Nowadays, most institutions are adopting online education because of the current global pandemic.
In fact, kids are studying from home through online teaching.
Although an online training program offers many benefits over traditional, it has many limitations.
In today’s blog, I will discuss online and traditional forms of education along with their pros and cons.
Let’s get started.
Online vs Traditional Education
Until a few years back, online education was not common. In fact, for my PMP training, I was looking for an online education provider but could not find one and finally settled for traditional education.
And now, I am offering online training programs.
Apart from online, you will find many more education methods, such as:
- Traditional Education
- Live Virtual Education
- Hybrid Education
However, online and traditional instruction are the most popular. Anyway, in this post, I will explain all education methods, emphasizing online versus traditional education.
#1. Online PMP Training Programs
These are easy to join; you only need a PC with an internet connection. After payment, you will get immediate access to the program. Once you complete your training, you can download your certificate.
Most universities and academics have started offering courses online. Many of them let you study either online or offline, so the choice is yours.
Here the course material is uploaded on the servers, and you can access it from any device.
Advantages of Online Education
Online education offers the following benefits over other education methods:
- Affordability
- Flexibility
- Availability
- Capacity
Affordability
Online education is the cheapest. You can start an online course for 10 USD on Udemy and acquire new skills. It was not possible to learn new skills at a cheap rate through traditional teaching.
Other training programs, such as traditional, hybrid, and live virtual education programs, are costlier than online education.
Flexibility
Online education offers flexibility. Access to the course material will be from months to a lifetime. You can complete the training at your own pace.
Other education modes have a fixed schedule. Completing the course in a few sittings can be exhausting.
Availability
Online education has no location restrictions; you can attend from anywhere.
For other types of education, you can visit their center. If it is nearby, you can attend easily. Otherwise, you will need to make travel arrangements.
Capacity
Online programs have no seating limitations.
Other training programs do. If you don’t join at the right time, you will have to wait until the next scheduled program.
Drawbacks of Online Education
Online education lacks interaction. You watch recordings, read notes, and understand the concepts independently.
The other drawback is the slow response time to your queries. You post your questions on forums, and getting a response takes time. These days, online support is fast, and they reply within a few minutes to hours, but it’s still not as quick as in live classes where you get an immediate response.
#2. Traditional Education
In traditional education, you sit in a class for six to eight hours for three to five days, sometimes even more.
This is the oldest and the most popular teaching method.
Advantages of Traditional Education
Traditional education offers you many benefits.
The most important thing is interactivity. Sessions are interactive in a classroom training program.
This helps you understand the concepts better. Many studies have shown that interactive sessions are the best teaching method.
In a classroom setting, you can clear up your doubts instantly.
You will meet cross-functional professionals who will help you understand processes in different industries and expand your network.
You can complete your course quickly, usually in three to five days. An online program may take several days to months, and you may lose interest.
Drawbacks of Traditional Education
The first drawback is the high price: traditional classroom education is the most expensive.
Traditional education programs are conducted in big cities on a fixed schedule. If the course center is not nearby, traveling will be required.
Seats are limited, so you may have to wait for the next date if you are late applying for the program.
#3. Live Virtual Training Programs
This education method program is relatively new and is gaining popularity due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Academics, schools, and universities have adopted this teaching method. Here, the teacher presents the concepts live through a webcam, and students must simultaneously attend the course from home using a computer.
Interaction occurs live, and students can raise questions during the class.
You participate in the sessions in real-time through a webcam and microphone. You can clear up your doubts at the same time.
Advantages of Live Virtual Training Programs
You can get access to industry experts from any place in the world.
Drawbacks of Live Virtual Training Programs
If you don’t live in the same geographic location, the time difference may pose a problem for you.
You must have a high-speed, uninterrupted internet connection if you want to enjoy the program. A poor internet connection may pose a problem.
These programs are costly; they are similar to a traditional program.
#4. Hybrid Education
This education method has features of online training, classroom training, and virtual training.
Here, the course provider may deliver the study materials by mail. You must study them and then submit assignments through mail/email. Sometimes, you may have a few online, face-to-face sessions to ask questions.
Advantages of Hybrid Training Programs
If online and traditional education methods are not possible, you can go for the hybrid training program.
Drawbacks of Hybrid Training Programs
Different geographic locations may cause trouble for face-to-face sessions.
Additionally, a poor internet connection may pose a problem for you during the live online sessions.
Other problems include the deliverability of materials, communication gaps, lack of interactivity, etc.
Factors for Considering an Online or Traditional Education
Here, I will point out some factors to help you decide the best education method for you.
#1. Affordability
This is the most important factor for any decision. Online education is less expensive than any other form of education.
If you are looking for an affordable course, online education is a good choice.
#2. Flexibility
Flexibility is another key benefit of online education. You can join online courses from any location and complete the course as you wish. Even if the schedule is fixed, you can arrange your study times with no hassle.
For traditional education, you must attend the class physically, and you may need to travel to the location and make accommodation arrangements.
#3. Self-Discipline
This is the most important benefit of traditional education.
Online education has no discipline, and many students don’t even complete the course. This is not the case with traditional education. Here you have to attend the classes and complete the course.
Traditional education provides discipline and actively encourages students to complete the course.
You have to motivate yourself in online education and complete the course alone.
#4. Interactivity
This is another key benefit of traditional education.
Most online courses are boring and provide no interactivity. In comparison, traditional education is interactive and involves active learning. You take part in discussions, listen to others’ opinions, and get a chance to meet experts in your industry.
All these are not possible with online education.
Live online classes offer some interactivity, but they cannot match the interaction offered by traditional teaching.
Online vs Traditional Education: Which Method is the Best?
You should choose a program that is best suited to your needs.
If cost is not an issue and you can spare a few days, you can join a traditional training program. Always ensure that the trainer is worthy of this effort.
Don’t choose a professional trainer whose only job is to train for various courses. Ensure they are experienced in the subject matter.
However, if you are looking for an affordable and flexible education program, join one online.
I have outlined all education methods and their pros and cons, and I hope you can make an informed decision.
Summary
Both forms of education have pros and cons. Traditional education is costly, while online education is popular for its flexibility, comfort, and price tag. Online and traditional education are more popular, but live virtual training programs are gaining attention these days. You can choose the education method that fulfills your goals with the least hassle and most affordably.
What are your thoughts on online vs traditional education? Please share them through the comments section.