5 advantages of online classes
1. Easy and practical
The advantage of online classes is that you can wake up even just five minutes before the class starts, and immediately follow the lesson carefully. This method makes studying much more practical.
2. Time flexibility
Without the need to spend a lot of time getting ready and stuck in traffic, you certainly have more free time to spend on studying or other productive things at will. Lecturers who put their class recording videos online also allow us to study at any time we feel is best for ourselves.
3. Cost effective
Even though the tuition fee is not reduced, students can still save a lot of money from other costs that do not now need to be incurred, such as transportation costs and boarding rent.
4. Offer more individual attention
Because you now have a private line directly to the lecturer via e-mail or short message, you can get answers to questions directly without having to feel embarrassed to ask questions in front of the class for fear of being mistaken for stupid. Online classes can get rid of that fear, so instead of trying to remember to ask about it later and forgetting it, you can e-mail your lecturer or via text.
5. Teaches self-discipline
The biggest enemy of online classes is laziness which makes us constantly procrastinate to learn. But now no one will be watching you study, no one can force you to ask questions or provide feedback.
Motivation to learn in online classes comes from learning from yourself. In the end, you will succeed because you realize the importance of doing something on time, or even beforehand. This self-awareness will drive your success in taking online lectures.
5 shortcomings of online classes
1. Requires self-discipline and time management skills
Continuing the previous point, online lectures require you to be good at managing your own time. As with most things, if you don't time properly, you'll find yourself buried under a pile of tasks and seemingly insurmountable.
2. Not suitable for all majors
Unfortunately, our friends who need laboratory facilities for practicum have difficulty implementing this online learning system at home. Complex topics, operating techniques, and practices that require a fixed physical environment are best done in person.
3. Less social interaction
It is undeniable that many people miss the hustle and bustle of class discussions, or the noise of the campus canteen at lunch time. Apart from missing friends, online lectures also make it difficult for us to get to know the lecturers who teach better.
For some people, this face-to-face interaction is a must to bring material to life. However, it is still possible to bring more social interaction to online learning through a competition, scheduled question and answer sessions with lecturers, and interactive discussion channels.
4. Reliance on technology
Millennials may be used to incorporating technology in their learning lives. However, not everyone has integrated technology into their daily routine, especially when it is not available to them.
5. Lack of learning experience from direct practice
Online learning is often theory based and lacks practice-based learning. Basically, we can understand the rules of football by watching videos online, but to be able to play we need to be directly on the pitch.
Therefore, it is important to remember that e-learning cannot replace knowledge gained through direct experience.
