Virtual Learning Environment and Traditional Learning Environment (Essay Sample)

Virtual Learning Environment and Traditional Learning Environment
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Introduction
The advancement of technological revolution, truly reminiscent in the modern-day advanced personal computers and laptops, coupled with exponential expansion of internet throughout the world has expedited many humanistic process. Learning is possibly one of the, if not the, most important of them all. The emergence of Virtual Learning Environment (VLE, henceforth), a paragon of technological innovation, has enabled and continues to enable millions of students to have access to the state of the art facilities for learning and/or acquiring knowledge. Many educational institutions have accepted this form of education as one of the productive ways through which any student can acquire a degree or diploma. Recognizing its productive capacities many institutes have started to procure through its VLE programs. Basically, VLE can aptly be categorized as “learning anywhere and anytime.” Over the years, technology has enabled millions of researchers and teachers to garner knowledge irrespective of any subject by evolving a plethora of applicable apex application and software's (Posey, 2010). In the light of this development, there is now an increasing recognition to make the learning as formal and realistic as possible by incorporating features symbolic of any classroom. However, VLE has also received more than a fair share of criticism in that it is not the right approach or way for learning especially at the novice stage. The debate still reigns if VLE has the ability and the capacity to replace Traditional Learning Environment (TLE, henceforth) altogether. Having said that, randomly choosing one over other will be crass. Hence, it is essential to be aware of the costs of benefits of TLE vis-à-vis VLE and then come to a sound judgement. An assessment of the pros and cons may will also help the subject to conclusively decide one over the other based on one's tastes, budget and other factors (Arslan and Kaysi 2013).
Advantages and Disadvantages of VLE vis-à-vis TLE – A Critical Exploration
The popularity of online learning emanates from a number of important consideration which add greatly to the convenience of learner. Any prospective interaction in a VLE is not enforced mandatorily and is text-based and there is no need of any adherence to a fixed time to learn. The recorded lectures are like any standard college lecture and the student can avail it irrespective of geographic location. The student has the freedom to take break from the lecture and can come back refreshed at his/her discretion. It provides flexibility in learning which is not possible in a traditional learning setting of a college or school. All of these components combined make for a great learning process. Or does it? It is a million dollar question and one on which a budding multi-million dollar education industry is contingent upon. Let me emphasize, at the outset, that there are no clear-cut definitive answers to this question. It depends on range of factors to which there is no objectivity and relies heavily on socio-economic situations of the individual. Having said that, there is a clear bifurcation in the manner in which both VLE and TLS imparts and conceives education and its pedagogy. There are a number of definitive explicit and other consideration that can help us probe in deciphering as to if VLE or TLE is better (Kumar, 2010).
There are a number of vital limitation in a VLE form of education which, if considered at face value, can impede education's quality. It is devoid of any form of student-teacher interaction which is as essential prerequisite of student's growth and a development as a learner. Also, there is no possibility of peer interaction which is, without doubt, the most influential factor for learning any (challenging) concept. There is also a possibility that the real message of any lesson not being delivered properly or, for that matter, being understood inadequately by the subject. In fact, there are added costs and risks if the students fails to catch the real and intended meaning of a lecture. These repercussions and detriments, essentially, of VLE are not implicit or hidden at all and can deter serious students from engaging in it. On the other hand, a classroom with numerous students of varying intelligence level sitting together and being taught by a capable professor is typically what traditional learning environment is. This traditional setting allows for uninhibited flow and exchange of ideas, views, and understanding among each other and from students to teachers as well. Professors persistently encourage students to raise their queries, doubts and confusion which is then resolved immediately. With their being no communication barrier, the process of learning becomes more of a dialogue and not a monologue, as is the case of VLE form of education (Kokemuller, 2016). This empowering environment for learning will greatly facilitate any incompetent student or students lacking proper clear-cut understanding and knowledge to acquire conceptual understanding by participating actively and with interest in the classroom. Also, proper schedule of classes in a TLE form of education also instills a sense of discipline and seriousness into the student's psyche. Regular class tests, quizzes, seminars and conference keeps them updated of their current level of understanding of the subject and gives them unambiguous insights on their weakness. Given these points, it will encourage dedicated students committed to learning to gain immensely by undergoing a suitable training and to take up doctoral studies. However, one can argue that this structured approach to learning provides lack of flexibility and discretion to the student and can also become burdensome which might take away or denigrate the eagerness to learn any subject. This is to say that the students in the VLE have to motivated and self-driven so as to learn the concepts and timely submit the assignments. This, of course, helps students whose intelligence level are above normal (Arkorful and Abaidoo, 2014).
Moreover, there are a number of potential precarious social dimension to the issue of VLE education that cannot be ignored. A VLE education also carries with it the risk that it may be duped. There are innumerable examples of such cases in the media lately. A society which sees education as a business or one which can be exploited to garner profit will only degrade the quality of social institutions in the long-run. Needless to say, negligence on the part of the authorities to recognize will inevitably have unfavorable and damaging consequences to the social fabric society. Hence, any prospective student should do a proper research of the accreditation of the university or the school offering degree/s online before committing to it officially. The again, there are some specific subjects which cannot be taught online and it requires personal full-time participation and dedication on the part of the students. The most prominent example is that of a medical degree. Other subjects such as law, marketing, strategy also cannot be studied in isolation. Proper understanding of intricacies comes only by engaging with professors. Further, it is very important to ascertain the quality of the program that is being offered. Spending heavily for an insignificant degree for which there is no value in the market can beset an individual's career. The prospect of online platform providing education at the primary or secondary level has been criticized heavily. This basis of such criticism is that younger students can be more effectively and efficiently trained within the confines of school and/or classroom than by learning sitting at home. The formative years o...