Research and Academic Skills: Learning Methods in Higher Education

This essay delves into the ongoing debate between online and face-to-face learning in higher education, examining their respective advantages and disadvantages. It highlights the flexibility and accessibility of online learning, allowing students to balance work and study, access materials anytime, and choose courses based on interest. However, it also acknowledges the benefits of face-to-face interaction, including direct tutor engagement, the development of social networks, and hands-on application through on-job training. The essay discusses issues such as the need for reliable internet access in online learning, the potential for fraud, and the higher costs associated with traditional learning environments. The analysis draws on various research studies to provide a comprehensive comparison, ultimately concluding that the most effective learning method depends on individual student understanding and preferences, and the need to balance both methods to provide the best learning experience.

Research and Academic Skills

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The benefits and issues connected to both online learning and face-to-face learning in
higher education
The change in the lifestyle of the student and the fast technology development offer them a
flexible learning environment. The change in the technology brought the online learning which is
one of the fastest growing trends in the higher education (Kemp & Grieve, 2014). Some of the
research states that student performs better when they get learning through the online than the
traditional learning. On the other hand, some research states that there is no difference between
the face-to-face and online learning outcomes. Though, some of the research also reflects that
online study might work for some of the students who have good understanding skills but no for
the other. In addition, the face-to-face learning might not be suitable for everyone. The current
study reflects the comparison and contrasting of different views associated with the benefits and
issues connected to both the online and face-to-face learning in the higher education.
According to the Moore & Kearsley, 2011, the development of the online degrees and the other
educational programs has sparked a debate in past few years considering the fact that the
distance learning has gained the attention.
According to Ko, & Rossen, 2010, online learning provides the facility to the students to access
the learning material at all times. In addition, the author shared that online learning in higher
education provides the flexibility of time to the students. Therefore, the students can maintain
their job or work along with their study easily which is one of the major benefits and not possible
in the face-to-face learning. Contradicting it, Crawford-Ferre & Wiest, 2012, says that traditional
learning method is beneficial for the student as this offer the unique experience to the students
where they can easily interact face-to-face with their tutor and professors which is not possible in

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the online learning. In addition to this, the author shared their opinion regarding the evening
classes in the higher education that provide the benefit to the students. Therefore, this reflects
that the students can maintain their education with work and job profile. Moreover, the student
can develop their social network with a peer when they visit the university which is again not
possible in the online learning.
According to the Paechter & Maier, 2010, the online learning provides the benefits to the
students for the selection of the course that they want to prefer. The student prefers the courses in
which they are interested due to which they are able to score higher grades. In addition, there is
the availability of the wide variety of the subjects that help the company to fulfill the educational
needs of the student. Moreover, the online programs allow the student to obtain the degrees
without any regular visit to the university and at low cost. Therefore, they prefer online learning
in the higher education. On another hand, contradicting the same Bachour, Kaplan, &
Dillenbourg, 2010 said, face-to-face learning in the higher education offers the hands-on
application through the facility of the on-job training programs which is beneficial for the
students in the higher education which is one of the ways to score higher grade. All these
facilities are offered by the universities and not by the online learning. Moreover, in university,
the tutors and instructors can share their life experience with the students which is one of the
benefits of the regular visit to the university. This is one of the effective ways through which
they motivate the students and this results in the effective and better learning outcomes. Though,
the students have to pay a high amount for attaining the classes.
The study reflects the benefits of the online learning and the face-to-face learning in the higher
education which reflects that both the learning can provide the benefits to the students in one or
other ways it totally depends on the understanding skills of the student. Along with the benefits

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of both the learning techniques, there are some of the issues which are associated with the online
learning and with the face-to-face learning.
According to the Simonson, Smaldino & Zvacek, 2014), Online learning sometimes is not liked
by the students as they have to keep the track for the deadline and they have to navigate the
programs on their own. In addition, they have to find that these lessons are effective for them or
not. The student needs to ensure that there is a stable and reliable internet connection for their
classes. This connectivity proper affects their classes and they won't be able to score good grades
which are one of the issues that the students might face. Another Castle & McGuire, 2010 said
that that there is no connectivity issue linked to the face-to-face learning which is an advantage.
Though, the students studying in the university are worried about the traditional cost of living
which includes lodging, food, transportation, and other social activities. This is an issue is not
faced by the online learners because they can access their learning through anywhere.
One of the major issues that are faced by the student in online learning is high chances of fraud
in learning. According to the Claire, 2018, student needs to be very careful while selecting the
course through online mode as many of them got trapped due to the fake online learning
providers. Moreover, the students are not able to analyze the right course for them which might
affect their outcomes in the form of grades that they will score in that course. Agreeing to the
same, the Kirtman, 2009, reflects that in the face-to-face learning the students can get satisfied
that they are taking the learning from the well-known university. In addition, the tutors of the
university guide their students for selecting the course in which they will be able to score good
marks. Though, the students have to pay fees and another amount in the institution for the same.

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The overall study done by the professors reflects that technological advancement has brought
numerous ways of learning such as online learning but this learning also comes with some of the
drawbacks which are bear by the students. On the other hand, face-to-face learning or traditional
learning also has certain advantage and issues. When a student is involved in the face-to-face
learning then they are only able to focus on the study but on the other aspect of jobs which is one
of the major drawbacks. Contradicting the same, online learning provide the student the
opportunity to avail both work and study together which is preferred by most of the student.

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References
Bachour, K., Kaplan, F., & Dillenbourg, P. (2010). An interactive table for supporting
participation balance in face-to-face collaborative learning. IEEE Transactions on
Learning Technologies, 3(3), 203-213.
Castle, S. R., & McGuire, C. (2010). An analysis of student self-assessment of online, blended,
and face-to-face learning environments: Implications for sustainable education
delivery. International Education Studies, 3(3), 36.
Claire, N. (2018). Classroom Learning vs. Online Learning – Which is Better?. Retrieved from:
https://www.degreejungle.com/classroom-learning-vs-online-learning-u2013-which-is-
better/
Crawford-Ferre, H. G., & Wiest, L. R. (2012). Effective online instruction in higher
education. Quarterly Review of Distance Education, 13(1), 11.
Kemp, N., & Grieve, R. (2014). Face-to-face or face-to-screen? Undergraduates' opinions and
test performance in classroom vs. online learning. Frontiers in psychology, 5, 1278.
Kirtman, L. (2009). Online versus in-class courses: An examination of differences in learning
outcomes. Issues in Teacher Education, 18(2), 103.
Ko, S., & Rossen, S. (2010). Teaching online: A practical guide. New York: Routledge.
Moore, M. G., & Kearsley, G. (2011). Distance education: A systems view of online learning.
Canada: Cengage Learning.

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Paechter, M., & Maier, B. (2010). Online or face-to-face? Students' experiences and preferences
in e-learning. The internet and higher education, 13(4), 292-297.
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., & Zvacek, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Teaching and learning at a
distance: Foundations of distance education. IAP.

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