Online Classroom vs Offline Classroom

Due to current pandemic of Covid-19 has resulted in closure of universities colleges schools across the country, which has reportedly increased the rise of e- learning.

Students and teachers across the nation are attached to computers and smartphone screens and has entered into the world of e-learning or virtual lectures, tutorials and assessments.

Internet has grown a lot in last 20 years, from almost no existence to largest, most accessible database of information which has been ever created.

It has changed a lot and almost everything such as the communication, shopping, socialising, learning and much more.

What Is online Classroom:

It is a virtual platform in which students are engage with a tutor with his lesson and learning material.

It creates a learning environment for both students and teacher through a medium voice or video conferencing with several participants.

Online classroom is very useful and innovative method of bringing students together in a learning environment tailored for teaching new concepts and ideas.

Online Classroom is electronically supported learning that relies on the internet for the interaction and distribution of class material between teachers and students.

As there is no concrete definition of the online classroom in Layman’s language it means it’s a teaching and learning environment where the several participants communicate, view and discuss many ideas, concepts and study material.

A virtual/online classroom is also called as virtual learning environment (VLE). It is good learning environment which is much more flexible that a traditional/offline classroom.

Advantages of Online class-

Easily Accessible: –

Online classroom only requires an internet connection and a device to attend the class. Online classes are accessible from anywhere with comfort. The online sessions can be recorded and can be used later and can be watched again and again for better understanding.

Trackable Learning: –

With this online learning the performance and learning ability of each student can be tracked easily. With the help of online tools, the data of each student is easily digitally trackable and stored. This same cannot be done in face to face learning or offline classroom.

There are many analytical tools which provide detail reports about every student which helps teacher to create online classroom according to students learning

Creating High Calibre Learning Pathways for Future: –

For future growth of students enhancing the skills is key for development. With the growth of online education era students have opportunities to develop a new skill or enhance their skill while continuing their regular course in college or university.

Its common to see LAW students take additional certificate courses or diplomas according to their interest simultaneously with their college.

Students are adapting online mode of learning environment which make them familiar with the future of work and required competencies.

Improved Attendance

Due to his Covid-19 outbreak educational institution are forced to go up for online education. There is an improvement in attendance of students as there is no need to travel long distance for classes. Students are loving online educational mode.

There are number of advantages on online/virtual classroom but the above four the most important advantages. Now lets also look at disadvantages of offline classroom.

Disadvantages of online classroom

There are not many disadvantages of Online/virtual classroom the only main is that knowledge students get is only theoretically. The face to face learning is somewhat different for some people it’s better experience.

• Most of the online assessments are limited to questions that are only objective in nature.

• There is also the problem of the extent of security of online learning programs.
• The authenticity of a particular student’s work is also a problem as online just about anyone can do a project rather than the actual student itself.
• The assessments that are computer marked generally have a tendency of being only knowledge-based and not necessarily practicality-based.

What is Offline Classroom: –

• It is a physical platform in which students and teachers come to physical place such as institution/school/college.

• It is a learning environment in which The teachers deliver the lecture face to face and students and students with help of learning material gain and develop skills.

• The face to face allows for more participation and active learning.

• With Traditional/offline classroom students can gain an understanding of the subject content and make connections between them in real time. 

• It is a dominant form of education from years and generations.

Advantages of Traditional/offline classrooms

Better understanding: –

while in Offline classroom if student doesn’t understand a concept which is taught inn class he/she can directly go to tutor to understand it again immediately. Questions also provide learning opportunities for the others.

Developing communication Skills: –

While face to face interactions between teachers and student’s communication skill sof students develop which can only be gained in offline classrooms as students ask questions, assessments are taken by teachers so that a confidence is developed in student for future growth.

Discipline and responsibility: –

Traditional/offline learning develop a sense of discipline and responsibility in life, In this classroom the learn how to behave in public and follow the rules and directions of a place.

Teachers take quizzes, projects and other personality development skills, which help students to take personal responsibility to prepare for it and complete it in time.

Social Benefits: –

These benefits are irreplaceable. Going to school going through a chapter in life with large group of people. This is a place where friends and memories are made and they socialize with each other. These social benefits are very important for a person’s overall development.

This overall development enhances the personality of person which lead them down different paths in life, for better or for worse.

Disadvantages of Traditional/Offline Classroom:

• It is not a completely independent form of learning always students are dependent on teachers or other students for getting work done due to which students do not become independent.
• Travel expenses, accommodations and many more expenses which occur at traditional way of learning so it is quite expensive than online classroom.

Government initiatives For Regularising Online Classrooms/ E learning: –

E-learning platforms are the best platforms nowadays for students to continue their studies during this Covid-19 outbreak. During the lockdown and this outbreak in the entire nation, the country is facing major crises in almost every sector.

Educational sector is one of most hit sectors as many semester and exams are cancelled during the final assessments.

Due to these problems HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal advices the student to carry their studies through digital learning platforms.

Government of Karnataka Regulations: –

Several days after the lockdown and this Covid-19 outbreak the government of Karnataka banned with immediate effect online classes from LKG to Class V across all Boards. However, the government gave relaxation for schools are free to conduct classes using pre-recorded videos.

The Following are the reasons for ban classes at Primary Level

Mental Health –

This was the main reason stated by the Government of Karnataka education minister Suresh Kumar was that online classes “might affect the students mental health”.

It was the line stated by National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). The Institute states that virtual classes are not ideal for the students below the age of six years.

Digital Divide –

This was another reason stated by the minister was the digital gap between the haves and have nots. This was the major issue for the people in rural area.

who do not have access to the internet and digital devices Education is for all, everybody has equal right for education

Teacher Preparedness –

The Teachers in most school do not know how to use technology or to integrate technology into teaching, as traditional teaching is different. Preperation of teachers towards modern technology is must.

Madras high court initiatives For Regularising Online Classrooms/ E learning: –

The observation was made in an interim order passed on a public interest (PIL) petitions. The mother of two children had filed petition. She said that government should focus from sexually explicit pop-up messages during online classes.

Representing her, senior counsel S. Prabhakaran said that the existing rules under the Information Technology Act of 2000 did not cover online classes.

Union (Human Resource Development) ministry: –

On 14th July 2020 HRD ministry released guidelines for seamless digital education during the ongoing corona virus pandemic. HRD Ministry released guidelines “Pragyata”, Online Educational guidelines: –

• The ministry has recommended that duration for online classes for pre primary classes should be only 30 minutes.
• For classes 1-8 this cap was recommended for two sessions of up to 45 minutes each and for classes 9-12 four sessions of 30-45 minutes has been recommended.
• These guidelines include eight step of online leaning which include plan, review, arrange, guide, talk, assign, track and appreciate
• These guidelines for school heads and teachers said that assessments, planning’s and steps to implement the digital education with cyber safety and privacy concerts.

Besides all the guidelines the ministry also cautioned against overburdening teachers that schools heads should not engage teachers to be engaged in online classes for upto eight hours.

Rather they should do online activities for two to three hours per day for other skill development of students.

In my opinion online classes may be future of our education: –

• It is flexible option
• It offers different courses
• Online classroom is less expensive (Budget Friendly)
• It Allows for a customized learning experience
• It is easily Accessible

Conclusion: –

Online Education which becomes as a saviour of education department during the Covid-19 outbreak online and offline learning educate people in an effort to help them become more productive in workplace.

While there number of benefits of both the classrooms, but they both will stay and will continue to develop and advance