Why Traditional Learning? The benefits of classroom instruction over online courses.

Nov. 18, 2012 - PRLog -- After taking and teaching courses in both online and traditional classes, I’ve learned students consistently get a much more valuable education by learning in a traditional classroom environment. As students interact with the instructor and with each other, students receive opportunities to practice group dynamics, cooperative activities and teamwork. As questions come up, instructors can provide immediate answers and clarification.

Face-to-face interaction allows the instructor better opportunity to properly engage and inspire students. Peer interaction allows students to discuss and exchange project ideas with other individuals who are working on the same project as well as learning new ideas from each other. Face-to-face interaction with peers acts as a motivator.

Meeting other students who come from different professional background allows students to broaden their horizons and expand their minds into accepting diversity. In traditional classrooms, students get the opportunity to practice their communication and social skills that are vitally important in project management and in the working world.

Moreover, traditional classroom instruction provides students with valuable networking opportunities that can lead to mutually beneficial business relationships in the future.

Maggie overfelt writes on her article What's an Online MBA Worth?:
“Despite the research supporting online education, recruiters and hiring managers still see an online credential as second-class. Gail Dundas, a spokesperson for Intel Corp., captures the prejudice in an e-mail: “We target hiring from top-tier universities, and online degrees do not tend to be in the top tier.”  “An advanced degree from the big-name business schools will always get you into the interview,” admits Barry Shulman, founder of Shulman Associates, But, Shulman adds, it won’t by itself get you the job. Hiring managers usually place more emphasis on experience than on the brand of a degree.”

About the Author
Natalia Bakilana is a founder of Project Conquer and a project management instructor at local continuing education institution.  Ms. Bakilana graduated from Rutgers University 2005, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and thereafter studied project management with University of South Africa. After coordinating and managing several projects in a variety of organizations Natalia decided to start a project management consulting and training firm.