Online/long-distance learning has rapidly evolved into an alternative way to attend college. Virtual Classrooms offer ways to a higher education for those students who lack access to a physical college whether due to work, family obligations, disabilities or remote locations. With this in mind I posed this question to both Foothill students as well as faculty members: 

Would you consider online classes harder or easier than in-person classes? Why?

 Ashley Skipper/Japanese Language Major 

“I believe that online classes are easier so long as you hold yourself accountable. The responsibility of being present online is equal to that of being in a classroom, but the freedom of not being physically present makes it easier to study and focus in such a way that you are not pressured. If you are active in your community, it will help you stay engaged online as a student. Often, learning in-person requires you to sit, listen, and move on. With online schooling, you have the resources at your fingertips.”

Olivia Cox/English Major

“I’ve taken both in person and online. I consider online to be harder because of the isolation away from classmates and the lack of one-on-one time with your teacher. You also don’t get real “in time” feedback like you do in person. Essentially, online classes almost force you to teach yourself with your teacher acting as the guide for it.”

Professor Judith Walgren/Chair, Photography

“I don’t consider my online classes easier than hybrid or in-person, with the exception of having to physically take and make the time to show up to class. The time aspect involved in attending an in-person class is significant for me, as I don’t have a lot of free time! In terms of the content for my online and in-person classes, they are the same – with some of the exercises and discussions happening in-person for those classes and for online classes-they happen online. But students have to be engaged either way.”

Professor Dr. Elizabeth Carroll/History of Art

“I feel like online classes are much harder to teach for a number of reasons. The first is the obvious in that it is more challenging to establish and maintain a human and educational interaction as I would in the classroom. In this way, teaching online appears as much more authentic and therefore meaningful experience. The spontaneity of what happens in-person is quite challenging to recreate online, although I have had plenty of students again who are willing to put forth a little more effort into the planned communication, or through their assignments that makes the difference. I know that online courses reach a population of students that otherwise would not be able to arrive on campus. I also am concerned that I might not be able to reach students in the same way as in person, that they are not benefitting in the same way, and I feel great responsibility about this as a possible shortcoming.

Professor Shawn Smith/History: Specializing in Social and Political Power Dynamics and the Politics of Race and Ethnicity

“In some ways it is easier and others more difficult. Pros – efficient mode of clerical record keeping, self-paced for students, ease of remote work site. Cons – lack of personalized face to face interactions, loss of performance art in so far as demonstrating a love for the subject through physical display and liturgical expression, loss of group enthusiasm and ability to stir a crowd into an electrifying frenzy over the personal relevance of the knowledge as it relates to the group as a whole.”

The bottom line is, Online/long-distance learning is fundamentally reshaping higher education and while digital attendance might demand a greater self-discipline it offers a viable alternative way for anyone seeking a higher education to attend classes, building a more inclusive academic community for everyone.