It’s no secret that 2020 brought its load of challenges. However, with those challenges came new ideas. When the pandemic first hit, schools were left with the question of how they were going to provide an education to their students. That is when virtual learning became huge. Now as the world is starting to open back up, students are now left with the question of if they are going to go back to traditional school or if they believe that they will thrive better with continuing their education online.
Flexibility
Sometimes attending classes every week Monday - Friday is not possible for all students, whether it be because of job reasons, heavily involved in extracurricular activities or because they do not thrive in that learning environment. A virtual classroom allows students to take classes and turn in homework from wherever is easiest for them, while still making the deadlines that they are given.
Kids who attend a traditional school do not have that same flexibility. They have a little flexibility when it comes to choosing their schedules. They can choose to take classes that meet once a week or at night.
Social Interaction
One critical question students should ask themselves before enrolling in either online or traditional school is do they need one on one interaction with their teachers and peers? Virtual school gives students the opportunity to interact with their peers and teachers through online portals and/or video conferencing software. With this software in place, it is easier to hold and attend classes from any location. Not only do these virtual platforms provide good audio and visuals, but they also allow students to attend class and ask questions.
On the other side, traditional school is the best option for students who want face-to-face communication with others. Traditional schooling allows for direct engagement with teachers and students. Through this form of learning, students can have detailed discussions, ask a lot of questions, and cover many concepts in one topic. This will improve students' performance in their education overall.
Self-Discipline
Discipline is a key factor that weighs on most people’s minds when deciding on either virtual or traditional learning. The success of a student comes down to how committed they are. That is why they need to choose which method of learning is right for them. An online-based way of learning is good for those who are self-motivated and good at prioritizing tasks as well as setting deadlines for themselves to get their work done. Without having good organization, students who are taking an online course may not perform as well as they could.
A traditional-based learning environment is best suited for those who need a little more structure and discipline to get their work done. With structured classes, to-do lists and regular assignments, students will have the support system they need to get their assignments completed on time. Having to make an in-class appearance is slowly making students a little more disciplined.
Choosing what form of learning that’s best for you may be difficult. Before the pandemic, we would have thought that there was only one option. However, since then, online learning has paved the way for those who thrive more in an online, personal setting. Deciding which method is right for you will help you overall as you will thrive in the environment that you want.