The world is now driven by the Internet. It is no longer conceived that only Gen Y uses the power of the Internet for learning new things. From ordering groceries online to making bank payments, we tech-savvy. However, there are still a few facets of life that require a personal touch. While healthcare, education and a few other avenues have been penetrated by technology, we still prefer to go old school. And in that regard, a question prevails with respect to online classes – are they a boon for the students or bane?
There is no black or white answer to this particular question as it entirely depends on the needs and preferences of the student. If you are a parent trying to decide between opting for an online class for your kid vs sending them out for a tutoring lesson, then here are the top 3 criteria one must focus on before making the final call.
Distraction
Since online classes are virtual, there is no person other than the student present in the room and this could lead to unnecessary distraction. Particularly, young children cannot focus in an online class environment as their minds tend to wander to other objects in the room. Although the teacher can bring the attention back to the topic, the effectiveness of the class is partly owing to the nature of the class itself. On the other hand, online classes also make reaching out to teachers from different parts of the world without having to travel anywhere. This is particularly helpful for students who are trying to catch up with an old teacher or want to connect for some quick tips.
Feedback
Most online tutors share feedback based on the child’s performance in that class. While over a period of time, they are able to understand the student better, there is still a disconnect as the teacher is not physically present. An offline class or the traditional tutoring practice allows the teacher to connect with the students on a personal level and let them understand the pain points easily and change the method of teaching to best suit the kid. This also results in better feedback session between the teacher and the parents.
Schedule
Owing to distance and conflicting schedules, a teacher is not available 24/7 for the child in an online environment. While the student can drop a mail or a message to connect with the teacher, there is a delay in the response. Offline classes allow the child to go to the class for any doubt several times without any hesitation. It is almost seamless for the child to connect with the teacher as they are consistently present.
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