Comparison of the Benefits and Drawbacks of Online and Traditional Courses
Research Article
Open Access
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Comparison of the Benefits and Drawbacks of Online and Traditional Courses

Xiaowen Chen 1*
1 University of Warwick
*Corresponding author: g2827370019@gmail.com
Published on 19 August 2025
Volume Cover
LNEP Vol.113
ISSN (Print): 2753-7056
ISSN (Online): 2753-7048
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-313-0
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-314-7
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Abstract

With the development of modern technology, like AI and the internet, online courses are gradually replacing traditional courses, which are widely used in many schools. However, online course also has many latent disadvantages that are not recognized by the public. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of online and traditional courses, respectively. The benefits of an online course are its flexibility and efficiency of knowledge transmission, while a traditional course provides a structured environment for study and gives more chances for communication between students and teachers. From these findings, this article suggests that these two teaching methods should be partially combined to reach the maximum learning efficiency and student satisfaction. There are two suggestions given, one of which is that online tools and platforms should be used in a traditional course to increase learning efficiency. The other is that structured environments need to be opened for an online course to reduce the effects of distractors.

Keywords:

Traditional course, online course, learning efficiency

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Chen,X. (2025). Comparison of the Benefits and Drawbacks of Online and Traditional Courses. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,113,37-43.

References

[1]. Microsoft & PSB Insights. (2025). AI in Education: Student Usage Trends [Report]. Campus Technology.

[2]. Akcay, A. (2023). Examination of the Prediction of Flexibility for Learner Satisfaction in Online Courses. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 24(4), 132-145.

[3]. Alqurashi, E. (2019). The Impact of Online Learning Flexibility on Students' Satisfaction and Performance. Journal of Information Technology Education: Research, 18, 319-337.

[4]. Borodina, M., Chimitdorzhiev, Z., Kashina, E., Tereshchenko, O., Sinyukov, V., & Slepcova, E. (2023). Opportunities for Applying Online Tools to Improve the Efficiency of University Distance Learning. Revista Conrado, 19(91), 80-85.

[5]. Zaveri, B., Amin, P., & Nasabinmana, V. (2020). Efficiency of Online Learning in the Modern Technology Era-Students' Perception Towards Online Learning. Journal of Marketing Vistas, 10(1), 35-47.

[6]. Liu, Y., Huang, X., & Wang, Q. (2022). The Library as a Hybrid Learning Hub: How Physical Study Spaces Enhance Online Learning Efficiency. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 48(3), 102543.

[7]. Selwyn, N., & Aagaard, J. (2021). Banning Mobile Phones From Classrooms-An Opportunity to Advance Understandings of Technology Addiction, Distraction and Cyberbullying. British Journal of Educational Technology, 52(1), 8-19.

[8]. Halubanza, B., Kadakwiza, S., & Mulenga, J. (2023). Distracted Minds and Declining Grades: Unveiling the Detrimental Effects of Digital Distraction on Student Academic Performance. Zambia Association of Public Universities and Colleges (ZAPUC) Conference, 3(1), 27-36.

[9]. Croft, N., Dalton, A., & Grant, M. (2010). Overcoming Isolation in Distance Learning: Building a Learning Community Through Time and Space. Journal for Education in the Built Environment, 5(1), 27-64.

[10]. Ali, A., & Smith, D. (2015). Comparing Social Isolation Effects on Students Attrition in Online Versus Face-to-Face Courses in Computer Literacy. Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology, 12(1), 11-20.

[11]. Alsawaier, R.S. (2022). The Impact of Social Isolation on Student Engagement and Performance in Online Learning. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 50(3), 378-401.

[12]. Li, J., & Zhang, L. (2021). The Disciplinary Effects of Traditional Classroom Instruction: A Longitudinal Study in Chinese Higher Education. Educational Psychology Review, 33(2), 567-585.

[13]. Sana, F., Weston, T., & Cepeda, N.J. (2020). Laptop Multitasking Hinders Classroom Learning for Both Users and Nearby Peers. Computers & Education, 144, 103704.

[14]. Vlachopoulos, D., & Makri, A. (2021). The Impact of Traditional Face-to-Face Courses on Students' Collaborative and Communication Skills: A Comparative Study With Online Learning. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 37(4), 1112-1128.

[15]. Johnson, D.W., Johnson, R.T., & Roseth, C.J. (2020). Cooperative Learning in Traditional Classrooms: The Impact of Face-to-Face Interaction on Teamwork Competence. Educational Psychology Review, 32(3), 619-644.

[16]. Arum, R., & Roksa, J. (2020). Limited Learning in Higher Education: Do Traditional Lecture Formats Constrain Critical Thinking? Higher Education, 79(6), 1119-1137.

[17]. Beghetto, R.A., & Karwowski, M. (2023). Creative Mortification in Traditional Classrooms: How Standardized Instruction Constrains Creative Expression. Journal of Educational Psychology, 115(4), 676-693.

[18]. Pane, J.F., Steiner, E.D., Baird, M.D., & Hamilton, L.S. (2023). Invisible Scaffolding: How Adaptive Learning Systems Improve Efficiency Without Cognitive Overload. Educational Technology Research and Development, 71(2), 423-451.

[19]. Tanner, K.D., & Allen, D.E. (2022). The Isolation Paradox: How Large Lecture Formats Create Invisible Struggling Students. CBE-Life Sciences Education, 21(1), ar12.

[20]. Luckin, R., Cukurova, M., Kent, C., & du Boulay, B. (2022). Empowering Educators to Design AI-Enhanced Personalized Learning: Efficiency Gains in K-12 Classrooms. Computers & Education, 189, 104582.

References

[1]. Microsoft & PSB Insights. (2025). AI in Education: Student Usage Trends [Report]. Campus Technology.

[2]. Akcay, A. (2023). Examination of the Prediction of Flexibility for Learner Satisfaction in Online Courses. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 24(4), 132-145.

[3]. Alqurashi, E. (2019). The Impact of Online Learning Flexibility on Students' Satisfaction and Performance. Journal of Information Technology Education: Research, 18, 319-337.

[4]. Borodina, M., Chimitdorzhiev, Z., Kashina, E., Tereshchenko, O., Sinyukov, V., & Slepcova, E. (2023). Opportunities for Applying Online Tools to Improve the Efficiency of University Distance Learning. Revista Conrado, 19(91), 80-85.

[5]. Zaveri, B., Amin, P., & Nasabinmana, V. (2020). Efficiency of Online Learning in the Modern Technology Era-Students' Perception Towards Online Learning. Journal of Marketing Vistas, 10(1), 35-47.

[6]. Liu, Y., Huang, X., & Wang, Q. (2022). The Library as a Hybrid Learning Hub: How Physical Study Spaces Enhance Online Learning Efficiency. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 48(3), 102543.

[7]. Selwyn, N., & Aagaard, J. (2021). Banning Mobile Phones From Classrooms-An Opportunity to Advance Understandings of Technology Addiction, Distraction and Cyberbullying. British Journal of Educational Technology, 52(1), 8-19.

[8]. Halubanza, B., Kadakwiza, S., & Mulenga, J. (2023). Distracted Minds and Declining Grades: Unveiling the Detrimental Effects of Digital Distraction on Student Academic Performance. Zambia Association of Public Universities and Colleges (ZAPUC) Conference, 3(1), 27-36.

[9]. Croft, N., Dalton, A., & Grant, M. (2010). Overcoming Isolation in Distance Learning: Building a Learning Community Through Time and Space. Journal for Education in the Built Environment, 5(1), 27-64.

[10]. Ali, A., & Smith, D. (2015). Comparing Social Isolation Effects on Students Attrition in Online Versus Face-to-Face Courses in Computer Literacy. Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology, 12(1), 11-20.

[11]. Alsawaier, R.S. (2022). The Impact of Social Isolation on Student Engagement and Performance in Online Learning. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 50(3), 378-401.

[12]. Li, J., & Zhang, L. (2021). The Disciplinary Effects of Traditional Classroom Instruction: A Longitudinal Study in Chinese Higher Education. Educational Psychology Review, 33(2), 567-585.

[13]. Sana, F., Weston, T., & Cepeda, N.J. (2020). Laptop Multitasking Hinders Classroom Learning for Both Users and Nearby Peers. Computers & Education, 144, 103704.

[14]. Vlachopoulos, D., & Makri, A. (2021). The Impact of Traditional Face-to-Face Courses on Students' Collaborative and Communication Skills: A Comparative Study With Online Learning. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 37(4), 1112-1128.

[15]. Johnson, D.W., Johnson, R.T., & Roseth, C.J. (2020). Cooperative Learning in Traditional Classrooms: The Impact of Face-to-Face Interaction on Teamwork Competence. Educational Psychology Review, 32(3), 619-644.

[16]. Arum, R., & Roksa, J. (2020). Limited Learning in Higher Education: Do Traditional Lecture Formats Constrain Critical Thinking? Higher Education, 79(6), 1119-1137.

[17]. Beghetto, R.A., & Karwowski, M. (2023). Creative Mortification in Traditional Classrooms: How Standardized Instruction Constrains Creative Expression. Journal of Educational Psychology, 115(4), 676-693.

[18]. Pane, J.F., Steiner, E.D., Baird, M.D., & Hamilton, L.S. (2023). Invisible Scaffolding: How Adaptive Learning Systems Improve Efficiency Without Cognitive Overload. Educational Technology Research and Development, 71(2), 423-451.

[19]. Tanner, K.D., & Allen, D.E. (2022). The Isolation Paradox: How Large Lecture Formats Create Invisible Struggling Students. CBE-Life Sciences Education, 21(1), ar12.

[20]. Luckin, R., Cukurova, M., Kent, C., & du Boulay, B. (2022). Empowering Educators to Design AI-Enhanced Personalized Learning: Efficiency Gains in K-12 Classrooms. Computers & Education, 189, 104582.

Cite this article

Chen,X. (2025). Comparison of the Benefits and Drawbacks of Online and Traditional Courses. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,113,37-43.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICILLP 2025 Symposium: Psychological Perspectives on Teacher-Student Relationships in Educational Contexts

ISBN: 978-1-80590-313-0(Print) / 978-1-80590-314-7(Online)
Editor: Renuka Thakore, Abdullah Laghari
Conference website: https://2025.icillp.org/Nawabshah.html
Conference date: 17 October 2025
Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media
Volume number: Vol.113
ISSN: 2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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