a brick-and-mortar school, social and academic support may come from peers on campus (Study.com).” For those students who rely on interactions with others to reinforce the material covered. Online educational settings can be one hurdle they may never overcome. While we must admit that there are definitive benefits of providing online learning opportunities. The drawbacks must not be overlooked.
For some students online courses will be the best environment in which to learn, for others it has the potential to be disastrous. Even while many within our governments and educational systems move forward transitioning students to online courses. There needs to be a balance struck between the two, and options available to students. Diana Senechal describes it best when she stated, “Lifting the levels does not mean racing to catch up with a movement’s demands; it means standing back from the race, focusing on what it means to educate in the full sense, and honoring this understanding in all of our work. To make changes thoughtfully—to keep the layers of past and present in everything we do—may be the most daring education reform of all.”
Annotated Bibliography
Anderson, Janna, and Lee Rainie. “Stories From Experts About the Impact of Digital Life.” Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech, Pew Research Center, 3 July 2018, www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/07/03/the-negatives-of-digital-life/.
Article cites non-scientific responses from experts in the fields of technology, scholars, and health specialist shared during a Pew Research survey. Participants were given the prompt, “Please share a brief personal anecdote about how digital life has changed your daily life, your family’s life or your friends’ lives in regard to well-being – some brief observation about life for self, family or friends. Tell us how this observation or anecdote captures how hyperconnected life changes people’s well-being compared to the way life was before digital connectivity existed (Anderson, Rainie). The article does present many more positives than negatives. Even with that said, the negatives are substantial points to take into consideration. Additionally, the numerous positive points related come mostly from those in fields that provide services and/or develop the technologies used. Which would lend to a biased point of view.
Hughes, Seth. “Why Traditional Classroom Learning Is Better Than Online Courses.” Owlcation, HubPages, 24 Mar. 2020, owlcation.com/academia/Why-Traditional-Classroom-Learning-is-Better-than-Online-Courses. Accesed 22 April 2020.
Article argues the benefits of traditional courses over that of online. Citing the lack of developing the various personal and interpersonal skills used while completing traditional courses. Provides graph detailing the competencies that are most desired by companies from graduating students. While this article presented what mostly appeared to be opinion and not proven facts. It did provide excellent examples of non-course related skills that are developed while taking courses in a traditional setting. Author also provided a tie in to post educational world by presenting the “wants” of business leaders.
Kiryakova, G. “Review of Distance Education.” Trakia Journal of Sciences, vol. 7, no. 3, Sept. 2009, pp. 29–34. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=51004860&site=ehost-live. Accessed 22 April 2020.
Gives clear and brief history of the evolution of distance learning and the various medias used in it covering from 1840’s to present, with an emphasis on web-based education. Explains the key differences between the various forms it is presented in. With emphasis on key attributes of instructors and students that must be accessed to successfully utilize the courses to the fullest. Interesting article, in that it covers the evolution of distance learning in its various forms from inception to current. Definitions and ideas are presented methodically and clearly. With little to no room for misinterpretation of meaning. Article includes what could be considered “keys” to successfully using distance learning effectively. Including steps to take while planning the courses.
Merrefield, Clark. “Digital Divide: Rural Broadband in the Time of Coronavirus.” Journalist’s Resource, Harvard’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, 30 Mar. 2020, journalistsresource.org/studies/society/internet/rural-broadbandcoronavirus/. Accessed 16 June 2020
Article that explains the importance of stable broadband internet connection in rural areas, and the hurdles that must be overcome to provide it. Article uses the effects of COVID-19 to bring to light the varying effects lack of connectivity has on rural communities. Interesting article that that provides information and statistics from extremely credible sources to provide evidence of the need for stable broadband connectivity in rural areas. Mainly focuses on the work from home aspect. But also includes education and telehealth concerns for outlying areas.
Senechal, Diana. “The Most Daring Education Reform of All.” American Educator, vol. 34, no. 1, American Federation of Teachers, Spring 2010, pp. 4 -16. ERIC, https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ889140. Accessed 22 April 2020.
Article discusses the reform of curriculum to include “21st-century-skills” suggested by P21 in place of traditional core curriculum and liberal arts. Citing multiple classic and current authors throughout the work to make comparisons and highlight the authors points. Secondary article embedded withing the original article is a comparison of P21 curriculum vs other top ranking international educational curriculum. While the article is not an argument for traditional classroom vs online classroom settings. It is an argument for not dashing headlong into the next fad of education and disregarding the importance of core basic. Which, by the authors views expressed, would cause a brake down in future generations critical thinking skills. The author also argues for other non-curriculum skills and lessons taught when following traditional programs. Although the article is quite long, it does present excellent information that is relevant to the current discussion. While it may be 10 years old, considering the authors qualifications and the other authors cited, there is no doubt about its credibility.
Stack, Steven. “Learning Outcomes in an Online vs Traditional Course.” International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, vol. 9, no. 1, Jan. 2015. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1134653&site=ehost-live. Accessed 20 April 2020.
Compares data presented in multiple previous studies of online vs traditional courses and the conditions causing variations between the findings, and the trend towards online classes. Does not present any clear conclusions but does offer theories as to why there is a tendency towards schools offering online courses. Very dry and factually driven in the comparison of data presented from previous studies. The fashion in which the data is presented can cause a bit of confusion when trying to distinguish between them. All data does seem to lead to the same conclusion, all though it is muddled due to the lack of controls instituted in the studies. Author does not present any clear path to implementing better controls for future studies. The conclusion seems to shift to a different subject rather than demonstrate clear conclusions or offer suggestions on improving the studies.
“What Are the Differences Between Online and Traditional Education?” STUDY.COM, Study.com, 20 June 2019, study.com/articles/What_are_the_Differences_Between_Online_and_Traditional_Education.html. Accessed 16 June 2020
Article provides a comparison of several factors to take into consideration before choosing between online or traditional educational environments. It does not rate one over the other but evaluates them on an equal basis. Although this article is provided by a site that provides online educational services, among others. The presentation of the information in this article does not appear to be biased. Suggesting that the sites main concern is helping prospective students find their best path along the educational journey. The fact that Study.com courses are considered for credit transfer at over 2,000 colleges and universities lends to this site’s credibility. Considering that this site also provides demographic, course, and contact information for schools it is not partnered with also suggest that it is not simply a money-making machine.
“2019 Boadband Deployment Report.” Federal Communications Commission, Federal Communications Commision, 29 May 2019, docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-19-44A1.pdf. Accessed 16 June 2020
Federally mandated annual report concerning the “Inquiry Concerning Deployment of Advanced Telecommunications Capability to All Americans in a Reasonable and Timely Fashion.” Including statement by Commissioners O’Rielly and Carr, and dissenting statements from Commissioners Rosenworcel and Starks. While this report does offer extremely new and accurate information. It is written in “legalese,” making it difficult to understand at many points. The report does include charts to visually demonstrate much of the data presented. But after reading the dissenting comments. The reader can tell that some of the information provided is obviously false and biased in favor of reaching a favorable conclusion.
