Dr. Young Experts have long debated the effectiveness of distance learning. Of course, a lot has changed since the internet came around. Actually, today’s virtual classes are almost the same as being on campus; you can speak with classmates and teachers, share documents in real time, and so on. Yet, some people still think that distance learning is inferior to being on-site. Do you think online learning provides the same quality education as physical classes? (73) | Ella: The way I see it, learning is up to the learner, not the location of the lesson. As long as students have the same access to the materials and teachers as those on campus, they have no excuse when it comes to performance. In that case, distance education should be seen as equal because the students end up with the same knowledge and qualifications. (64) |
| Miguel: I think people underestimate the impact community has on learning. To get the most out of one’s studies, it’s important to interact with others and share ideas, have discussions, even arguments. Distance learning means having to schedule every meeting and doing it on a two-dimensional screen. On campus, the interaction is more natural and productive, so this alone makes it a better learning environment and a better education. (68) | |
| Your answer: When it comes to learning, there are no bad options as long as students gain knowledge and skills. While Miguel offers strong arguments for on-campus learning, I think he overlooks the ancillary benefits of remote learning, such as technical skills development and efficient time management. In other words, the student in the virtual classroom builds the skills to use technology to engage with others in a way that is becoming increasingly common in many workplaces. As more companies switch to work-from-home models, it can be argued that the online student has an advantage. In addition, the distance learner can better manage his time to both study and work as he will have less pressure to spend time socializing. Overall, then, the benefits may not be exactly the same, but they are certainly not more nor less advantageous. (136) | |
| Other ideas/examples: online: solitude, need self-motivation and discipline, can set own pace, conduct instant searches for supplemental materials; offline: interact directly with faculty, more guidance resources (e.g., writing labs, tutors, etc.), more non-academic activities for stress relief, need to be ‘on’, social pressures | |
Dr. Young Experts have long debated the effectiveness of distance learning. Of course, a lot has changed since the internet came around. Actually, today’s virtual classes are almost the same as being on campus; you can speak with classmates and teachers, share documents in real time, and so on. Yet, some people still think that distance learning is inferior to being on-site. Do you think online learning provides the same quality education as physical classes? (73) |
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| Ella: The way I see it, learning is up to the learner, not the location of the lesson. As long as students have the same access to the materials and teachers as those on campus, they have no excuse when it comes to performance. In that case, distance education should be seen as equal because the students end up with the same knowledge and qualifications. (64) | |
| Miguel: I think people underestimate the impact community has on learning. To get the most out of one’s studies, it’s important to interact with others and share ideas, have discussions, even arguments. Distance learning means having to schedule every meeting and doing it on a two-dimensional screen. On campus, the interaction is more natural and productive, so this alone makes it a better learning environment and a better education. (68) | |
| Your answer: When it comes to learning, there are no bad options as long as students gain knowledge and skills. While Miguel offers strong arguments for on-campus learning, I think he overlooks the ancillary benefits of remote learning, such as technical skills development and efficient time management. In other words, the student in the virtual classroom builds the skills to use technology to engage with others in a way that is becoming increasingly common in many workplaces. As more companies switch to work-from-home models, it can be argued that the online student has an advantage. In addition, the distance learner can better manage his time to both study and work as he will have less pressure to spend time socializing. Overall, then, the benefits may not be exactly the same, but they are certainly not more nor less advantageous. (136) | |
| Other ideas/examples: online: solitude, need self-motivation and discipline, can set own pace, conduct instant searches for supplemental materials; offline: interact directly with faculty, more guidance resources (e.g., writing labs, tutors, etc.), more non-academic activities for stress relief, need to be ‘on’, social pressures | |
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New TOEFL Academic Discussion Question sample task & answer (topic: education)
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The new TOEFL Writing Task 2 gives you only 10 minutes. Make every minute count. With this expert guidebook, you will learn: - How to effectively use your allotted time...