Virtual Versus Real Classrooms - Essay Sample

Introduction

The education system across the world has undergone massive changes in the last decades. Traditionally, the real classroom was the only option that students would attend their lessons. However, with the emergence of technology and the internet, virtual classroom has become prevalent. Virtual classroom involves access to education through online devices aided by internet (Chadha). The approach means less physical interactions between the tutors and the students since the learning environment is located within computer-mediated communication systems. Real classroom refers to the active involvement of learner and instructors in developing and implementing learning activities such as joint projects, group discussions, and debates (Parker 116). While both approaches have certain similarities, the real classroom provides more advantages compared to virtual classes. However, the virtual classrooms can act as great complimentary to the real ones.

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Differences

Differences between real and virtue classroom have been explored, including environment setting, variation between learners, the difference in time schedules, and ways of interactions. According to Moazami, the teaching environment of these two approaches are entirely different (4). The real classroom possesses fixed and own campus, and students are located within or on the college. Also, learners attend classes almost every day and adhere to a similar curriculum (Parker 116). On the contrary, the virtual classroom lacks a limit on time schedule, place, or access to the school.

Moreover, the students attending virtual classrooms are mostly likely part-time scholars, while the real classroom attendees are full-time learners. Unlike the real classroom students who probably do not have other duties such as work or family, numerous virtual class learners have more responsibilities which make it impossible to attend regular classroom (Moazami 3). However, the illustrations are not an assurance of less energy use in the virtual classroom since it is more time consuming and requires a lot of effort.

Significant Variation

Additionally, there is significant variation between students in real and virtual classrooms. In most cases, students are of similar age in these traditional classrooms; hence, the instructor makes plans in accordance with learner's psychological characters (Chadha). Also, these students are arranged at different levels. Conversely, learners are highly diversified in the virtual classroom. Age, work, and life experiences vary from one student to another, making it difficult for the educator to assume their characteristics. Another difference between real and virtual classroom is the time schedules. For instance, the real type of classroom follows a definite timetable as well as similar textbooks (Parker 116). Courses are planned following cognitive development of the learners and the features of a particular study. Also, the students in this setting can learn various subjects in a day hence increasing its efficiency. These advantages are not possible for virtual classroom learners. They lack enough time to study different sources within a short period. Therefore, there is a need to adjust personal progression according to one's time.

Moreover, the interaction between real and virtual classroom is different. In the real set up, instructors and students are all educational participators. The educator teaches while the student learns under the instructor's guidelines. Teachers are obligated to lead scholars in thinking and solving problems according to individual performance as they interact face to face. In contrast, the virtual classroom involves communication through the internet. Face to face communication is rare though the possibility has been enhanced by developed technology such as zoom and skype software (Moazami 5). However, the efficiency of the virtual classroom is still lower since the participation of the two parties, teachers and learner, is limited via the internet.

Real Classroom Method

The real classroom method of teaching has existed for the longest time, although the technological world has changed the system over time. These advancements are likely to alter the teaching methods and theory as well as learning approaches. Hence, various reasons why the real classroom is more efficient compared to the virtual classroom have also been established. Firstly, most students are not familiar with the virtual way of learning. Learners in numerous locations are adapted to being guided by the instructors because of the system of education (Moazami 5). In real situation, they are led by the teachers, making it difficult to manage personal studies. The scenario is most common in Chinese students where the teachers are obligated to help students in thinking and solving problems face to face (Parker 117). The fact that the educator presence is important show the significance of real classroom to the virtual classroom.

Secondly, most colleges have enough classes and teachers, which enhances real classrooms learning. The virtual classroom was initial designed to aid students who are inconvenienced by other duties hence not attending school physically (Moazami 3). For regular learners, it is essential to participate in the real classroom, which will enhance their interaction. Also, virtual classrooms are more demanding to both learners and teachers. The instructor needs to understand the student's specialty well and have enough knowledge of handling the software. The real classroom is also important since the student can access the educator's demonstration, which is an integral part of learning. Most students understand more from teachers gestures and expressions (Parker 117).

Conclusion

In conclusion, real classroom is a more convenient method of education compared to virtual. However, the virtual classroom can be a significant complementary of real classes since some students use it as the only opportunity for education. It is also advantageous because it encourages inquiry learning, develops students self-studying ability, suitable for introversive language students, and most importantly open all through. Hence, the combination of these two approaches is vital despite the contrast among them. Educators need to choose which courses are better for the virtual classroom and which are suitable for real learning.

Works Cited

Chadha, Anita. "Virtual classrooms: Analyzing student and instructor collaborative experiences." Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning 18.3 (2018). doi.org/10.14434/josotl.v18i3.22318

Moazami, Fariborz, et al. "Comparing two methods of education (virtual versus traditional) on learning of Iranian dental students: a post-test only design study." BMC medical education 14.1 (2014): 1-5. doi.org/10.1186/1472-6920-14-45

Parker, Becky. "Real Science, Real Classrooms." School Science Review 98.365 (2017): 116-117. eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1154770.