Due to the rise in revolutionary technology, life is getting more interconnected,
blurring the link between the personal and professional with an increase in several industries
and companies digitally changing their operations. The education sector has not been left
behind as it is also shifting slowly into virtual learning, which has brought a unique set of
benefits. As Covid19 hit the world, the necessity for online-based learning increased, and
since then, there has been a sparking level of debate between the two modes of learning.
Both e-learning and classroom mode of learning have their unique features, and they suit
particular requirements in terms of physical interaction, access to learning materials, and
flexibility in learning.
PHYSICAL INTERACTION
Classroom learning involves learners sitting in a room and interacting one on one. The face-
to-face interaction creates a physical environment amongst the students, instructors, and
other colleagues. It creates a dynamic learning forum. Learners proactively engage in asking
a stream of relevant questions and getting them solved amongst themselves due to the flow
of communication from one to the other (Sadeghi 85). On the other hand, the online mode of
learning involves a student using a digital gadget and a web connection that links two or
more people. The student and the instructor interact and learn virtually.
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ACCESS to LEARNING MATERIALS
With e-learning, students can find learning modules, lecture notes, assignments, recorded
sessions, and podcasts at any given time. For higher learners like postgraduate students,
tutors are virtually available to help resolve questions through webinars, emails, and skype
calls. Conversely, in classroom learning, students have to be present in the physical location
to have a real-time interaction with their instructors at assigned hours which is quite
challenging especially for working professionals (Li & Tsai 291).
FLEXIBILITY in LEARNING
Unlike traditional learning which is relatively inflexible as students have to appear physically
at the allocated places at assigned hours, e-learning is much more flexible and agile. In
eLearning, course materials can be easily accessed from anywhere at any time regardless of
learner's status, the difference in time zones, or the student's location. For instance, a stay-at-
home mom to a committed working professional can study virtually at any time before
getting back to their respective jobs and still be able to graduate at their own pace (Singh
&Thurman 300).
CONCLUSION
While there are still a good number of people that have a preference for classroom learning,
others appreciate eLearning due to the flexibility and suitability it offers.
Both aspects of learning modes are vital as they suit different requirements ranging from
physical interaction, accessibility to learning materials, and flexibility in learning.
Institutions can adapt the blended version of learning by including both the classroom and
online versions to create learning dynamic as they are all important.
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Works Cited
Li, Liang-Yi, and Chin-Chung Tsai. "Accessing online learning material: Quantitative
behavior patterns and their effects on motivation and learning
performance." Computers & Education 114 (2017): 286-297.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2017.07.007
Sadeghi, Manijeh. "A shift from classroom to distance learning: advantages and
limitations." International Journal of Research in English Education 4.1 (2019): 80-
88. http://ijreeonline.com/article-1-132-en.html
Singh, Vandana, and Alexander Thurman. "How many ways can we define online learning?
A systematic literature review of definitions of online learning (1988-
2018)." American Journal of Distance Education 33.4 (2019): 289-306.
https://doi.org/10.1080/08923647.2019.1663082