Comparing Learning Activity: Traditional vs. Online Classroom with Illustrations

 

­Diskusi 5 Innovation in ELT (English Language Teaching)

Brophy and Alleman (1991 in Reeves, et al., 2002) revealed that activity, in teaching and learning context, can be anything students are expected to do, beyond getting input through reading or listening, in order to learn, practice, apply, evaluate, or in any other way respond to curricular content.

Based on your teaching experience and knowledge, discuss the differences and similarities of learning activity between the traditional face-to-face classroom and online learning, and add your discussion with illustrations from both teaching situations and your application/platforms/website you applied.

Please feel free to share your ideas and, if necessary, support your ideas with some relevant sources!

Have a fruitful discussion!

Answer 1:

Brophy and Alleman (1991) provided a definition of activity in the context of teaching and learning which encompasses any action that students are required to perform beyond simply receiving information through reading or listening. These actions are intended to assist with learning, practice, application, assessment, or any other form of reaction to the curriculum. The meaning of activity in this context is broad and covers a wide range of activities such as joining in discussions, finishing tasks, engaging in practical learning experiences, and more. This definition underscores the significance of active learning in the education process where students are not passive recipients of knowledge but actively participate with the material to enhance their comprehension and retention.

In the following, I describe the differences and similarities in learning activities between face-to-face traditional classes and online learning in the table, based on the experience of teaching online learning using Google Classroom and the tools available on the platform.

A.    The Differences between traditional face-to-face and online learning.

Learning Activity	Traditional Face to Face Classroom	Online Learning
Learning presentation or tutoring	Delivered in person by the teacher, often accompanied by visual aids such as slides or handouts	Can be delivered through videos or live streams that students can access at any time
Discussions	Facilitated in real-time, allowing for immediate feedback and interaction among students and with the teacher	Can be asynchronous, allowing students to participate at their own pace and convenience, but may lack the immediacy of real-time discussions
Collaborative work	Students can work together in person, which can foster teamwork and social interaction	Can be done virtually, using tools like Google Docs or other collaborative software, which allows for remote collaboration and communication
Hands-on activities	Often done in the classroom, allowing students to engage with materials and tools directly	Can be done through virtual simulations or interactive activities, allowing students to practice skills and engage with the material in a hands-on way
Assessments	Can be done in person, such as through written exams or oral presentations	Can be done remotely, using tools like quizzes, assignments, or discussion boards, which can be easily graded and tracked by the teacher

Example of the traditional face-to-face classroom:

• Lectures delivered in person by the Teacher.
• Group discussions among students in real-time.
• Collaborative work done in person, such as group projects or presentations.
• Hands-on activities such as science experiments or art projects done in the classroom.
• Assessments are done in person, such as written exams or oral presentations.

Example of online learning using Google Classroom:

• Lectures delivered through pre-recorded videos that students can access at any time.
• Asynchronous discussions using the Google Classroom discussion board.
• Collaborative work done virtually using Google Docs or other collaborative software.
• Hands-on activities are done through virtual simulations or interactive activities, such as a virtual dissection in a science class, by using Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Slides, Jamboard, Mind Map and others.
• Assessments are done remotely using quizzes or assignments that are submitted and graded through Google Classroom by using Google Form or Quizziz.

B.    The Similarities between traditional face-to-face and online learning.

Learning Activity	Traditional Face to Face Classroom	Online Learning
Active Learning	Encourages students to engage with the material through discussions, group work, and hands-on activities	Encourages students to engage with the material through discussions, collaborative work, and interactive activities
Personalized Learning	Teachers can provide individualized attention and support to students based on their needs and strengths	Teachers can provide individualized attention and support to students through online office hours, feedback on assignments, and personalized learning paths
Critical Thinking	Emphasizes critical thinking skills through class discussions, debates, and problem-solving activities	Emphasizes critical thinking skills through online discussions, virtual simulations, and interactive activities
Feedback and Assessment	Provides students with feedback on their work and progress through regular assessments and teacher feedback	Provides students with feedback on their work and progress through online assessments, quizzes, and teacher feedback

Example of the traditional face-to-face classroom:

• Active learning through discussions, group work, and hands-on activities.
• Personalized learning through individualized attention and support from the teacher.
• Critical thinking skills emphasized through class discussions, debates, and problem-solving activities.
• Feedback and assessment provided through regular assessments and teacher feedback.

Example of online learning using Google Classroom:

• Active learning through online discussions, collaborative work, and interactive activities.
• Personalized learning through online office hours, feedback on assignments, and personalized learning paths.
• Critical thinking skills emphasized through online discussions, virtual simulations, and interactive activities.
• Feedback and assessment provided through online assessments, quizzes, and teacher feedback.

Based on Bates (2015), there are both differences and similarities in learning activity between traditional face-to-face classrooms and online learning. The main difference is the mode of delivery, where traditional classrooms rely on in-person interactions while online learning relies on technology-mediated interactions. This difference affects the way active learning, personalized learning, critical thinking, and feedback and assessment are facilitated.

However, despite the differences, there are also similarities in the learning activities. Both traditional face-to-face classrooms and online learning can facilitate active learning, personalized learning, critical thinking, and feedback and assessment. In both settings, teachers can create opportunities for students to engage with the material, provide individualized support and feedback, promote critical thinking skills, and assess student progress.

Finally, the key is to design learning activities that are appropriate for the mode of delivery and that align with the desired learning outcomes. Both traditional face-to-face classrooms and online learning can be effective if designed and implemented well.

References:

Bates, A. W. 2015. Teaching in a digital age: Guidelines for designing teaching and learning. Tony Bates Associates Ltd.

Answer 2:

The differences and similarities of learning activities between traditional face-to-face classrooms and online learning.

Similarities

• Discussion: Discussion is a common learning activity in both traditional face-to-face classrooms and online learning. In a discussion, students can share their ideas and perspectives on a topic, and they can learn from each other's insights.
• Group work: Group work is another common learning activity in both traditional face-to-face classrooms and online learning. In group work, students work together to complete a task or project. This can help students learn how to collaborate and communicate effectively.
• Presentations: Presentations are also a common learning activity in both traditional face-to-face classrooms and online learning. In a presentation, students share their knowledge and understanding of a topic with others. This can help students develop their public speaking skills and their ability to think critically.
• Quizzes and exams: Quizzes and exams are also common learning activities in both traditional face-to-face classrooms and online learning. These assessments can help students gauge their understanding of the material and identify areas where they need more help.

Differences

• Flexibility: Online learning is more flexible than traditional face-to-face learning. Students can access online courses at any time and from any location. This can be especially beneficial for students who have busy schedules or who live in rural areas.
• Interaction: Traditional face-to-face learning offers more opportunities for student-teacher interaction than online learning. In a traditional classroom, students can ask questions and get immediate feedback from the instructor. This can be helpful for students who are struggling with the material or who want to learn more about a topic.
• Technology: Online learning requires students to have access to technology. This can be a barrier for some students, especially those who do not have a computer or internet access at home.

Personal Illustrations

I have taught both traditional face-to-face classes and online courses. In my experience, students in both formats enjoy discussion and group work. However, I have found that students in online courses are more likely to participate in discussions if they are asynchronous. This means that students can post their comments and questions at any time, and they can respond to each other's comments at their own pace.

I have also found that students in online courses are more likely to complete group projects if the projects are well-structured and if the students are given clear instructions. In my online courses, I have used a variety of tools to help students collaborate on group projects, including Google Docs, Google Slides, and Zoom.

Conclusion

Both traditional face-to-face classrooms and online learning offer unique advantages and disadvantages. The best learning format for a particular student will depend on their individual needs and preferences.

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