Study Finds That Online Education Beats the Classroom

[Capt Caveman]

Actually, anything beats classroom learning. Classroom learning is the least effective and efficient method of teaching. The best is one on one with a private tutor. But generally, only the well off can afford such.

Asimov's point in the above video is that the internet and online education has the potential to allow any student to learn at his own pace and with the functional equivalent of a private tutor. Note that he recomends this in addition to regular classroom learning, although the benefit of that is primarily for the social aspect.

You mean to include medical, biology, chemistry, etc students?

Online and private tutoring can not replace all in class education. A single example - I developed my public presentation skills presenting and defending a business plan in front of a panel of venture capitalist and 100 students/faculty. A skill I used daily at work. Performing the same presentation online or in front of a private tutor wouldn't provide the same experience.

 

[Atreus21]

I just can not see that. A few years ago I took an online course, and when I had a question, there was nobody to ask. I ended up dropping the class because I could not get any help with stuff I did not understand.

It appeared to me that online courses were setup for people who have a perfect understanding of the subject matter. If you had a perfect understanding, you would not be taking the course to start with.

My experience differs. I took an online course from a brick and mortar university, and I learned more in general than I did in any classroom. The work was more intense, and I liked not having to attend lectures and being able to do the work at my pace.

I hope the stigma surrounding online degrees falls.

 

[Atreus21]

You mean to include medical, biology, chemistry, etc students?

Online and private tutoring can not replace all in class education. A single example - I developed my public presentation skills presenting and defending a business plan in front of a panel of venture capitalist and 100 students/faculty. A skill I used daily at work. Performing the same presentation online or in front of a private tutor wouldn't provide the same experience.

I would also include almost any arts class in your list. Music especially.