Lessons, lessons and lessons. We have numerous lessons in life. But since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, colleges and universities around the world have switched to online learning. Gradually, some argue that online lessons should replace face-to-face lessons. According to Palmer Luckey, “In the past, before phones and the Internet, all communication was face-to-face. Now, most of it is digital, via emails and messaging services. If people were to start using virtual reality, it would almost come full circle.” In fact, I disagree with it. In this essay, I am going to support my standpoint in terms of accountability, comprehensiveness and sociability.
First and foremost, face-to-face lessons provide structure and accountability that can be lacking in online learning. The accountability provided by face-to-face lessons extends beyond academic performance. Students are expected to adhere to a certain level of behavior and conduct in the classroom. This includes respecting their peers, listening to their teachers, and following school rules. This type of accountability promotes good citizenship and social responsibility which are important qualities for students to develop as they progress through their academic and professional lives. In a traditional classroom, for example, students are doing a geography project. They are expected to present the idea of soil erosion and participate in group discussion, which helps to foster discipline and responsibility. It is because they do not have the option to say, “I’ll just watch the video clip of the class lecture and do the work later” but do the work simultaneously. In contrast, online learning can be more passive. According to Jessica Heppen and her co-workers at the American Institutes for Research and the University of Chicago, they randomly assigned students who had failed second semester Algebra I to either face-to-face or online credit recovery courses over the summer. Surprisingly, students’ credit-recovery success rates and algebra test scores were lower in the online setting. This proves that having face-to-face contact with teachers and other students help motivate students to finish their job.
Additionally, face-to-face lessons provide a more comprehensive environment with a range of resources and facilities that may not be available through online learning. For example, classrooms may have access to libraries, laboratories, and other facilities that allow for hands-on learning experiences. These resources can enhance students’ learning experiences and research has also shown that students who attend physical classes tend to retain more information than those who take online courses. Some people may say, we can still carry out experiments at home. In my opinion, it is substantially inaccessible as, for instance, it is challenging and dangerous to handle chemicals at home. Furthermore, during science lessons, we can learn the characteristics of oxygen by doing a burning splint test. In contrast, learning without any facility cannot be regarded as practical learning. Therefore, online learning makes it extremely difficult for students to comprehend course materials through a screen.
What is more, humans are social creatures and face-to-face lessons can offer the opportunity for interaction between students, which makes them feel a sense of belonging. The more they interact with people, the more they learn. In a classroom setting, students have the opportunity to work collaboratively with their peers, engage in discussions, and develop interpersonal skills. This type of learning experience promotes teamwork, communication, and leadership skills that are valuable in both academic and occupational settings. An example of student interaction at school could be an English Literature project where students are divided into teams and given a task to complete together. In this scenario, students are required to collaborate with their peers, present their ideas, and work towards a common goal which may be a presentation. They may need to share information like history of the literature, delegate tasks, and provide feedback to one another in order to successfully complete the project. On the other hand, studying from home for some people means sitting in a house on their own, and do not get as many physical activities throughout the day. According to Science Daily, the faculty at Rice University gathered 100 children from the age of 10 to 17 who were not doing enough to keep fit throughout the day when they were having online lessons only. They were then given the chance to attend face-to-face lessons and it was proven that the lessons allowed them to develop social skills and gain a better understanding of themselves.
Yet, I do not deny that online lessons may be convenient as students can attend classes from anywhere with an internet connection. However, while these benefits are certainly significant, they cannot outweigh the advantages of face-to-face lessons as there is mounting evidence that online education is not effective. One concern is that technical issues will disrupt the flow of the lesson and learning experience, making it harder for students to follow along and stay engaged. Poor audio or video quality can make it difficult for students to hear or see important information, and this can negatively impact their ability to learn. Students may experience technical difficulties such as slow or inconsistent internet connection, software malfunctions, or hardware failures. Another concern is that it will also create a “digital segregation” as students from low-income households or rural areas may be at a disadvantage compared to their peers who have access to better technology and internet connectivity. These problems can lead to frustration and loss of valuable learning time and comprehensive learning.
In conclusion, with all my viewpoints above, online lessons should not be replaced by face-to- face lessons. Physical classrooms provide a more comprehensive, responsible and interactive learning experience that is essential for students’ success. While we are moving forward in the post-pandemic world, it is important that we prioritize face-to-face lessons, ensuring that students have access to high-quality education that meets their needs and be aware of the limitations of online lessons.