Distance Education Versus Face-to-Face Learning Essay

December 1 , 2009 Persuasive Essay mettle approximately Theories Has Virtual Reality Taken Things Too Far? remoteness pedagogics versus Face-to-Face Learning In Clive Thompsons Game Theories, the author illustrates how realistic worlds, such as Everquest and Second Life, have surprisingly become such(prenominal) like the real world. Everquest is an online practical(prenominal) reality video game that allows individuals to farm fictional characters to generate goods as they play, often by killing creatures for their consider and trading it (Thompson 332).This has created an economy-like setting in he game tho has in conclusion evolved to leak into the real world economy by exchanging real notes for the purchase of virtual characters and their winnings. Thompsons obligate shows how the line between virtual reality and real world reality often becomes blurry, encouraging deal to consider ways whither virtual technology tidy sum enhance and maybe replace the current syste ms already in place. However, not everything d peerless by dint of computers and virtual technology be as efficient as one thinks. Some terms, the traditional way of doing things ar perfectly fine and more effective Just the way they are.Distance education, in particular, is a phenomenon that has been a ontogenesis popular alternative to traditional face-to-face education. I am here to argue that study behind a computer at mansion cannot effectively replace the traditional face- to-face education offered at colleges and universities. Difficulty in self-directed learning and instructional misunderstandings can occur in any(prenominal) online personal line of credit, a lack of a set schedule allows for distractions and procrastination, non-existent interaction inhibits offshoot and learning, and the probability of slicker is greater among online tudents versus campus pupils.Although in that respect are many an(prenominal) commonwealth who favor the online-learning alter native, this paper impart challenge their confidence and counter- arguments on the issue. Distance education can be quite difficult. There are some(prenominal) courses that have concepts that can be quite tricky and complicated to understand, curiously if one is learning on their sustain using a textbook. Shelia Tucker, an aid professor at East Carolina University, stated that students learn far excessively little when the teachers personal presence is not purchasable because the student has far more to learn from he teacher than texts (par. 2).For example, an account statement teacher can easily explain the advanced calculation of wages per share and diluted earnings per share through the use of their own methods and organizational charts. Learning the same topic but reading texts from a course book can be quite challenging without a teacher to provide tips and tricks for remembering the formulas. As I am an report student aspiring to be a CGA, I am enormously afraid of entering their factors influencing completion and non-completion of community college online ourses, students indicated that online learning did not adequate their learning style preference.Comments were received from students that they could not get a result from their instructor, the materials were not available, and the course was confusing (Aragon & Johnson 155). Because of the difficulty experienced in online courses, some community colleges are reporting drop-out rates 20% higher than in face-to- face classrooms (Aragon & Johnson 146). Another drawback of online learning is the lack of a set schedule. Without a fixed timetable, the opportunity for distractions and procrastination often presents itself. These online courses require motivation and forgetpower to eject the courses and programs in a timely manner.This will be oddly hard for those who tend to procrastinate and need the extra push from teachers to complete the work or require constant reminders of assignment d ue dates and query dates. Because the online courses are quite flexible, these courses can often be put on the backburner, because the students are aware that some of these courses are self-paced. One major drop of blank education is non-existent interaction that results from learning and working behind a computer. Communication with the teacher is limited to text correspondences and all the same replies to the emails may be delayed.Comparing this scenario to a classroom course, questions are answered and uncertainties are clarified at present after the teacher is asked. There is no personal attention given over to students and these learners are expected to find their own resources for completing assignments. Not hardly if is interaction limited with teachers, but interaction with other students is limited as well. Randy S. Hanson, Ph. D. , made a point that the only interaction with classmates are through email, chat ooms and discussion boards. Parties and offline get-toge thers were rarely experienced among online students (par. 17).In her article about the controversy of length education, Roda Joanna Abaya asserts that students do not learn only on formal and educational conversations. As social beings, it is important that they likewise interact with others and have informal talks or converse with spark topics (par. 8). Another concern that Abaya has about distance education is the lack of hands-on reproduction in online courses (par. 7). Interaction with wad and objects are vital in the earning process and because of these missing components in online courses, the effectiveness of education falls suddenly when compared to the traditional face-to-face classes.According to an article about academic money plant in online courses, some claim that because students and faculty do not interact directly in such classes, online classes will invite more deception than traditional classes (GriJalva, Therese C. et al. par. 2). This is certainly true in that distance education is being carried out at home, away from teacher supervision. Anne Mullens exclaims that cheating appears to be ncreasing at universities, especially at the larger campuses and impersonal classes (23). In an examination of cheating in both traditional and online criminal justice and legal studies courses, Lanier (2006) put in the behavior to be more common in online courses (Dobbs, Rhonda R. et al 13). Who knows how many students cheat during an online exam, having their books open in front of them while actual student writing the exam? Cheating is unethical and universally wrong but there are many students who cannot befriend themselves from getting all the help they can get to score the good grades. There are some(prenominal) counter arguments that can be raised against the thesis of this paper.After googling and researching the pros of distance education, the recurring and most significant point was the flexibility of online courses. There are no set class times and it is the students circumspection when to complete the assignments and readings so those with busy schedules are able to accommodate education. Stephen Downes states that there is more work in the distance ed version only when because it tries to make up for the lack of any class contact (par. 1). I have heard students and riends complain about the amount of work mandatory for the online LIBS 7001 course at BCIT, where as the in-class version compares much favorably.With the course loading being heavy for online courses, the flexibility to dedicate time to other priorities is hindered with the stock of work to be done for distance education. Some argue that online learning benefits those who requires more time, are language challenged, or are introverted. But on the contrary, it hinders rather than allows growth and learning. Those who require more time will forever have that excuse to fall back on. Next thing they know, a year has passed since having started t he course.The things learned at the beginning of the on-line class will have been forgotten and time would have been wasted. Those who are foreign students that cope with the language barrier would benefit much more with an available teacher who is able to give them personal attention and needed help. To leave them on their own, trying to understand the course concepts from a textbook or a set of written notes can leave them overwhelmed and confused. Even those who are uncertain do not gain any benefit for enrolling in online courses. In fact, it is more of a detriment to their development and knowledge.Attending campuses and universities allows students to interact with classmates, and even encourages group projects to develop team buildings skills for individuals. At BCIT, students are often involve to do presentations in front of the class and even in delivery halls. This is because the real world will often put people in similar situations and the training for that is attain ed easily when attending school on campus. This will in addition develop individuals interpersonal skills, and will help them get the hang any shyness they may have. Another counter argument that can be raised is that costs are reduced when taking distance education.Not only are travel costs and commuting time decreased, but the necessary housing costs and meal plans are also saved if one is required to move to campus for attending university. However, the cost of training teachers, the cost of hardware and software, human resources such as technicians and other people involved are to be considered, we can say that establishing online education is not as cheap as it may seem for others (Abaya par. 6). These costs will certainly rickle down to the students, eventually having them pay through the increasing course fees.