The Importance Of Online Classes

For many students, online classes provide the opportunity to further their education while still maintaining other responsibilities such as maintaining a job and family. However, the efficacy of higher education classes when taught in an online format has been a subject of debate since distance education became widely available. As the popularity of online classes continue to grow, more and more the adequacy of online education is being evaluated. Many people question if students in online classes are receiving the same degree of instruction as students in a traditional face-to-face class. While online classes may provide students with a more accessible approach to higher education, they may not be the best option. Due to the asynchronous learning environment, the lack of teacher access, and the sense of student isolation, distant learning can negatively affect a student’s learning. This new generation of students is all about modern technology and how to receive the needed information

“ Teachers must interact with students on an emotional and social level in order to be truly effective” (McFarlane 15). Since most students are located all over the world and under different time zones, teachers aren’t always accessible as if they would be in a daily setting. In a traditional classroom setting, students have many resources at their disposal when they experience difficulties in understanding the material or have concerns about an assignment. Having the instructor and fellow peers readily available helps provide the concerned student with almost immediate feedback and support. “Unlike the resources offered in an online class, where teachers and students are separated by place and time.”(McFarlane 15). This lack of physical and emotional interaction can make it very frustrating for a student to receive trying to receive the help or feedback needed to