With technology getting better all the time, the way we live our lives is changing rapidly. From work meetings and social gatherings to pop concerts and sports, it seems everything is becoming digitalised – even more so as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the biggest changes the world has seen recently is the rise in online learning – which has come a long way since it was introduced in the 1980s. Traditionally, online learning consisted of learners just watching videos online rather than attending lectures or seminars in person. However, these days, the videos are accompanied by a range of other tools and techniques too.
In this article, we’ll address the debate surrounding online learning versus classroom learning, and explain how you can get just as much, if not more, from studying remotely instead of showing up physically at a lecture hall.
Is online learning better than classroom learning?
Online learning is increasingly considered to be better than classroom learning because it’s more convenient and consistent, you can take a more personalised approach to your studies and you receive more support.
Some of the other benefits of online learning are that it’s cheaper, it can be more motivating, new technologies make studying easier and there are more ways to interact with fellow students and course leaders.
Continue reading to learn more about the advantages of enrolling on an online course and how online learning works.
How does online learning work?
As previously mentioned, online learning has gone from being solely video-based to incorporating other learning techniques, which aim to ensure that students are getting the best education possible.
Online courses now feature interactive challenges and use AI and algorithms to follow an individual learner’s journey. BARBRI, for example, uses the Intuitive Study Assistant and Coach (ISAAC) algorithm, which has been developed to maximise the effectiveness of lessons, improve learning performance and students’ retention without increasing their workload or compromising on their well-being. ISAAC combines AI with real life intelligence to produce programmes uniquely tailored to each individual. It monitors which topics a learner is mastering and which topics are more of a struggle and adjusts the learning path to boost strengths and remedy weaknesses.
What are the benefits of online learning?
It’s more convenient
One of the biggest benefits of online learning versus classroom learning is that it’s more convenient – for many reasons.
Firstly, you have more flexibility, so you can fit your studies around your life. This is especially beneficial for stay-at-home parents who would otherwise be worrying about arranging childcare and busy professionals who need to study outside of work hours.
Another good thing about working and studying from home is that you save time because you don’t have to travel anywhere. It also means you can enrol on any course, anywhere in the world, so you have much more choice.
You can take a more personalised approach
With classroom learning, the course leader sets the pace, so all students have to study at the same rate – which is often fast because the lecture or seminar has to be over within a set time period.
But with online learning, you can set the pace yourself, stopping and starting whenever suits you. Even if your online course recommends a certain amount of study each week, you can choose to progress more quickly if you want to.
You also have the added bonus of replaying material to make sure you fully understand everything or find the answers to any questions you might have. This is especially useful for students who would be self-conscious about asking a question in a classroom environment.
It’s more consistent
Different teachers have different teaching styles, and while classroom learning relies on the course leader’s ability to communicate the information effectively, the course design and implementation of online learning are always exactly the same. This gives students the confidence that they’re being taught the right content at the right time.
It can be more motivating
Because you have to put more effort into online learning, you’re likely to be more committed to your studies. You have to direct your learning yourself, which means you’re investing more, giving you a better chance of achieving good results. Interacting with other students can also motivate you, in the same way that it would with traditional learning.
Technology can help you learn better
Rather than being reactive to circumstances like lockdowns due to a global pandemic, the best online courses are designed specifically for e-learning.
Innovation and technology have always been an integral part of BARBRI’s DNA, so our programmes already have a head start in terms of investment in technology.
We have an enormous wealth of technological infrastructure, data, and learning science from preparing students for national licensing exams, such as the US bar and Qualified Lawyer Transfer Scheme.
Although the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) programmes haven’t been running for long, we also have the data we are already acquiring from them. And as the SQE transitions to become the sole route to qualification, BARBRI will put an even greater emphasis on data from technology and how that can drive enhancement in course design and student experience.
We’re already using technology to merge data and learning and we’re analysing multiple data points from our learning platform to drive and refine improvements towards the goal of a personalised learning experience.
Using more than 50 years of experience and data from our technology, we’re able to effectively balance sequence, time, efficacy and prior knowledge in our course design.
You have more support
In a traditional classroom, you don’t get as much support as you do when learning online. One-on-one time with your tutor is limited – or even non-existent – in a classroom setting, whereas a well-designed online course ensures students have plenty of support. This can come in various forms, from chatrooms and forums where you can discuss your issues with other students to direct contact with tutors over email, instant messaging or video-calling.
There are more ways to interact
While it’s true that classroom learning provides face-to-face interaction, with students being able to participate in class in real-time, online learning allows pupils to interact via email, forums, video calls, webinars and instant messaging platforms.
Communication apps, like Slack or Microsoft Teams, allow students to discuss topics in-depth with a much wider community, and ideas and files can be shared instantly. They also enable shyer students to participate more confidently than they would be able to do in person.
It’s cheaper
Compared to classroom learning, online learning is much more cost-effective. As already mentioned, studying online doesn’t require you to travel anywhere, so you save money on transport costs. You’ll also be avoiding tuition and library fees, as well as saving money on childcare costs if you’re a parent.
Summary
Online learning is becoming increasingly popular – even more so as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which left classrooms and lecture halls empty due to multiple lockdowns.
In the past, the online learning versus classroom learning debate may have leaned more towards traditional learning methods. However, online courses are now built from the ground up, incorporating AI and other technology to ensure students benefit from the best education possible.
BARBRI courses use the Intuitive Study Assistant and Coach (ISAAC) algorithm, which combines AI with real life intelligence to produce programmes uniquely tailored to each individual. It’s been developed to maximise effectiveness, performance and retention without increasing workloads or compromising on well-being.
Probably the biggest advantage of online learning is that it’s more convenient. You can fit your studies around your life, and save time because you don’t have to travel anywhere. Because of this, you can choose to enrol on a course anywhere in the world, instead of being limited to what’s being taught locally.
You can also tailor your studies to suit you by working at your own pace and replaying material if you need to, which you wouldn’t be able to do in a traditional lecture hall.
Online course content is more consistent, so you can rest assured you’re being taught the right material at the right time.
Support and interaction come in multiple forms, from chatting to other students on forums to contacting tutors directly via instant messaging.
When studying remotely, you have to direct your learning yourself, which means you’re likely to be more committed to your studies and you have a better chance of achieving good results.
Finally, online learning is usually cheaper than classroom learning, as you save money on transport costs and tuition fees.