ONLINE LEARNING VS FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING

                Due to pandemic COVID-19 that happens all around the world. Schools and universities need to shut down their operation for a while to avoid the spreading of the COVID-19 viruses among students. Thus, to ensure that students can continue their learning, most of them universities and school had announced to conduct learning via online. UiTM also one of the universities in Malaysia that applied online learning or Open and Distance Learning (ODL). Their students can stay at home and still can learn from home. Online learning is a crucial thing to do now as we are moving toward the modern era and we need students that are multi-talented, that knows a little bit about computers and how to conduct online classes. But, we often heard complaints from student that said online learning is tiring and they did not understand what the lecturers trying to explain in online learning. And we also heard complaints about some students especially from mute areas, did not have the access to Internet. Some need to climb tree to find the Internet connection. Thus, I would like to discuss what is online learning, the differences between online learning and face-to-face learning, and the advantages of online learning.

                   So, what is Online Learning? Online learning is education that takes place over the Internet. It is often referred to as “e-learning” among other terms. Online learning also known as distance learning. Distance learning form of education in which the main elements include physical separation of teachers and students during instruction and the use of various technologies to facilitate student-teacher and student-student communication. Distance learning traditionally has focused on non-traditional students, such as full-time workers, military personnel, and non-residents or individuals in remote regions who are unable to attend classroom lectures. However, distance learning has become an established part of the educational world, with trends pointing to ongoing growth. In Malaysia, every universities have emphasized online learning in their education. For example, the lecturers in Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) need to conduct online class or it is called blended learning at least once to prepare the students for the changes the changes that occurs like this COVID-19 pandemic. Students and institutions embrace distance learning with good reason. Universities benefit by adding students without having to construct classrooms and housing, and students reap the advantages of being able to work where and when they choose.

                There are so many terms that describes online learning such as distance learning and e-learning. However, it is only mean one thing which is class that carried often outside classroom. Students and teachers have the right to choose where they wanted to carry the class. For instance, students can sat at their home but still can learn by using Google Classroom where the teachers assigned an assignment. Moreover, it refers to courses that can be taken outside the classroom and usually need the source of Internet. There are some characteristics that differentiate between online learning and face to face learning. First, online learning is by definition carried out through institutions is it is not self-study or a non-academic learning environment. The institutions may or may not offer traditional classroom-based instruction as well, but they are eligible for accreditation by the same agencies as those employing traditional methods. As mentioned earlier, online learning is conducted by the lecturers. The lecturers are free to choose whether, they wanted to have a class through Google Meet or assigned their assignments through Google Classroom. Second, geographic separation is inherent in online learning, and time may also separate students and teachers. Accessibility and convenience are important advantages of this mode of education. Well-designed programs can also bridge intellectual, cultural, and social differences between students. The students can learn from home at all time. They did not have to think about going to classes. Third, interactive telecommunications connect individuals within a learning group and with the teacher. Most often, electronic communications, such as e-mail, are used, but traditional forms of communication, such as the postal system, may also play a role. Whatever the medium, interaction is essential to distance education, as it is to any education. The connections of learners, teachers, and instructional resources become less dependent on physical proximity as communications systems become more sophisticated and widely available; consequently, the Internet, mobile phones, and e-mail have contributed to the rapid growth in distance learning.

                Online learning occurs via an internet-based platform. The teacher sets up lessons and assignments ahead of time, and students complete them independently. Students work at their own pace based on the teacher's set due dates. This allows for student independence and reinforces student responsibility by placing the onus of work completion on the students. Other than that, Students can reach out to the teacher if they need assistance. Teachers are accessible to answer questions and respond to students' concerns. However, there may be a delay in response time, depending on when the teacher is logged in to the platform.

                Next, let’s look into what is face-to-face learning. Face-to-face learning is an instructional method where course content and learning material are taught in person to a group of students. This allows for a live interaction between a learner and an instructor. It is the most traditional type of learning instruction. Learners benefit from a greater level of interaction with their fellow students as well. In face-to-face learning, students are held accountable for their progress at the class’s specific meeting date and time. Face-to-face learning ensures a better understanding and recollection of lesson content and gives class members a chance to bond with one another. Face-to-face learning is essentially a teacher-centered method of education, and tends to vary widely among cultures.

                There are some characteristics that can differentiate face to face learning from online learning. One of it is learning occurs synchronously in real time. This allows students to ask questions and get immediate feedback. Often happens during class, when student need to ask question, they can ask right away to the lecturers and get the answer. Also, the student will understood more as the teacher can explain directly to them. Next, the teacher is the leader of the class, guiding students through lessons. This is beneficial because students get one-on-one guidance, and it allows for differentiated instruction based on students' needs. When the teacher is teaching in front of the class, the students can be more focus on the teacher and what they are learning. And the teacher can teach repeatedly and perform some demonstration in front of the class for the students to get better understanding. Other than that, the teacher and the students engage in personal communication daily. This permits teachers and students to forge relationships and build trust. By doing this, the teacher can examine their works and assignments and can detected who are in trouble in study. Thus, the teacher can focus on that particular student. Moreover, the students can properly talk to their teacher if they have any problems regarding their lessons.

                Online learning is a great alternative to traditional universities, especially for people who cannot afford the time and money to take real courses. It is turns out to be more and more practiced. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of online learning?

• ADVANTAGES OF ONLINE LEARNING

                The advantages of online learning are it offers flexibility. The students can attend their classes whenever they wanted.  Moreover, if they finished their homework quickly, they can manage to accomplish their hobbies or even finding a job. Participants can learn wherever they are, leaving them the freedom to choose their own time for study. Thus, students can properly manage their time to divide between hobbies and study. Most teachers offer students a pacing guide, which is an outline for how quickly the students should be progressing through the class.  As long as students stick to that schedule, at no point in the semester should they feel overwhelmed.  A flexible learning schedule does not mean you can wait until the last two weeks of the semester and turn in everything at one time.  This is problematic for a number of reasons.  It is stressful for the student and teacher, the student likely is not learning and retaining any of the information as they are rushing to complete all of the work at the end of the semester, and it does not allow the teacher to give feedback that the student can then grow from moving forward.  If students just set a schedule and move forward meeting those goals and deadlines, they will complete all work, grow from the experience, and feel far less stress at the end of the semester. Next, online learning can teach you to be self-discipline. An independent learner is not someone that does not need help from those around them, but it is someone that is active in the academic process. Independent learners take action, they think critically, they want to learn for themselves and use those around them as a resource to break through the problems they encounter in the educational process.  This is not a passive approach to education.  Independent learners look to learn from situations around them, they look to learn from people around them, and they never make the excuse that there is nothing to be gained from a situation, even if the situation is one they have experienced before. Other than that, online learning can reduces expenses. Students can learn with any device that is connected to the Internet. There is no need to rent a building or pay for expensive utility bills that are required to provide students with a learning facility. In addition, students and teachers will no longer commute to class, thereby saving their money as well. This helps you cut on expenses especially if you have a tight budget.

• DISADVANTAGES OF ONLINE LEARNING

                As we can see the advantages of online learning, there are also some disadvantages from online learning such as it required more time than face-to-face learning. Believe it or not? You will spend more time completing your assignment in online classes rather than traditional classes. Why does I say so? Because in order to communicate with your lecturers or other students to ask for questions or to explain things, you have to type your messages. And as we know, that typing is much more slower than speaking. Some might misunderstood your type of writing. Thus, it is harder to communicate to ask questions and such things. In addition, the responses to the question might have been some delay and we need to wait before we get the feedbacks. Unlike, face to face learning, which we can get the feedbacks right away. Next, online learning require good time management skills. An Internet-based course demands that you develop personal time-management skills. As with most things, if you do not manage your time properly, you will find yourself buried beneath a seeming insurmountable mountain of coursework. Online courses require the self-discipline to set aside chunks of time to complete your studies. It means you have to make online studying a priority and not let other activities interfere. Sometimes, it means making difficult choices. The most crucial disadvantages of online learning is Internet connection problems. When there is a problem with your internet system, online learning is impossible. There is nothing you can do. Slow connections are even worse. It is awful for people who are living in remote area because it is so difficult to find the internet connection. Some need to climb tree and some need to search for their internet connection far from their house. In this time, where everyone needs to learn through online, it is difficult for students that have no internet connection because they might get lost in the lesson and missed their lesson in order to find the right internet connection. It is more awful when it come to submitting assignments or there are tests that required Internet connection. Thus, we need to start providing full access of internet no matter if the area is remote or even in city. The internet connection needs to be stable, thus it can ease everyone.

• ADVANTAGES OF FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING

                We already discussed about the advantages and disadvantages of online learning. Now, let’s discuss about the advantages and disadvantages of face to face learning. One of the advantages of face to face learning is the learning session is more effective. Face to face teaching and learning is something that is essential for some people when it comes to effective learning. Face to face learning is effective because the students are only focused to the teacher in front of the class and listen to the lesson that being teach by the teacher without having disturbance. For example, in class there is no disturbance such as noises to make you lose focus on what you are learning. Thus, you will be able to concentrate harder on your learning because there will be less distraction than if you were at home. Other than that, ease of communication between the students and teachers. Students can gain greater understanding, stories and real-world examples from teachers and other students. Students get instant answers and interaction, as well as creating a support network with fellow students, the teacher and the training provider as a whole Also, they can access more information and richer understanding through teacher and other students’ body language and voice. For instance, when asking question in class, you will get the answer right away rather than waiting for the teacher to respond until we forgot what we asked before. Sometimes, the teacher already seen the messages from students but forgot to reply it, and the student to spam their teacher to get the reply. Besides that, face to face learning offers more interaction. A classroom environment offers students the opportunity to have face-to-face interactions with their peers and instructors. This is an added social benefit as well as an educational aid. Because students see the same peers in class every session, they get a chance to form friendships. In the case of higher learning, pupils can find potential lifelong professional connections. On the educational side, students get a chance to participate in a lecture or class discussion physically. If students do not understand something, they can always ask the instructor for clarification is always an option.

• DISADVANTAGES OF FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING

                As we all love face to face learning, there are also some disadvantages from face to face learning. One of it is face to face learning do not provide flexibility. A campus-based learning experience means the class schedule is predetermined and not subject to change. Students must shape their personal schedules around school instead of the other way around. If plans unexpectedly change or an emergency comes up, the student cannot adjust the class schedule to turn in the work at a different time. If a scheduling conflict arises between work and school, students are forced to choose between getting an education and getting a paycheck. In addition, face to face learning is not cost friendly. With classroom learning, students must physically attend the courses to get credit for attendance. Those who must travel long distances to get to school must allot enough time to arrive on time, particularly in instances in which inclement weather is involved. A long commute may also mean a spending more money on gas over a long period of time which, when combined with the cost of education, may present an issue to financially challenged students. Students also need to buy some textbooks in order to learn in class.

                Both method of learning have some advantages and disadvantages. However, the outcome is till the same which is to gain knowledge. In my opinion, I will choose face to face learning rather than online learning. Because I will be more focused when there is an instructor in front of me. In addition, the classroom are well designed and bring comfort at the heart of the learners away from disturbance that can make the students lose focus. When doing online learning, people are easily get distracted with noises or online classes can be a little boring because you can only listen to the lecturer. Moreover, feedbacks from lecturers are a bit slow thus we need to stay patient to wait for the answers. Another reason why I choose face to face learning is I do not have to spend much money on buying data. As a student, money is a bit difficult for me as I did not have a job. With online class, I have to spend more money, because without it, I cannot submit the assignments that assigned to me. Also, I cannot attend meeting that was held on Google Meet because it consumed a lot of data. Other than that, I live in rural area. The internet connection here are not that strong. Thus, when having a meeting through Google Meet, the connection was lagging and I could not listen carefully of what the lecturers said during the lesson. In face to face learning, even I have to spend a little money on transportation, but I think it is worth it. You can have discussion with your friends easier and you can ask any enquiries to the lecturers right away.

                In conclusion, in this modern era, we have to combine between online learning and face to face learning. This can make us a student who are well established and ready to get through the modern development that occurs around us. Students also need to suit themselves with online learning. The universities authorities can apply hybrid learning or also known as blended learning. Blended learning combines classroom learning with online learning, in which students can, in part, control the time, pace, and place of their learning. For example, a teacher who traditionally creates a handout with a series of comprehension questions could, instead, post a discussion question online using a discussion board or discussion platform. Online learning should be seen as a complement and extension of classical forms of learning. Not even the best online course can fully replace the personal contact with a teacher, or the human relationships that develop in a group. So, traditional classes should not be replaced with online learning.