a comparison of online, virtual, and in-person learning

How does virtual learning compare to going to school at a brick-and-mortar location? Advantages and disadvantages certainly differ depending on level. In 2020, schools of all levels closed, and for the first time, large portions of our younger population were schooling at home, from preschoolers to college students.

While many parents have chosen to homeschool, with school closures many parents now working full-time from home were faced with the challenges of teaching their kids at home (with no prior experience in education), or managing their online learning schedule. The lack of socialization for young students meant a key part of their behavioral learning was lost. Middle and high school students likely adapted better to the switch to virtual learning than younger students, but they no longer had club or sport activities. 

This post will review the benefits and downsides of online and virtual learning compared to traditional, in-person learning.

Photo by Siora Photography on Unsplash

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Ask the Expert: Online vs Classroom Learning from Christine Greenhow, associate professor of educational technology at Michigan State University.

Student Outcomes with Remote versus In-Person Learning from www.techlearning university.com.

online learning

Online learning has been a well-advertised option for adults wanting to go back to school, whether full-time or part-time.  But the online learning industry exploded with the COVID-19 pandemic as virtual learning replaced in-person learning for many across the world.

​Benefits of online learning

• Easy scheduling: Online courses are often pre-recorded or offered at convenient times for people with full schedules
• Wide range: Online courses are offered on a variety of subjects both from schools offering traditional career options and from online services like Udemy and Coursera who offer courses from data science to dancing
• Simple materials: Instead of expensive textbooks to buy at the student store, online classes typically use online resources and coursebooks that are free or very affordable. Course materials may also include videos that give an 'in-person' feel.
• Easy-access: Online learning can be accessed wherever you are as long as you have a web connection. That means if you travel often, you can still keep up with your courses.

Downsides of online learning

• Self-motivation: If you're pursuing online learning, you likely already have a bit of self-motivation. However, signing up for a class isn't the same as actually completing it. You have to organize your time and materials on your own, without the accountability of live meetings or in-person schedules. 
• Socialization: Some people learn better when they're with other people. Most online learning courses don't offer options for tutoring or study groups, and you won't be able to stop by your teacher's office for office hours.

virtual learning

Virtual learning goes beyond online learning to try to provide more interactive experiences - but virtually. Live classes using teleconference and video technology, group exercises using breakout rooms, and other efforts to engage the student with the teacher, the material, and with other students, are made when virtual learning is used in place of in-person learning.

Many companies have offered virtual learning experiences for students who school from home but because virtual learning wasn't widespread until the school closures in 2020, traditional in-person learning institutions, like colleges and universities, had to scramble to try to adapt their in-person teaching systems to online learning. In addition to some growing pains, there are clear advantages and disadvantages of virtual learning and online learning compared to in-person learning.

The key with virtual learning is to combine the advantages of online learning, where students can go at their own pace and have time to think deeply about material, with advantages of in-person learning, where students can interact with other students, their teacher, and their content in a virtual space.

in-person learning

Studying at a brick-and-mortar building is the most traditional form of learning. Some learning methods have been well-tested and some are more experimental.  The routine of going to class each day and the relative homogeneity of class structure (lectures, exercises, homework) gives consistency to the in-person learning experience. This consistency and structure helps develop routines, which help those in middle school, high school, and college learn how to manage their time and coursework. 

​Benefits of in-person learning

• Socialization: Having the opportunity to learn with peers can be valuable to some students, providing the option to share knowledge and challenges while also providing accountability
• Teacher-student interaction: In-person learning means interacting with your teacher in passing, during office hours, or one-on-one through appointments. Virtual learning can provide similar experiences with video conferencing technology.​

Downsides of in-person learning

• Traditional: A downside of traditional in-person learning is just that - tradition! It can be difficult to get traditional institutions to try new things and change how they work, even if research shows it's better for students.
• Fast- or slow-paced: Traditional classroom teaching goes at one pace and may leave some students bored and some students left behind. The best types of virtual learning let students go at their own pace with pre-recorded materials as well as interactive exercises that mimic the advantages of in-person learning.

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Have I missed any advantages or disadvantages? What has been your experience with online, virtual, and in-person learning? Comment below.