As schools and universities adapt to an increasingly digital world, the debate over the effectiveness of online classes versus in-person learning has never been more pressing.
Technology offers more flexibility and convenience, while traditional classrooms provide more structure and personal interaction. So, which format creates the best learning experience and should we continue to embrace virtual learning or prioritize the in-person classroom?
Online learning became a symbol of the COVID-19 pandemic, as many students and faculty had to adjust to new ways to not only learn but teach as well. Teachers, without much warning, had to find new ways to keep their students engaged, while students were tempted to fall asleep during lectures they listened to from home.
The university continues to offer online classes and students now have the choice of taking a course online vs in-person. This raises the question of whether students prefer taking an online course over an in-person course.
Nick Palazzo, a film production and media entrepreneurship major said, “I prefer in person, then online, then last asynchronous. I think it’s not a bad idea to still offer online classes, but they should try to move back towards majority in-person.”
Palazzo also said online classes are not motivating.
“When I’m in an online class, I don’t feel like I’m even in class,” he said. “Being home or in my dorm, an online class makes me have zero urge to take notes. You lose that sense of connection with the professor as well.”
Alvin Diaz Rivera, a music and sound recording major, said the success of online learning “depends on the course, if there’s a professor or material with which I’d like to engage then definitely in person.”
However, Rivera is not a fan of asynchronous courses.
“I hate asynchronous courses; they render the intangible aspects of learning largely voided,” he said. “It is useless. It is a lot easier to concentrate in an environment dedicated to learning, and asynchronous can’t always replicate that as we all learned through COVID. If college were only online, society would need a reset.”
Mia Park, a biomedical engineering major said, “I prefer in-person classes. However, I think that colleges should still offer online classes as an option. This makes college more accessible for everyone.”
“I am less motivated and have more distractions when doing work for online classes. You are held less accountable; it is easier to get behind,”Park said.
For some students, in-person learning is more effective, but do professors feel the same way?
J.W. Stewart, a sport management professor, says he prefers teaching in person.
“In the in-person classes I teach, student participation is a big deal,” said Stewart. “So, I make it a point to call on every student at least once a class to give them an opportunity to participate.”
Stewart said he thinks online courses will always be offered, which is no surprise considering we all learned how to take classes online during the pandemic.
“However, the pandemic proved we also missed being in person with our friends and our professors. In my opinion, there is no substitute for learning in person,”said Stewart.
Natalie Chavoya, practitioner in residence in the communication, film, and media studies department said, “Usually, I prefer teaching in person classes. However, I have taught writing for the media both in person and online, and I believe that class works best as an online class.”
She tells students, when they register for classes, “to know your strengths and weaknesses as a student. If you had difficulties with online classes before then maybe in person classes are where you work best.”
In 2020, students at The University of New Haven filed a class action breach-of-contract lawsuit, which alleged that COVID-19 shutdowns on campus entitled them to a tuition refund for the remote semester. The lawsuit was settled for $2.3 million.
University officials released a statement after the lawsuit concluded that said, “The conclusion of this matter enables us to ensure our focus is solely on investing in resources that support the success of our students in and out of the classroom.”
The future of education may not be about choosing one format over the other but rather finding the right mix that serves students and educators. Whether behind a screen or in a classroom, the goal remains the same: to create an environment where learning thrives.
