The New York Times recently reported the Department of Education’s findings that “[on] average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction.” I am taking a few online courses this summer. I tend to agree with the DoE, but the applicability of its findings depends on a variety of factors, among them the course in question and the type of student taking the online course.

Online courses can vary in length, types of material covered, and student assesment methods. Online courses during the summer typically last only eight weeks, depending on the institution offering the course. In the fall and spring, they last 18 weeks. The more time someone has to take the class, more material it will generally cover. In addition, the longer courses will be more in-depth, so that the student can truly comprehend and apply the information in real life. It would be beneficial to take a longer course so that cramming and just filling in a bubble is not all that is focused on.

The type of material covered can make an online course more difficult. For example, a student taking a calculus course on his or her own, without prior knowledge of the subject, would struggle. In biology classes, labs would not necessarily be part of the picture, but the discipline eventually requires physical application of knowledge. Having the hands-on experience can make students realize that what is read in the textbook is important — not just words  to be read and highlighted. What one does now affects others later. I would much rather have a doctor who excelled in medical school and graduated with honors, than one who was on academic probation for a couple semesters.

The statement from the Times might just be based on test scores, and yet in many online courses, the students are not required to go to a separate facility to have their testing monitored. Others allow the students to take tests at any time, and in the comfort of their own homes. There, they can use their textbooks and class notes, or even seek online “help” using Google. When you compare this to a traditional course, in which most have multiple choice or essay formats based only on the knowledge you have acquired from attending lecture, the results will vary drastically.

Any student would prefer to take an exam with the help of a textbook and other items. But the purpose of a test is to see what students has learned and evaluate what the must improve so that they can walk away from that course with a grade earned with integrity. Some textbooks — and some instructors — are hard to understand, but in this age of ever-improving and evolving technology, we do not need to rely fully on paper, pens and people.

Online sources offer an unquestionable bounty of resources. Used properly, they can help students perform better. Web-based videos, online chats, threaded discussions and quizzes make courses well-rounded. These tools give students a novel break from note-taking. The presentation and notes have key charts and figures that are not messy and crammed on a paper.

Online chats make courses more social, helping participants to enrich their points of view. Sometimes in classes with a couple hundred students, we are not able to get the one-on-one face time with others or discuss the material. In the chat room, discussion is welcome.

Registering with online companion websites allows students to do interactive assignments. They commonly provide flashcards and supplemental videos as well. Professors post printable PowerPoints which students can use as they follow along with audio narration. All of these tools help students, whether they are visual or auditory learners. Electronic flashcards can help students memorize key terms. As  vocabulary pops up on the screen, recalling it becomes second nature. 

Whether you are looking at a screen or a whiteboard, learning is learning. The traditional classroom should not be pushed aside, as it can offer a different kind of learning experience; the same can be said about online methods. What makes the difference is the knowledge that the students gain.