Online vs. Face-to-Face Learning: Is One Better Than the Other?

As we venture further into the times when online learning has become the new norm and

face-to-face learning has seemingly been put on hold for the foreseeable future, it’s interesting to

sit back and compare learning now to what it was not so long ago. While the two interactions

share similarities and undoubtedly, differences, when weighing both the pros and cons of each,

which is more effective and beneficial in aiding student learning? In my opinion, the answer to

that question is completely subjective; it depends almost entirely on the individual.

The traits a student needs to possess in order to be successful as an online student are

listed as the following: goal-oriented, proficient communication skills, self-motivated,

responsible, knowledge of basic computer skills, and the ability to learn independently (Fairmont

State University, n.d.). Speaking from experience as a student that has attended classes both in an

online and face-to-face format, I can attest that possessing these traits is certainly ideal if you

intend on enrolling in any online class. While online learning requires an individual to be more

disciplined than face-to-face learning, it comes with its advantages. Online learning offers

students the opportunity to set their own pace, decide on whether a synchronous or asynchronous

method of learning suites them, retain information at higher rates, and the ability to work more

quickly (University of the People, n.d.). This raises the question, is online learning better than

face-to-face interaction?

In order to effectively answer that question, one must weigh both the benefits and

disadvantages of face-to-face learning. One advantage that face-to-face learning has over online

learning is that it does involve face-to-face interaction. Students can ask questions directly to

their professors, engage in social interaction between both their instructor and classmates, and

have access to in-person campus facilities (Bowden, 2017). However, these advantages also have
their drawbacks. The use of both synchronous and passive learning as well as strict attendance

policies, and the confinement to a classroom can heavily impact a person’s ability to learn

effectively. The opportunities that an individual who chooses to enroll in online courses has with

being more self-sufficient and disciplined are taken away with face-to-face learning.

Simply put, in making the decision to take classes online, a person must be prepared to

take on a full load; online learning is not easy. While having personally taken roughly 90% of

my college courses online, I can say that it does pose its challenges, but it is still strongly

preferred on my part. As mentioned, this does not mean that online learning is inadvertently

better than face-to-face learning, nor does it mean the contrary. While both have their advantages

and disadvantages, the question of which is better and more effective can only be answered by

the individual.
References

Fairmont State University. (n.d.). Characteristics of a successful online student. Retrieved from

https://www.fairmontstate.edu/academics/distancelearning/successful-student

University of the People. (n.d.). Facts: Is online learning as good as face-to-face learning?.

Retrieved from https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/online-learning-good-as-face-to-face-

learning/

Bowden, P. (2017, May 30). Advantages and disadvantages of online and classroom learning

[Blog post]. Retrieved September 4, 2020, from

https://onlinelearningsuccess.org/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-online-and-

classroom-learning/