GMAT Essays (AWA)

ESSAY QUESTION:
"Despite the convenience of distance learning and online educational programs, they will never replace in-class instruction."

Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the position stated above. Support your viewpoint using reasons and examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.

RESPONSE:
Recently, many new distance learning and online educational programs have been initiated by Universities and colleges around the world. Many newspapers and magazines have written a lot about distance learning & online educational programs and their comparisons with in-class instruction programs. But, it is true, that traditional in-class learning can never be replaced by such new methods of learning - and this belief is supported in sections below.

A recent research by the National Institute of Technology in India has concluded that students' studying through the medium of in-class instructions are able to learn more effectively. The research came to the conclusion, that students learn more when they participating in a class room environment. Class room discussions on topics, interaction with teacher, immediate responses to queries and possibility of counter-questioning were cited as reasons for the same. While, it is true, that distance learning and online programs offer convenience of not attending school at specific times but there far more advantages of the tradional method of getting education.

It is no new fact that healthy competion leads to growth and development. While in traditional method of in-class instructions students have a tendency to compete with each other. Thereby, everyone learning more than if they would have been studying in isolation.

Even in terms of employability - a student studied through traditonal method would be more employable than one studied through distance or online eductional program. A recent survery by "Times Top Hundred Graduate Employers" in UK cited that students studied though distance learning programs lack team working skills consider vital by employers. Whereas, students studied through in-class instructions almost always have participated in activities involving team work with other colleagues. Thus, parents and children likewise will always prefer tradional schools and colleges as compared to online or distance learning.


One possible reason, why people may prefer to study through online or distance learning is the cost of eduction. For instance, Univeristy of Camberley in UK, offers full time MBA program for £20,000 for a 12 month course. The same degree course offered through online or distance learning mediums is available for £7500 over a 2 year period.

In conclusion, the preferred medium of education of majority will always be in-class instruction. The various advantages such a team working capabilities, competition or immediate responses to queries are only possible in full time eduction. Online or distance education will only be preferred by people who may find it difficult for some or other reason to attend full time education at schools and colleges.