Change is inevitable; don’t you agree? There was a time when hand-written letters were the most sophisticated way of distance communication. Now, we have video chats with our friends and family like it’s no big deal. The education sector has not gone through as much change as the communication sector. However, with the introduction of technology in education, the traditional means of learning are slowly losing its relevance.
The advancement in education technology (edutech) is now changing the structure of the education sector. With smart-classes, online lectures, peer-to-peer learning, and other digitized means of learning, it is now possible to facilitate quality education for all. But does it mean that traditional education has no value in today’s date? Or does it still hold the key to academic success? Let’s find out.
What is traditional education?
Traditional education has no specific definition, as it often varies per location and time. Basically, any form of education that focuses on the established methods of teaching can be considered as traditional education. There’s a significant cultural and social influence on the traditional education of a region. Even though the world is leaning towards the digitization of education industry, traditional means are still the primary source of education in most part of the world.
What does digitization of education have to offer?
There’s no denying the fact that smart classrooms, the introduction of AI and machine learning in education, peer-to-peer learning, mobile learning, micro-learning, etc. can facilitate a better learning environment for individual students. And since these advanced means of education prioritize personalized learning, students have better chances of gaining more knowledge at their own pace. It is quite clear that these advanced means of learning are designed to ensure quality learning for every student.
Significance of traditional education in 2019
If you are given the options to either visit a library to gather research material for a topic or access the internet to find the necessary information – you’ll choose the second option, won’t you? Well, I would have done the same, given the fact that searching the internet is way more convenient than looking for the same piece of information in a library.
However, the library has something that the internet can never fully achieve – authenticity. Similarly, traditional education has certain advantages over digitized learning that make it still relevant in today’s date. In fact, it won’t be wrong to say that traditional education still holds the key to success for an individual. I have some facts that support this statement.
#1. Traditional education offers active learning opportunities
Traditional classrooms offer an active mode of learning. Students can not only be physically present in the classroom to learn the lessons directly from the teachers but can also enjoy active participation in the learning process.
Moreover, students are encouraged to solve academic problems within the classroom under the supervision of the teacher. While it may seem challenging for the students, it actually helps to improve their problem-solving abilities.
If students are given the liberty to access the internet and smart devices while solving the problems, they often rely too much on the internet or an assignment helper online. So, their individual skills don’t develop as much as they are supposed to.
#2. Traditional education provides social advantage
Traditional classroom education has always focused on offering the same learning opportunities to all the students in the class. It may not have given priority to personalized learning for individuals, but it has introduced the students to a diverse population of their age from an early point of their lives.
A diverse population encourages children to develop tolerant and accepting attitudes towards others. Online schools or homeschooling may have the potential to deliver quality education to individual students. However, it lacks the opportunity for children to learn alongside a community of other children.
American educational reformer, John Dewey once stated that school is primarily a social institution. And traditional education gives you all the more reason to believe in that. Sharing the classroom with hundreds of other students not only promotes teamwork but also teaches the students several life lessons which become the stepping stones on their road to success.
#3. Traditional education encourages discipline
Asking online tutors to “do my assignment” when you are having a time crunch may help you maintain a standard of your academic performance. But making it a habit can have an adverse effect on your career. When students are given the liberty to use online resources without any restrictions, they often tend to avail advantage of that. So they grow up to be undisciplined says Hank William, educational consultant at Myassignmenthelp.
Attending a traditional classroom teaches a student how to carry out their homework as per the schedule. Students also become more disciplined while attending a traditional school. Moreover, traditional education encourages timeliness, which is one of the keys to success in both academic and professional career.
Besides, when a student gets to interact with others, it broadens his/her perspective about life. Also, the student learns to respect others’ opinions. These may be small things, but they gradually bring a person closer to success.
#4. Traditional education improves communication skills of students
Traditional education focuses on the active participation of the students in various activities. So, even if a child is an introvert, he/she is encouraged to engage in these activities. This certainly helps to boost the confidence of the students.
Moreover, interacting with classmates and taking part in the student-teacher interaction help the students improve their communication skills. In today’s date, where everyone is highly qualified, having extraordinary communication skills can help an individual get closer to success.
Online courses and other digital learning platforms may offer personalized learning, but they lack these simple things that help students improve their communication skills. Also, writing on paper with pen/pencil improves a student’s creativity, which computer typing often lacks.
#5. Traditional education comes with a support system
Traditional education doesn’t just evaluate a student’s knowledge but also focuses on the overall growth of the student. If a student needs special attention or speech therapy, the public schools often provide the necessary support to the child at no cost.
Moreover, students get scholarships, counselling support and lots of other assistance in the traditional education system, which help the students move further in achieving their career goals.
Most online courses and digital learning means do not offer such support to students. Even if a course offers any support, it will not be free of cost.
Conclusion
If you look at the most successful people of our times, you will see that none of them had smart classrooms or mobile learning in their childhood. Most of them have attended the traditional education system and found success in their own way. Even though the digital means of learning do have a plethora of benefits to offer, traditional education still holds the key to success if you know where to look.
