Comparing & Contrasting

Use the table below to compare and contrast the traditional classroom environment with the Internet.

Classroom		Internet
Multi-Sensory Input Multi-sensory environment: receive auditory, visual, non-verbal input and sometimes tactile		Visual Input Largely Text only, no non-verbal cues; communication occurs almost non-verbal input and sometimes tactile solely via the written word; a text based median for instruction can be supplemented with CDs and audio but audio and video are too big, they slow down the system
Immediate Response Majority of responses planned, formal responses/exchanges, can be spontaneous		Delayed Response A mix of formal, intentional responses and informal
Dedicated Time and Place Highly structured with instructor in charge		Flexible and Varying Time and Place More convenient; less structured than classroom; structured on different dimension - around content/course requirements rather than course plus time and place
Face-to-face Interaction Verbal exchanges, written, and non-verbal communication occur Live, personal interaction with instructor and students		Written Interaction Primarily written communication; mainly impersonal
Familiar Environment and Expectations Students area culturated to traditional classroom setting-classroom with instructor, in front, leading the class varying levels of interaction within the classroom		Unfamiliar Environment and Expectations May not meet or actually ever see instructor or other students breaking the mold of familiar classroom interactions
Summation: Defined instructional time for transmission of information and discussion. Lecture- most time-efficient means of delivering large amounts of information. Less effort required on the part of the student to acquire information in face-to-face lecture situation. More opportunity for passive, receptive learning.		Summation: Requires as much or more time than a face-to-face class. Transmission of information and discussion does not occur within designated time frames. More effort required on part of learner to obtain information, so possibly less efficient than face-to-face in terms of time/effort expended for amount of information acquired. May be less efficient but more effective. More active learning tends to produce better mastery of material.