The covid-19 pandemic resulted in empty schools and colleges, leading to a new teaching model and several new courses. One of the courses which saw a boom during the Covid times is digital marketing courses.

Digital marketing has become a must-have skill that companies are looking for. And it’s no surprise, as the market progresses, the shift to online business is making it necessary for companies to master digital marketing. The ones who won’t master this new skill will be left behind, especially during times like the coronavirus pandemic.

Over 1.2 billion children are out of the classroom worldwide during this phase. As a result, the delivery mode of education changed dramatically with the rise of online learning. However, it also raised a thought: classroom vs. online learning. Which is better?

Millions of people have become accustomed to the new transformation but still are confused about which is better, between classroom vs. online learning.

However, with the sudden shift from the physical classroom, many of us are left confused about whether online learning will continue post-pandemic and how this shift will affect the physical classroom education system.

Here, we will compare the two modes of teaching: e-learning vs. classroom learning. Also, we will discuss some advantages and disadvantages of each teaching method.

Differences Between Classroom vs. Online Learning

What is a virtual or online Classroom?

An online classroom is an online learning experience that lets students learn, and teachers connect online. This teaching model uses online whiteboards, screen sharing, and video conferencing to conduct live classes and discussions with students.

In addition, online classrooms repeat the same experience as physical classrooms but with a few added benefits like instant feedback, file sharing, and communication. But, again, these are perfect for distance learning.

In a virtual classroom, lessons are created depending on a student’s needs, and instructors can help the students whenever required and even track which section is difficult for a student.

Furthermore, online classrooms are cloud-based learning solutions conducted digitally. Therefore, they are customizable and accessible to all the users on different devices like laptops, desktops, smartphones, etc.

What is a Physical Classroom?

A physical classroom creates a face-to-face learning environment for teachers and students. In this mode of teaching, everyone can interact with each other. A physical classroom includes a board, projectors, class monitors, and teachers.

The elements present in a physical classroom bring concentration and positivity to students. In a physical classroom, students are less likely to get distracted.

It is so because an academic environment surrounds them.  As you are clear about online and physical classrooms, let us compare classroom vs. online learning.

Classroom vs. Online Learning- The Major Differences

Recent studies suggest that virtual learning has increased the ability to maintain information and spend less time, hinting that the transformations resulting from coronavirus might stay longer. Here are a few differences between e-learning vs. classroom learning.

An online classroom can ensure plenty of benefits a physical classroom offers, like learning materials, live classes, self-learning courses, tests, web forums, etc. Still, all of these are delivered online through the internet.

Therefore, though this may seem optimistic, some students do not have online access. For them, accessing a course online is a problem.

Good internet connectivity plays a significant role in a virtual class, and we know there are still areas where the internet connection is low. Therefore, it affects students’ learning process in such areas.

Also, as there is a space restriction in an online classroom, the communication between teachers and students is comparatively less than in a physical classroom.

In a physical classroom, a teacher has enough area to move around to observe each student.

Classroom vs. Online Learning: Time Management

Time management plays a significant role in the classroom and online learning. Online learning is more flexible.

In addition, as one can attend virtual classes anywhere and anytime, students don’t have to travel.

At the same time, the physical classroom method involves in-person teaching and hands-on training from a professional, which is also necessary for specific situations.

Classroom vs. online learning: Interaction between students and teacher

Another significant difference between classroom vs. online learning is the mode of interaction. In classroom learning, students can interact face-to-face with their teacher.

In a physical classroom, students can ask questions and get the correct answers. It offers a dynamic learning experience. They even get a chance to share their experiences.

On the contrary, this type of interaction in online learning is missing, but interaction is possible through chats, emails, webinars, and forums.

What is missing in online learning is any practical experience, like illustrations or activities, which are calculated and practiced in real time.

When attending classes online, you will receive an environment where you can discuss things. However, you will get very few chances to interact with your friends.

Therefore, if you have a question, it is more of a self-learning kind. You must find the answer or ask your teacher through chat or email.

Classroom vs. online learning: Which is more flexible?

Another significant difference between classroom vs. online learning is that online learning offers flexibility to students worldwide.

Moreover, online education seems organized with small parts that are easy to learn and manage even on a busy schedule.

Learners can learn quickly and appear for tests at their selected time in online learning.

Students do not need to stay in a class. If students cannot understand a particular lesson in online education, they can review the course material plenty of times by replaying the video recording.

Whereas a traditional classroom has fixed timings, teachers must manage many students simultaneously.

Difference Between Classroom vs. Online Learning in Terms of Instruction Mode

Let us discuss another exciting feature of classroom vs. online learning.

In the classroom learning process, a teacher delivers the lecture verbally or through PowerPoint presentations. On the contrary, a teacher uses teaching tools like videos, presentations, graphs, and visuals in online learning.

The physical classroom needs a physical presence of a student or teacher, but an online class demands a teacher to be tech-savvy.

Classroom vs. online learning has another important aspect related to monitoring students’ progress closely. Manual tracking is standard in a physical classroom, and teachers verbally instruct.

On the contrary, online learning is through the Learning Management System (LMS).

Though monitoring the student in a virtual environment is challenging, they can attend lectures while playing games, listening to music, etc.

These things won’t happen in a physical classroom as both teacher and student are present.

Advantages of a Physical Classroom

Before jumping to any conclusion, it is worth noting that physical classes have various benefits not found in online classrooms.

Relationship between teacher and student- Students develop a close relationship with their teacher in a physical classroom.

A classroom setup allows students to receive input from their teachers, whether from their tone of voice, facial expression, movement, or body language, and lessons taught on the whiteboard and chalkboard.

Exchanges- Too many students are present in a physical classroom.

It is one of the most significant advantages of a physical classroom.

Students can exchange ideas, clear each other’s doubts, build relationships with other students, and network with teachers.

Less distraction- There won’t be any distractions in a physical classroom, unlike at home, like kids, calls, television, and different noises.

Challenges of a Physical Classroom

Though all of us are used to a physical classroom setting and thus find it largely agreeable, it does have some challenges that we are going to discuss now:

A fixed schedule- A fixed schedule for a class can also be an issue if you have a static work routine. Canceling the training or class- mainly if you are not the only student- can make completing the training problematic.

Time and cost- If the training occurs at a distance from the workplace, one must travel from one place to another. Therefore, it includes travel time, expenses, meals, tolls, etc.

Speed- Some students do not relate to a fixed learning schedule or a class environment and function better in a self-paced training or course.

Advantages of Online Classroom

The online classroom offers plenty of advantages. These are:

Flexibility- While classroom learning can require the student to commute, bear extra expenses, and even disturb the person’s working schedule, online learning does not demand students to do so.

Indeed, a significant part of eLearning course materials does not need interaction between a teacher and a student. Instead, students can take lessons wherever and whenever they want- through smartphones, desktops, laptops, or offline.

Distance- Is it possible to take training from outside the country? Yes, it is with online learning. Online classes let multinational companies train their employees across borders.

In addition, it is easy to teach students no matter in which part of the world a student is. Students can even create online study groups to study with their peers.

Different multimedia options- Though in a physical classroom setting, multimedia options like videos and PowerPoint presentations are standard- the multimedia options in online learning are vast, with quizzes, videos, screencasts, and plenty of functionalities that come with online courses.

Courses- Besides the online classroom sessions, eLearning courses can improve students’ understanding of the class material. Various educational goals, like tutorials and certifications, can be attained in the corporate sector with a standalone course.

The chances for professional development are endless. Consider that after designing a course, it is available at the click of a button-forever. Then, one needs to update the course material according to current industry trends, and yes, it is ready again.

Online quizzes- Compared to the pen-and-paper mode, online quizzes are more attractive. For instance, with an examination that uses the branching procedure, choices made in a military or medical Quiz can have life-or-death consequences in an online-safe environment.

Testing the results- Manual checking of answers was a common thing. However, in the virtual world, quizzes and their solutions can be automatically sent to the teacher in a report, helping them track things.

Management of study materials- Students have to submit assignments online, and a student can email questions to the teacher. Also, students can get the study materials before the class starts, which lets them read and understand things at their own pace.

A Learning Management System (LMS) is valid for this purpose, as a teacher can not just handle the distribution of materials but can also track which materials were accessed by which students and even find out if they understood the lesson (with the help of Quiz).

Challenges of an Online Classroom

Those who assume that virtual is a boon might not be correct. Why? Because online learning also has a few drawbacks. Let’s see what those are:

No fixed routine- Students can attend classes whenever and wherever they want with greater flexibility, which can lead to delays.

We all agree that any environment away from a class can have many distractions. Therefore, one needs to create and follow a consistent study schedule in online learning.

Those who are organized will not have any problem with online learning, but those who are not will struggle.

No scope of socializing- You can interact with your peers and build a strong bond with them in a physical classroom. On the other hand, in online classes, the scope of socializing is less as you get the chance to meet and communicate with your peers online.

Tech issues- Though the discovery of the internet was long back, not everybody is tech-savvy. Therefore, it can lead to frustration and loss of time while dealing with tech issues.

In addition, many cannot handle virtual classroom techs requirements, like a reliable internet connection and a fast processor. So, it will be a waste of time and energy for them.

Conclusion

It isn’t easy to choose between classroom vs. online learning. So, what’s the conclusion?

Is a physical classroom better than a virtual classroom? We cannot conclude that anyone is better as both are distinct. However, nowadays, both are relevant.

The solution? A mixture of both is effective.

You may ask, Is it the perfect solution? Well, we would say it is a “perspective solution.” We must follow both approaches, and students should use both to let them reap maximum benefits from each.