Face-to-face Learning: Benefits, Advantages and Disadvantages

Face-to-face learning is an instructional method where course content and learning material are taught in person to a group of students.

This allows for a live interaction between a learner and an instructor. It is the most traditional type of learning instruction.

Learners benefit from a greater level of interaction with their fellow students as well. In face-to-face learning, students are held accountable for their progress at the class’s specific meeting date and time. Face-to-face learning ensures a better understanding and recollection of lesson content and gives class members a chance to bond with one another.

Face-to-face learning is essentially a teacher-centered method of education, and tends to vary widely among cultures. Many modern education systems have largely shifted away from traditional face-to-face forms of educational instruction, in favor of individual students’ needs.

Advantages of Face to Face Learning in the Classroom

• You'll be able to concentrate harder on your learning because there’ll be less distraction than if you were at home.

• You can gain greater understanding, stories and real-world examples from teachers and other students

• You have a greater chance of completing your course successfully by doing it in a classroom situation. (Completion rate of teacher-led classes is almost 5x higher than that of on line learning)

• You may feel more comfortable and learn more easily in a familiar, traditional classroom situation.

• You can access more information and richer understanding through teacher and other students’ body language and voice.

• You have the opportunity to connect with, problem-solve, and network with other students from a wide range of backgrounds.

Disadvantages of face-to-face Learning

• The lecturer only has a certain amount of time to get through subjects. If you cannot keep up with the rest of the class, you will have to schedule extra classes, which could cost you extra money.
• Due to time constraints in class, the lecturer cannot answer each and every student’s questions. 
• You will have to carry your textbooks to class every day. They tend to be heavy.
• If you forget a textbook or your class notes at home, you will either have to get along without it, or ask a fellow student to share his/her books with you. 
• Face-to-face tuition can be quite expensive. 
• Textbooks are rarely included in the course price, which means you will have to pay for it out of your own pocket. Extra expenses. 
• You will have to spend additional money on travelling and secure parking.
• Face-to-face classes are at set times. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to book an extra class to catch up.
• Classes vary from early morning to afternoons. If you have a day-time job or other responsibilities, it might not fit into your schedule.

What is the difference between face-to-face learning and online learning?

If we take account of online vs. face-to-face learning, we can underline essential differences.  

The online model emphasizes an interactive learning environment designed to create a dialogue between instructor and students and among students themselves. The online process requires both instructor and students to take active roles, which are more highlighted. The instructor should facilitate activities that engage students directly rather than relying too heavily on lectures and memorization.

If you want to become an online tutor, then you need to take into account some differences. 

Online vs. face-to-face learning brings importance to highlighting some crucial features of face-to-face learning, which are different in online learning. 

1. Different settings of tutoring
2. The necessity for basic digital skills
3. Ready to answer more questions

The online tutor should be open, more concerned than in traditional classrooms, and flexible. Online vs. face-to-face learning shows that there is enough physical presence in face-to-face learning, and an online instructor must compensate for the lack of physical presence.

An online instructor needs to work on creating a healthy and interactive virtual classroom. 

Important notice to all who want to be aware and understand what it means online vs. face-to-face learning. Especially those people who would like to switch from offline to online instruction and become online tutors. 

Failure to do the steps presented above can alienate the class both from each other and the instructor and make for a fragile learning environment. You can choose LRNKEY and start your online effective journey. 

Where can I study face-to-face courses?

• Damelin College
• Northlink College
• Boston College
• Prestige Academy
• University of Cape Town
• University of Stellenbosch
• University of Pretoria
• University of Free State
• North West University

Why is online learning better than face-to-face learning?

Well, online learning stands out with its benefits and convenience. The efficacy of face-to-face and online learning was compared by Solimeno et al. (2008). 

The results presented that learning online can increase professional competencies commonly acquired only in small face-to-face educational settings;  that online learning can be used to provide innovative opportunities to fit the particular needs of learners who have time management problems in their learning strategies, with low anxiety, high problem-solving rates.

Online learning is beneficial for people who might overcome geographical, economic, or healthy obstacles. Such as having difficulties moving physically or living in small rural areas, where face-to-face instruction will be complicated to find. That is why online platforms are one of the best places to learn to code or learn more about IT skills. There are so many online lessons; you can even learn to crochet online or take guitar classes. 

To present online vs. face-to-face learning and show why online learning is better than face-to-face learning, let’s point out key competencies.

• Convenience: For online classes, you need access to the internet, and it does not matter where you are
• Green Innovation: Online classes are greener, as we do not need pen, paper and are connected to E-books.
• Outreach: Gives more opportunities to explore and reach new methods of learning
• Savings: You save money on your transportation or eating outside, or buying paper books and materials. In other words, online learning doesn’t require extra expenses rather than paying for your class.