Differences Between Online and in-Classroom Teaching

 

 

The use of online courses among high school students has rapidly grown in recent decades. Online classes are typically a mix of lessons taught on the internet, traditional classroom learning and personal interactions between students. However, many online classes, especially those serving high school students, actually have a much more traditional format than in-person class. In fact, online teachers often have access to the same tools and materials that they would use in a traditional classroom.

 

Online teachers also often interact with their students in a virtual fashion, either via emails or via instant messaging programs like Yahoo Messenger. While these types of "virtual teaching" techniques are commonplace among schools today, they are not at all limited to them.

 

There are two basic ways that online courses can differ from a classroom setting. First of all, it may be possible for teachers to work more effectively with their students if they are given the flexibility to move between online and in-classroom learning. Second, teachers can have greater control over the types of assignments and tests that their students complete while they are on the computer. By giving both teachers and their students this level of flexibility, schools have increased their ability to deliver the highest quality education possible.

 

When you think about what it would be like to actually take a course in college or a university, one of the first things that will come to mind is sitting in a classroom and having a teacher present to you questions and answer your questions. But that is not always the case. Some of the best elearning classes actually give their teachers the same access to information and material that would be available to an actual teacher.

 

As long as your teacher has a clear understanding of the course material, you can ask her or him for advice if something comes up. Students have even taken courses online that did not give them the benefit of a real professor - these students simply used the virtual equivalent of a chat room or forum to communicate ideas and interact with one another. As long as there is clear communication between student and instructor, online class sessions can provide a valuable experience and opportunity to teach students how to think on their own and solve problems.

 

You may want to ask a few questions about the way that the online teacher and class discussion work. For example, you may have to do the research yourself to determine what sort of feedback system works best for you and your students. If a teacher is constantly using text messages and emails as means of communication with her or his students, then you might want to try using a voice chat feature where your student is able to communicate directly with his or her teacher.

 

Of course, this can be a little more difficult to do in some situations, such as if you are taking a math or science class. In these cases, a discussion board might be just the right fit for your needs. You can easily post notes or ask your teacher for advice, which means you don't have to worry about having to deal with a real life teacher. The benefits of having an online instructor include better access to important resources such as lesson plans and other course material and a higher rate of completion for your class.

 

If you find that your in-classroom teacher is more than a bit too rigid in teaching methods and materials, then it may be in your best interest to seek out a more flexible classroom format. Even though you may have the freedom to study when and where you want, it still is important to be able to participate in the same learning environment.