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Argumentative Essay-Is Online/Remote Learning Better Than In-Person Learning?
It is now almost three years since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, the virus continues disrupting the world. Countries went into lock down to mitigate the spread of the virus, and organizations turned to remote solutions for solutions. Schools moved towards online learning and companies resulted in training employees as well as clients. The pandemic brought about both positive and negative changes in learning. The main question is, ‘Is online learning/remote learning better than in-person learning?’ While some proponents maintain that online learning is better than physical learning, opposers insist that the physical learning model that was common pre-COVID period is more advantageous. This essay argues why online learning, which became more common after the pandemic is better than in-person learning model, which was common before the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic.
Supporting Points
Online Learning is Flexible and Convenient
The first reason why remote learning is better than physical learning has to do with flexibility and convenience. Learners can easily access learning platforms from anywhere as long as they have an internet connection and a phone. This ease of access means that they can log into class while on lunch break, while lying on their couch, or even tying a shoelace. This flexibility enables learners to give their focus full attention and energy to a specific task. This is one of the main advantages of remote learning on the part of the student.
Online Learning Helps People Stay Prepared for the Future.
Another reason why online learning is better than physical learning is that it helps people stay prepared for the future. The unprecedented COVID pandemic taught us that we should stay prepared for unfamiliar problems that are bound to happen in the future. The pandemic taught organizations to stay digitally enabled and ready. According to a recent survey conducted among CEOs found that the pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital technologies that could otherwise have taken several years. The survey also found that majority of the changes would stay for the long haul. When the pandemic started, people started dramatically migrating to online channels for a number of things. The advantages of online learning for numerous individuals, organizations included will continue to endure long after the pandemic has ended. Even organizations that have not made significant strides towards migrating to online learning are being advised not to wait. The reality is that the future of online learning is already here with us. Employees, customers, and members of the general public have tasted it and are now demanding it.
Remote Learning is Cost-effective
The third reason online learning is better than physical learning has to do with cost-effectiveness. Carrying out physical training programs can be a cumbersome and expensive affair. Instead of attending a lecture or seminar physically, people would rather take the session online. Remote learning is advantageous as it does not require a person to travel across distances to attend a lecture, making it convenient and affordable. Cost-effectiveness tends to be long-term due to the low delivery costs. Students do not have to endure additional costs that come with attending classes physically, such as lunch budget and transportation or fuel money (Sadeghi, 80). Additionally, students do not need to incur the costs of printing learning materials as everything they need is available online. Most importantly, learners do not have to exercise social distancing when learning online. For instance, Dow Chemical saved up to $34 million from conducting online training sessions during the COVID period. The institution managed to cut down training costs per learner from $95 to $11 by simply shifting to e-learning from physical classrooms. Looking at the pros and cons of remote learning, cost-effectiveness is a clear pro.
Online Learning Yields Increased Productivity.
Another pro of remote learning is that it helps keep individuals productive in comparison to conventional in-person learning. For instance, a study carried out by IBM depicted that each dollar directed towards online training leads to $30 in terms of productivity. This is the case mainly because employees tend to continue work more quickly and put their skills to use immediately (Bozkurt, 252). Once a person gets acquitted to using and maneuvering an online platform, they take more control of the learning process. They can set a pace in their learning which assists them in taking retaining more knowledge rather compared to the traditional model of learning. This can be proven by a study by the Research Institute of America that concluded that online learning boosts the rate of retention from 25% to 60%. Notably, the retention rates of in-person training are relatively low; 8% to 10%. Additionally, this is the case as people have more control of their learning process.
Opposing Arguments
Online Learning is Derailed by Connectivity or Technology Issues.
One of the common disadvantages that affect online learning is connectivity issues. While reliable and secure internet is available in most parts of the world, reliable connections is still a problem in rural areas. Inconsistent internet connection causes interruptions and delays in the focus and attention and the learner (Jones and Ravi, 16). There is no denying that this is a key downside of online learning, however, with necessary action, these issues can be resolved. There is no denying that the internet has made remote education and training more accessible. The good, in this case, outweighs the bad which is what matters. Individuals living in remote locations can now access training resources more easily. Mobile technology makes it possible for people to access learning as long as they have phone service and wi-fi or internet connection.
Online learning Leads to Isolation
Another reason why online learning is better than in-person learning has to do with isolation. Taking classes online is detrimental to mental health. Most individual learns better when in interactive environments, and while online learning gives people a chance to absorb knowledge, they through a screen, it also invites isolation (Irwan, Dwisona, and Mardi, 53). While there is no denying that this is a con that comes from online learning, it can be resolved through emails, online messages, and video conferencing, virtual whiteboarding, or user forums. Incorporating such features in remote learning can boost isolation and reduce isolation.
In closing, I selected this topic on how learning and work was affected post-COVID as I am curious to know whether which learning model is better than the other. Coming into this discussion, I did not know much about the nitty-gritty of how student and work life was affected post-COVID-19. Some assumptions I made were that the online-learning model would only be a temporary solution and that, eventually, organizations would revert to their conventional learning model. However, upon conducting research, I have quickly learned that things would never be the same again. Remote learning is here to stay because people have tasted it and are now demanding more. My perspective has changed a lot, and now I realize that the pandemic accelerated changes that were not meant to happened until a few years.
Works Cited
Bozkurt, Aras. “From distance education to open and distance learning: A holistic evaluation of history, definitions, and theories.” Handbook of Research on Learning in the Age of Transhumanism. IGI Global, 2019. 252-273.
Irawan, Andi Wahyu, Dwisona Dwisona, and Mardi Lestari. “Psychological impacts of students on online learning during the pandemic COVID-19.” KONSELI: Jurnal Bimbingan dan Konseling (E-Journal) 7.1 (2020): 53-60.
Jones, Kevin, and Ravi Sharma. “On reimagining a future for online learning in the post-COVID era.” Kevin Jones & Ravi Sharma (2020). Reimagining A Future For Online Learning In The Post-COVID Era. First posted on medium. com (2020).
Sadeghi, Manijeh. “A shift from classroom to distance learning: Advantages and limitations.” International Journal of Research in English Education 4.1 (2019): 80-88.
