The limits of traditional education have been exposed during the terrible pandemic that has spread throughout the world. The difficulty of giving face to face classes and the establishment of a normality that requires social distancing are of great concern to the educational system, which already has its thoughts set not only on normalizing the present, but also on preparing for tomorrow.
Naturally, only those centers that are equipped with eLearning technology have the capacity and versatility to combine face-to-face and online methodologies easily, depending on the circumstances. And we are no longer just talking about in the advent of a pandemic, but also about the flexibility of offering alternative timetables or attracting students who do not live near a center.
The romanticism of traditional face-to-face classes has obvious problems that are preventing the acceptance of all the educational potential that the latest technologies for training can add.
Let’s look at the advantages of both models.
Advantages of studying with the traditional model
The University of Potomac (Washington, Virginia and Illinois, University of Potomac) in its article “Top 6 advantages of traditional education” explains the importance of this method. Among the benefits that stand out are: direct contact with teachers, and with other colleagues (socialization), access to libraries and other resources, organized schedules and extracurricular activities. Although some of the advantages they indicate could be debatable, it is clear that direct contact with students is the great benefit of this methodology, but this is changing.
Advantages of eLearning
#1 Flexibility for studying: students impose their own rhythm
The traditional classroom lags behind. Classroom walls are completely dissolved and students can study and revise anywhere: at home, on the subway, on the bus, while walking … there are no limits to connecting from your computers or mobile devices and accessing your learning material.
#2 Face-to-face classes, but online
Face-to-face classes can be carried out by videoconference. Dexway virtual classrooms allow language teaching in an environment which has been specifically designed for remote language teaching: virtual whiteboard, projection of materials, session recording, file store, chat, permission moderation, attendance record and notes. All this cannot be achieved with video call software which is unable to save session information or record it in the educational platform and therefore use it to enrich its statistics.
#3 Adaptation to circumstances
Having the appropriate tools allows you to adopt a blended learning model in which you can convene and dismiss face-to-face or online classes according to your needs. The personalized delivery of communications, the ease of use of Dexway eLearning tools and online support content are all you need for blended teaching.
#4 Self-assessment: less time for correcting homework assignments
Much of teachers’ time is taken up by correcting activities and tests. With interactive eLearning content, the results are obtained in real time and with feedback so that the student can know what they have failed and reviewed in the moment, and not weeks later, which can mean repetition of errors and possible problems with later tests.
#5 Online communities
Socialization can also be encouraged in online or blended courses through the use of online communities with chats, forums, message threads, study groups. Dexway courses can incorporate student communities (typical of the center or global) where students meet to share questions or simply connect with their classmates.
Blended learning can combine the advantages of both models to offer students much more effective learning strategies, thanks to our educational technology, without neglecting the social part of traditional education. Our SCORM Blended / Online packs offer you courses designed for a blended approach.