Registration Number: 219250132

Course Code and Title: LEE3410: English for General Academic Purposes - EGAP
Programme: BA Degree in Social Sciences (Communication Studies)
Regional Center: Ampara

 
Online education is a safe and viable alternative to ensure the health of students and staff alike
one that many institutions have already enacted in the face of the coronavirus threat.  As the
educational environment continues to evolve and embrace new technologies the need becomes
especially critical for institutions to prioritize accessibility. With a possible pandemic like
coronavirus it puts online education accessibility into a whole new light. 

Face to face learning is the more traditional way of instruction where students and teachers
attend an in person session at the same time. The instructor leads the class and usually students
are passively learning. Online learning can be any type of learning that takes place over the
internet. This could be a supplemental course a full degree program or self-study. More times
than not online learning is asynchronous as students do not have to learn at the same time and
place as their instructors are teaching.

One of the most significant differences between face to face learning and online learning is that
face to face learning is synchronous or done at the same time. All instructors and
students/classmates are present in face to face learning. With online learning however that is not
necessary. Online instruction can be either synchronous or asynchronous. In face to face classes
instructors are usually just delivering knowledge and then assessing the understanding of that
knowledge at a later date. This is compared to online learning where instructors are seen more as
facilitators of learning helping their students understand the material through provided online
materials. In both face to face and online learning instructors must have a way to measure
performance. This is typically done by way of submitting assignments, administering tests,
exams and quizzes and creating points for participation. Participation and class attendance is
harder to measure in an online learning environment. Face to face learning has been the standard
way of instruction for centuries. While online instruction is becoming increasingly popular in
person study may still be the best option for some people.

With face to face learning instructors are better able to gauge understanding and interest of
students and it is easier to generate group excitement about a subject. It is also easier to hold
students accountable.  Online courses give students full control over what they are learning so
students are able to work at their own speed. They are able to work quickly through areas they
understand and spend more time on areas they do not.

In online learning students save a ton of time by not having to commute to class. There is also a
need by face to face instructors to fill the allotted course time when students could be using that
time to work on something more valuable for their learning. In online learning students are
spending less time overall and making that time towards their education count.

This related learning methodology is very suitable to continue the education of the students
without any hindrance even in the face of severe epidemics. Here the student will also gain
technical knowledge outside of their subject. Although this methodology is used for education in
developed countries it is taking on a new face in our country. However the online learning
method can be considered as a very appropriate and successful method in the face of the corona
epidemic ensuring the safety of the teacher and the student and without interfering with the
educational activities.