Do Kids Prefer Online Learning? Here's What The Research Says

Over the past few years, online learning has become a very common occurrence. Some students love it and thrive in an online environment, while others prefer traditional classrooms – or so people suspect. But what are the real numbers? Do kids prefer online learning overall?

Here’s a roundup of a few interesting statistics and facts about online learning, including whether most students prefer an online learning environment to a more traditional learning environment, why some kids seem to thrive learning online, and what we can learn from them.

Trends In Learning
Online learning was on the rise even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Increasing use of technology both in and out of the classroom led to a lot more online learning, no longer confining classes to the physical classroom. From online courses to virtual learning to digital textbooks, the online space has become another valuable tool for teaching and learning.

In fact, before the pandemic, over half of all schools in the United States were equipped with the tools to teach digitally. Add to that the fact that 8 out of 10 schools have purchased additional technology in order to help their students learn both online and in the classroom, and you have the perfect environment for online learning to continue its growth.

The real question is: do children prefer online classes?

Online Learning Vs. Traditional Learning
Online learning has been growing so rapidly over the last few years that it’s long been thought it will simply take over traditional classroom learning. And while it is certainly still growing, online learning has highlighted some issues that persist in education.

While studies have found that learning online does appeal to some students and helps them to retain more information, the sharp increase in online learning over the last year and a half has actually seen a decline in grades for many students. It has also highlighted a growing socioeconomic divide, with almost one third of students in some communities lacking the resources to learn online successfully.

Why Do Some Kids Prefer Online School?
Do students prefer online learning or traditional classrooms? It’s a good question. While the increase in online learning has shown that it simply doesn’t work for some students, there are many others who have learned to thrive online and prefer it to a more traditional learning environment. A few of the reasons students give for this preference include:

• Flexibility – Many students report preferring online learning because it allows them the flexibility to learn from anywhere at any time. Students can do work on their own schedule and even travel during the school year when they may otherwise have not been able to. Parents like it for those same reasons as well.
• Student-centered teaching – Online learning also allows for a more student-focused experience for learners. Every student has a unique way of learning material, and an online learning environment is more conducive to finding an approach that works best for them.
• Access – For those with access, having course material at their fingertips all day every day is a bonus that allows them to sift through the material at their own pace.
• Increases skills – Learning to use digital tools helps students to engage with other students online and build skills that will come in handy later in life in our technology-driven world.
• Approachability – Online teachers are often seen as more approachable by students than teachers in traditional classrooms. Online chats, discussions, and emails help students to feel connected.

What Are The Benefits Of Online Learning For Students?
Some students do prefer online learning for the reasons listed above, but are there actual benefits to online learning for them? Yes! Some of the advantages of online learning include:

• It’s efficient – Online learning is simply an efficient way for many students to learn material. A variety of tools can be used to help students learn new concepts and information, such as podcasts, videos, and PDFs in conjunction with a teacher’s lesson plan. Plus, traditional textbooks can be paired with online resources for efficiency in learning.
• Better attendance – If attendance is an issue for a child, online school may be the answer. Online classes can be taken from home or anywhere else the student wants, and there are fewer chances that students will miss learning material since they’re not on a strict schedule.
• Suitable for many learning styles – Every student’s journey is different. Online learning allows students to learn in a way that best suits them. After all, some students prefer to listen and learn while some prefer to watch. Whatever your student’s learning style, online learning can accommodate them.
• Deeper connections – One of the benefits many students love about online learning is that it allows for deeper connections between students and teachers. This may seem strange, since online learning is often viewed as impersonal, but the truth is that online learning can put students in a place where they have easier access to their teachers.

Online learning might not be for every student, but it may surprise you just how many students prefer online learning to more traditional methods. There’s no doubt that the pandemic has altered the landscape of learning forever – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing!

Featured image by AHMED HINDAWI on Unsplash