Amongst the numerous attributes of man is that he is a "homo liber"--a being that can read and write. This, however, presupposes his capacity to learn and store a profound amount of information. In fact, this works in tandem with his rational power, for it would be somewhat impossible to reason in vacuum without accessible and reliable facts to function. Fascination about how man knows birthed various schools of thought in history like empiricism, rationalism, idealism, realism, phenomenalism, and so on, which their proponents strived to propagate and attract far-reaching patronage. One of the foremost implications of this epistemological controversy today is the frantic search for an expedient learning medium. The surge in technological landmarks felt by the ease injected into human living, which has commendably spread to the educational sphere, intensifies the debate. With the internet daily getting handy and encapsulating the digital age, the subject of how one knows is superseded by that of the best condition possible which can enable one sever ties with ignorance in any ramification of life. To learn is to know. In other words, What is the best knowing environment? Is online learning better than traditional or face-to-face learning? This question underscores the age-old battle between traditionalism and modernism for dominance. In some cases, reconciling the two has been perceived as palatable and proved workable.

Undoubtedly, online or electronic learning has over the years wielded influence in education. This sort of learning entails obtaining certain pieces of pertinent information peculiar to an area of endeavour, facilitated chiefly by the internet. As Implied by the term, this educational process takes place essentially on the internet, online, which is a community of inter-connected networks and computers all over the world. This present dispensation of comfort and speed is what it is due to this unprecedented invention that crystallizes man's ingenuity. Actually, the internet's existence has necessitated moves by a lot of educational institutions and corporate bodies to relocate their bases to the online platform in order to keep up with present-day trend. For certain, e-learning has its merits that continue to endear many persons--both those online and offline--to it, which should be taken into cognizance.

First, it dismantles the distance barrier. This is indeed one of the major benefits of online learning in that it occurs irrespective of the learner's geographical location. One in a particular continent of the world could be in need of a certain information that is clearly obtainable in another. Instead of embarking on a journey of thousands of kilometres, going online to meet one's needs is judicious and faster. This explains the proliferation of blogs and websites online today that seek to justify their individual existence by attending to the information demands in diverse aspects of live such as sports, religion, education, politics, business, fashion, and what have you. For instance, I can--from here in Nigeria--be in the know of the corporate laws operational in the U.S to a reasonable extent even without visiting the country, in view of establishing a company therein. Presently, a particular tertiary institution in Nigeria known as the National Open University (NOUN) runs some of its various degree programs online, wherein her students in any part of the country can receive lectures and write exams.

Second, it facilitates information accessibility and dissemination. The popular adage that "If you're not informed, then you're deformed" highlights the importance of information in human affairs. There are millions of information online on varied topics waiting to be consumed. This is the engine of the internet's vehicle, which corroborates its widespread reference as a global village. The online community subsists by the continual sharing of data, facts, nuggets which may be written, audio, audio-visual, as the case may be. This affords any serious-minded person the opportunity to take full advantage of it. It gives us many options to choose from when conducting enquiries and researching. The ease with which this can be done is unparalleled, considering that you're just a click away from learning what you deem fit. Most undergraduates and postgraduate students broaden their intellectual horizon, thus adding more flesh to their assignments as well as espousing relevant ideas through online learning. Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook worth billions of Dollars, would have been unable to set up that social network empire without somewhat acquainting himself with the knitty-gritties of doing such online, since that was in non-existence and virtually unknown in his immediate environment.

Third, it saves cost. You don't need to drain your pocket in purchasing textbooks, handouts, manuals, and so on. Search engines like Google, Wikipedia, Youtube, Yahoo, etcetera, are veritable textbooks that can be utilized to get any desired information without spending much. Even in cases where a textbook per se is required, most are avaliable on e-formats which are known as e-books that you can download for free or pay little, or preferably read online.

Well, all that glitters is not gold. Notwithstanding the impressiveness of online/e-learning, it is not without demerits that to a great extent gives credence to traditional learning. It may enable all the aforesaid, but online-learning leaves more to be desired in terms of teacher-student relationship which is pivotal to learning. And this is the gap traditional learning ceaselessly bridges. Direct contact between the tutor and learner has for thousands of years proven to be more effective. There is a bond between persons involved formed in the course of learning which is priceless. It is against this backdrop that plethora of scholars like Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Aristotle (who attended The Academy, Plato's school in Greece) had their intellectual thirst stirred, which culminated in their seminal contributions to our world. The importance of face-to-face learning is further buttressed by its predominant usage by top world universities like Harvard, Oxford universities that predicate most of its academic programs on it. For verification, it is public knowledge that President Barrack Obama underwent the traditional learning process in Harvard law school. Could this have contributed to his sagacity and eventual emergence as the number one citizen of a country reckoned as a world power? Possibly.

Again, traditional learning paves way for the learner's in-depth and better understanding which is the essence of the educational activity. Here, students are guided like a child by the teacher as they peruse an avalanche of information. Thus, the learner has much room to pose any kind of questions in areas that plague him or her. Although this is avaliable in online learning, most times the FAQ's option provided may not contain, address, nor exhaust issues that perturb one. For what shall it profit a learner to have loads of information within reach without a tangible captain to assist him navigate the turbulent learning waters? Hitting an iceberg may just be imminent.

Also, face-to-face learning enables the assessment of a learner's learning progress. With the teacher on the saddle, it is easier to ascertain a learner's assimilation. If the expected is not what is, proactive steps are taken to close whatever lacuna discoverable. A renowned American scholar John Dewey, in his work, Experience and Education, called for the adoption of a learning pattern where learners are subjected to educational experiences that conform to their intellectual capacity. He believed all curricula should place premium on this. With the online learning setting, it is a herculean task to know the level of intellect of the information consumer and this can be counterproductive. Improper timing and overdose are deficiencies. The purpose of the process could be defeated.

However, online learning is being opted for by many in our contemporary society for reasons not unconnected to it breaking the distance barrier, easy access, minimizing cost, and so on. Traditional learning also has its strengths visible in securing the tutor-learner relationship, providing a leeway for deeper and better understanding, and ensuring learners' close evaluation. From the foregoing, it is apparent that traditional or face-to-face learning fruitfully enhances more learners' information comprehension than online or e-learning. Both are good but reality from time immemorial to date proclaim the traditional class as a better surrounding for learning. It is the chosen one and we, at one point or the other, have reaped and enjoyed its yield. Nevetherless, rather than discarding online learning, configuring it to complement traditional learning would denote wisdom and holistically boost education around the globe.


Kaycee Naze
(Rational Pen)

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