Face-to-face Learning or Online? (2021)

Consolation in SIM Write & Win National Essay Competition

Face-to-face Learning or Online?

Written by Jasmine Tan Sze Min

Generations after generations of students from all walks of life are accustomed to the ways of the traditional brick-and-mortar education system. As we spend half of the day relishing moments with wonderful peers and teachers, our school unknowingly becomes our second home. Built like a garden of knowledge, everyone can flexibly switch between the roles of educator and learner to promote a flourish growth in our limited mortal lifespan. However, the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic has brought our world down to its knees, severely deterring students’ learning progress. The flowers start to wilt, until a new seed is brought to light: online learning, a highly sought-after solution in the recent years. Despite admitting that it does have its plus points and beguiling aspects, I personally reap the most benefits of face-to-face learning.

Humans are naturally social animals who crave interactions and physical engagements with one another. We thrive in them to reach success and happiness as one’s energy is contagious. In class, peers help to keep us in check and search the fun in studies like sunlight from cracks between clouds. In online learning, there is not a single crack. A solid barrier is in between all of us – the screen. Driven apart, students start slipping away from the usual study pace. They may even mysteriously ‘disappear’ from days of lessons. Where a space of liveliness and laughter is, now lays a void of unopened cameras and muted microphones. Distractions, messy sleep schedules and overall assignment disorganization are also students’ enemies to combat during online learning. The longer we stay at home, the more welcoming we are towards an old friend: procrastination.

Being frequently online is also leading to the deterioration of students’ health. Our body is a fortress. Once it starts crumbling, our learning progress will be severely hindered. Personally, I have experienced going to a hospital due to the declining of health during online learning. We wake up to screens to attend both classes and co-curriculum activities. In the long run, our brain activity will be disrupted, stirring up headaches and vertigos. We will feel more under the weather too when the basking of digital blue light strains our eyes, which is a frequent issue now that we have to complete assignments and check important notices online. In terms of mental health, some students may stress over the demotivation to study without the supervision of teachers. This is especially close to reality for students who need immense guidance and support from teachers to solve difficult problems. Teachers can no longer respond at the very second and provide instant gratifications without having to manage their family matters too.

As the saying goes, “seeing is learning”, the diversity of human beings will induce different learning style for every student. However, most of us learn best by hands-on because we are actively engaging with the learning materials. By eradicating real-life demonstrations of in-lab experiments, we lose opportunities to discover the phenomenal changes hovering over our scientific world. We also lose chances to be more in touch with teachers, who are always there to explain learning materials according to our personal understanding. They serve as torchbearers with their self-enrichment talks and encouragements for students to genuinely perform well in school. Not to mention that their random ‘pop quiz’ in class can magically enhance a student’s memory so we do not get a detention! No matter how the paradigm of our world shifts, no robots or applications can ever replace teachers, for they are the greatest heroes who unite all young generations to seek for more in education.

In a nutshell, online learning may have taken physical classes by storm but it can never suffuse out face-to-face learning as my best choice to study. Social engagement is a powerful tool for training soft skills and refining human relationships. There is never a day I do not miss my friends or teachers, where I am free to share laughter and tears in my story of growing independently into one of my beloved country’s future leaders. 2021 calendars are slowly drifting to its end, yet the passing of time is like silk through fingers. We lost chances to make more memories with graduated seniors and new friends, but in all sincerity, I hope we can go back to face-to-face learning. We deserve an engaging learning environment before we move out from the garden of knowledge and get lost in the forest of society.

(737 words)