Enriching Education: A Shift in the Classroom (Online vs. On-Campus Learning)

Typically, back to school means a sprint to get school supplies, manage calendars, and plan after school activities. However, with campus closures nationwide, academics were forced to shift their focus to online learning. Many parents saw the benefits of flexible online schedules, but it’s safe to say that the majority of us struggled. 

As we approach the fifth month of stay-at-home orders, things are starting to feel normal(ish). Health concerns aside, there’s still the glaring question of—should I send my kids back to school? Or do the benefits of online learning outweigh those of in-person classes?

In this post, we explore the benefits of each, along with the drawbacks. 

Online Learning

As a parent, I’ve found the most difficult part of online learning to be planning enough activities to keep my kids focused throughout the day. Resources such as virtual museums have been a saving grace during these turbulent times.

Even prior to the pandemic, many classrooms were choosing to offer online versions of courses. For many students, this allowed them to attend school, where they otherwise might not have gotten the opportunity. 

Benefits

• Cost-friendly
• More individualized learning and lessons
• Scheduling flexibility 
• Accommodation for special education needs

Disadvantages

• Lack of socialization
• Potential security threats
• Unrealistic simulations
• Technology issues

On-Campus Learning

I can’t be the only one who enjoys it when my kids are occupied for the day. I may even be guilty of taking PTO during school hours so I can enjoy some quiet time. While that invigorates me, being able to spend quality time with the kids and have hands-on involvement in their education has opened my eyes to the cons of classroom learning.

At the end of the day, there are plenty of benefits and drawbacks when it comes to in-person classes, and sitting down to think about each will be a necessity in the coming months. 

Benefits

• Improves social skills
• Removes outside distractions
• Teaches structure
• Enhances critical thinking

Disadvantages

• Lack of individual instruction
• Restrictive schedules
• Costly
• No coverage of real-world topics

So which is best? It really depends on your needs, your schedule, and your goals. Oftentimes, parents will choose to do a rotation model. This is when the student splits his or her time with online learning and in-person learning. That way, they can get the best of both worlds. (and mom and dad can get some rest!)