Compiled by Rabab Khan and Huda Tabrez, Community Journalists
From books to word documents and libraries to Google, education is cruising along the internet highway. Online tutoring is gaining popularity and pupils now have the option to study from their homes. E-learning has an edge over traditional education when it comes to the sheer amount of online resources available for pupils to avail. But, the lack of social interaction and exposure cannot be ignored. Can online tutoring ever take over a 'real time' classroom? Or are traditional schools impossible to replace? How can pupils balance the technological options available with the good old style of teaching?
Online tutoring is highly beneficial for pupils who cannot get individual attention in a classroom.
I do not think online tutoring is necessary, because pupils are already learning in their respective classrooms. The problem is not with the class or the subject; it is, in fact, with pupils themselves. There are other pupils and the teacher cannot pay special attention to a specific pupil. They should work harder and improve their skills.
– Ebrahim Saeedi
Dubai
Being in a classroom is all about learning, and having a personal experience while you are at it. A pupil-teacher relationship is very important, since it enables the teacher to be aware of one's needs and weaknesses. With online tutoring, if pupils get a question wrong, they would not be able to correct their mistake. However, in a classroom environment a teacher will easily be able to assist the child.
– Anila Zia
Dubai
Some pupils learn slowly, while others may not have parental help at home and may be unable to cope with the pace at which the syllabus is being taught. To cater to high performers, teachers may sometimes ignore these pupils. In this sense, e-tutoring can be a good support to classroom studies.
– Subhasis Mukherjee
Dubai
The idea of online learning brings forth serious conflicts in comparison to the traditional study version. In the long run, e-learning can lead to a completely different attitude. It is difficult to pursue better standards of education, as pupils attending schools are involved in extracurricular activities, which allows them to identify their skills. Lastly, a traditional classroom environment permits interactivity.
– Farhana Zaman
Dubai
It is not useful, as it would not match the material being taught in class.
Online learning provides a flexible environment for pupils, where they can learn on their own. In a classroom setting, there is no individual focus on a child, since there are many pupils within each class. In e-learning, however, there can be many pupils and yet they can focus on each material at their own pace. The fact that the material is not the same should not make a difference.
– Imran Rafique
Abu Dhabi
Most of the online tutoring websites are not up-to-date. In regular classrooms, the course material changes almost every day, based on time constraints. The teaching styles may also vary. Online tutoring might be useful for pupils who want to focus on something specific. Pupils attending school can take help from material available on the Web, but should not rely on it entirely.
– Ali Pervez
Ajman
Online tutoring may be convenient, but it is definitely not advisable as the only source of education. In school and universities, it is a challenge for the professors to come up with course material. There is extensive research involved, and the material presented in class is reliable. However, material available on the internet is ready information, and is not updated for pupils' understanding.
– Sonia Delacruz
Abu Dhabi
Regardless of the fact that it is online tutoring, a pupil will be able to learn from it. I personally believe it is the best solution for pupils who are unable to cope with the stress of a classroom setting. The internet is very helpful for pupils in regular classrooms as well, and almost everything is available online. The basic information for any topic exists on the internet, and anyone can find it if they are interested.
– Joy Jaramillo
Abu Dhabi
Children miss out on the social development associated with learning in a classroom.
As pupils are being exposed to lesser direct communication, they gradually lose their ability to communicate with others. Every day pupils go to school and learn not only from books but also from their friends and teachers. Online education may be the future of education, but it needs to incorporate all these aspects to provide a holistic learning experience.
– Daler Hakimov
Dubai
It is very important to attend classes because children cannot always learn on their own. Their social skills can get affected and going to school can have a major influence on the personality of a child. It teaches them social interaction. Also, they develop their own perception as they see how people react to them.
– Maysam Khorram
Dubai
Online learning may be useful for children who are unable to attend school, but it can have a very negative impact on their social skills. It is only when they attend schools that they learn their lessons in social behaviour. If they only sit in front of a computer, and learn from the material provided, they will never be able to learn those basic lessons in behaviour.
– Abdul Hakeem
Dubai
Pupils learn so many lessons by attending school that can never be provided through online tutoring. By being a part of a group and participating in projects and competitions they learn the values of leadership and team building. But, with only the computer to teach them, the direct link that is established in traditional forms of education is absent.
– Aisha Zia
Dubai
Parents should view online tutoring as a support to traditional education rather than as a replacement.
Online education can be good for extra help, as pupils can always use it to support their studies. But, I don't think e-tutoring — on its own — will work well. That is because it doesn't answer all your personal questions. Also, you lose on the social interaction and experience. Parents should set strict rules at home, to make sure children do not waste too much time and use the computer to their benefit.
– Elizabeth Gunn
Dubai
Online education will provide more information to children, as it is easy, convenient, cheap and highly informative. But it will never replace the traditional form of education. So, parents should try to avoid letting children study online all the time and make sure there is a balance of both. Pupils can add more value to their education by studying online and connecting with young people from around the world.
– Mihaela Dumitru
Dubai
Face-to-face education allows tutors to communicate directly with pupils. This allows them to look at the reactions and modulate their answers for the benefit of the pupil. However, through e-tutoring, it is only an exchange of question and answer that does not allow the pupil to express himself or herself as well as they would like.
– Sarina Pyarali
Dubai
Online education can never replace traditional education, but should be viewed more as an add-on. The technology may help pupils learn better. Especially since children are interested in using such technology, the internet and other IT support will be more interesting for them than their textbooks. – Deepak Venugopal
Ajman