Online Courses vs. In-Class Courses: Participation & Learning

Introduction

With the incorporation of technology into the classroom, teachers have the choice of many formats in which to impart knowledge to students. Teachers can have students meet in class and use a variety of technologies — such as multimedia, computer labs, and overhead projectors — to aid learning. Teachers can also have students use the Internet to complete hands-on learning modules, research, discussions, and more. Both in-class and online learning are offered at a variety of colleges, though some institutions offer only one specific type of course while others use a combination of both. By examining online and in-class course structures with regard to student participation and quality of learning, one can conclude that online learning has several advantages over traditional classroom learning.

Student Participation in Online vs. In-Class Courses

Most teachers in both online and classroom environments require their students to participate in order to earn credit in a course. Student participation, however, looks very different in the classroom than it does online. In the classroom, participation usually consists of attending class and becoming involved in the activities of that particular class period — for instance, collaborating with others in a group, asking or answering questions during discussion, listening attentively and taking notes during a lecture, and engaging with the material during hands-on activities.

Online courses, however, measure participation in other ways. Posting during modules, chatting with classmates about a topic, submitting work, and completing online workshops and quizzes can all count as participation. In this respect, the online form of participation carries several advantages over the in-class format. For instance, many students may be hesitant to communicate in class because they are shy or worried about what their peers might think. This can lead them to receive poor grades for participation, or to stop participating altogether, even when they are genuinely engaged with the material. Furthermore, simply showing up for class is often counted as participation, even when a student has no real interest in learning the topic.

Online, by contrast, students must actually demonstrate engagement, which forces them to think critically about the material. While it is much easier to feign participation in a classroom setting, doing so is far more difficult online. Online courses also offer a degree of anonymity, which allows students to post what they really think and feel, encouraging more honest and intelligent discussion. Additionally, online classes allow students to participate at any time — 24 hours a day, seven days a week — while physical attendance in a classroom can be challenging for returning adult students or those who work while attending college.

Conclusion

Teachers can now choose from many methods of imparting knowledge to students, given today's rapid technological advances. Two popular forms are online and in-class courses. While in-class learning may be the traditional approach, online classes offer meaningful advantages in both participation and quality of learning — primarily because they promote genuine engagement, provide anonymity, and offer the flexibility that many modern students need.