One of the questions I’m often asked is if I find it easier to teach online than in a traditional classroom. For me, I don’t find teaching online to be easier – sure there are advantages (and disadvantages) but in many ways teaching online and teaching in a traditional classroom are very different. There are parts that are more challenging in each setting, as well as aspects that I prefer in each setting as well.
I started my career in a traditional classroom and when I first began teaching, online education was just beginning. Because of my traditional classroom education and training, there are parts of teaching in a brick and mortar classroom that feel like riding a bike – no matter how long I’m away, it comes back as soon as I’m in front of the class. Lecturing, pacing the classroom, projecting my voice, and student interactions all come easily to me. I think this is due both to my background and to the fact that I’m a natural born teacher – both my mother and my father were teachers – and I think some aspects of teaching are just in my blood.
Some of these traits naturally carry over into an online classroom as well. When a person has genuine care for their students, this shows no matter if the platform is online or a brick and mortar classroom.
I think this question probably varies based on the individual. Some people are natural teachers and are going to be great teachers no matter what the perimeters. No matter what the obstacles or challenges, they will find a way to reach students and to make learning a priority within the classroom. For others, teaching online is always going to be more difficult due to technology issues, the learning curve of a constantly changing online environment, and the less evolved student/teacher interactions. Others may shy away from a traditional classroom – perhaps more introverted but academic types – making the anonymity of online teaching perfect for them. In the online classroom, contact with students is shielded by computer screens, allowing instructors to focus more on the materials, grading, etc.
Luckily, I’m an interesting mix of both types and feel I can handle either a traditional classroom or an online classroom with relative ease after 6 years respectively in each environment. For me, neither online nor traditional teaching is “easier” per say – just different. There are parts of each that I like better – and there are parts that seem easier as well. For example, I much prefer student interaction in the traditional environment – it’s much easier to see if students understand concepts and material, to get to know the student’s personally, etc. However, I love the online environment for it’s seamlessness – students who are motivated to learn will do so and the instructor can serve in more of a facilitator role.
Ultimately, I think it depends on the personality and the abilities of the instructor as to whether traditional or online teaching is a better fit.
About the Author
Jamie Weitl is a WAHM teaching for several online universities and raising three precocious little ones. In her spare time she enjoys writing, baking, and running. For more info, see my Google Plus Profile.
