Differences Between the Traditional and Distance Learning

The traditional learning usually takes place in a classroom where the teacher transmits knowledge to students face to face, while students also learn on their own from schoolbooks, textbooks and other recommended literature. In contrary with traditional learning which requires physical presence of a teacher and student in the same place at the same time, distance learning is characterized by indirect transmission of knowledge through variety of medias. Thus teacher and student by distance learning most of the time are not physically present at the same place at/or the same time. The pedagogic role of a teacher in traditional learning is in distance learning replaced by variety of medias which deliver knowledge to the student in a form specially adjusted for independent learning.

In contrary with traditional learning which is adjusted for delivering knowledge and informations to a group of students, distance learning is focused on an individual. Instead of lectures the main source for learning in distance learning is learning material in form of a print, audio- and videocassettes, CD-ROM, etc., while progress of technology also enabled introduction of interactive learning material which made the distance learning easier, faster and more qualitative.

One of the main differences between the traditional and distance learning is also supervision during tests and examinations. While the students in traditional learning usually take their tests and examinations in classrooms and are monitored by teachers, the student in distance education can be completely removed from supervision what causes certain second thoughts regarding cheating.