With the help of technology, the education sector has traveled at high speed in the field of online education, which in recent years has multiplied its offer in most academic institutions in the world, despite an initial reluctance by professionals and Students, already expired years ago, in front of the traditional classroom teaching.
Differences between virtual and on campus education
The role of the instructor, from transmitter to motivator
In the face-to-face classes, the instructor is the only source of consultation, while in the virtual environments the participants can be enriched through various sources of knowledge. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) facilitate the construction of collective knowledge. If we take full advantage of this possibility, the role of virtual instruction goes from being a simple transmission of information to becoming a series of processes that stimulate critical thinking, thus raising the quality of learning. The instructor guides and advises the participants throughout the course, answers questions and questions through e-mail, chats and forums, provides feedback on practical assignments and evaluates competencies, while stimulating and encouraging self-taught attitude.
The participant, from passive to active
In the virtual trainings the participant has the possibility to become an autonomous and active character since on the one hand he can take the course at his own pace, and on the other he can contribute the knowledge acquired in his research on the web through his participation In interactive activities. It is important to emphasize that in online education the participants tend to feel abandoned, so we recommend that you constantly design activities that allow you to communicate fluently with the participants of your courses.
Time and space, from fixed to flexible
In the face-to-face education there is an established schedule and place that must be respected for the knowledge to occur. Asynchronous virtual education offers the advantage of adjusting to the participants’ schedule. It does not matter if for some reason a student cannot meet in a regular classroom to learn, technology allows information to always be accessible. The challenge is that instructors can stimulate their students to such an extent that they want to take advantage of the permanent availability of knowledge.
Material, Limited to Extensive
In face-to-face education content is limited to verbal, non-verbal and written communication. ICTs represent a tool to support the learning process, the availability of sound recordings, images, videos, e-mail, internal messaging, discussion forums and all types of multimedia content are sources of innovation and creative tools that can help you capture The attention of those who want to train.
Teaching methods, from uniformity to multiplicity
Another difference that changes the rules of the game is the great variety of didactic tools that you can use with the virtual modality. In face-to-face teaching, participants are forced to adapt to the way in which the teacher teaches, limitations are based on the level of creativity of the teacher, and while in virtual teaching methodological possibilities extend: with educational technology Limitation is not knowledge but curiosity.
About the author
Adriana James is author of this article. She has been associated with the profession of teaching since more than one decade at Assignment Box. Due to her well versed knowledge and research experience she has been writing regarding issues related to online as well as traditional education.
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