HIGHER COLLEGES OF TECHNOLOGY

Ras Al Khaimah Womens College

Project Title:-

What are the disadvantages

and disadvantages of Taking Online Classes?
Course name: Academic Reading & Writing 2
Course code: LSC2103
Course teacher: Andrew Johnston
Students name: Yasmin Ibrahim Mohammed
H00258868
Section: Education, Year 1 - Semester 2

Introduction
Nowadays, technology has become an important thing for education. A lot of colleges and schools
start giving online classes, and it looks like an attractive choice for digital students. Some people
think it's flexible learning that students can take it any time per day. However, some people argue
that's because there is no communicating between teachers and students. I think online classes dark
sides are more than the benefits. However, I will start with advantages of taking online classes then
move onto disadvantages on their effects. Later finish my project by restating advantages and
disadvantages in conclusion and give my opinion.

Advantages
First of all, flexible learning environment. Students can take classes anytime and anywhere without
any schedule restrictions because they are allowed to set their own schedules. As a result less pressure
for students, especial worker students because they works part-time. Also, some learners are very
shy, they are keen on taking online classes and participate better as well (Kokemuller, 2014).
Secondly, online classes cost lower than traditional classes. For example unlike traditional classes
you have to buy new study materials, daily meals, workbooks, bus service and room rent. While
online classes don't require all that, you just sit in your own home and learn comfortably (Blake,
2014). Moreover, no sitting and waiting for hours per day. It's clear that students spend hours at
school or college. To be honest, it's not healthy for students to set many hours in the chair. While
online classes let you move, take breaks, play, sleep and eat, then back to study without waiting and
sitting for a long time (Mehta, 2007).

Disadvantages
However, online classes can cause less self-discipline for students. There is no schedule guides
students and push them to work, so students just need to be careful of self-discipline and organize
their timetable. Also, there is no communication between students and teachers to remind each other
about deadline or assessments. While in the traditional classes there is teacher gives instructions and
guides pupils. As a result the student must be organizer person otherwise it will effect on his academic
grades (Kokemuller, 2014). In addition, limited social interaction issue. It's difficult to do works
especially group works, because lack of communication between students and not available at the
same time. Also, students can't see each other and it's hard to exchange information it's very confusing
to work behind the screens without really discussing. Some students can't work without seeing the
teacher face to face because teacher can engage and support them more effectively when they see
each other face to face (Naillon, 2014). Therefore, costs are not effective as much as developing social
skills are! Moreover, online classes electronic and computer issues. To make it clear, sometimes

computers shut down during exams. As a result student grade will effect and may she/ he won't have
another chance to do the exam again! Also, not all online classes require same program so you have
to double pay and get the different program and versions (Ryan, 2010). Therefore, flexible learning
can cause electronic problems, for example not all places have wifi service or its speed is low so in
this case it will effect on student learning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it's clear that online classes have negative and positive impacts for students. Some
advantages like: flexible learning and the cost lower than traditional classes. Also have dark sides
such as limited social interaction, electronic problems and less self-discipline. I believe that online
classes are not as good as normal classes is because clothes or some materials don't cause a big
problem for students as much as communication with other students. In fact, communicating with
others can improve and change students life from good to better, because they exchange experiences,
knowledge, motivate and help each other skills. Also, there are distractions at home such as TV or
kids annoying and unfortunate student can't review the lesson once it's gone. As a result of both of
these reasons fewer collaboration skills ,distract and less focus in lessons.

References:Blake,C. (2014). 10 Advantages of Taking Online Classes.Demand Media. Retrieved from:

http://education.seattlepi.com/10-advantages-taking-online-classes-1184.html.
Kokemuller, N. (2014). Problems in Online Classes. Demand Media. Retrieved from:
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/problems-online-classes-5049.html.
Kokemuller, N. (2014). The Advantages & Disadvantages of Online Classes Used in Colleges.
Seattle pi. Retrieved from: http://education.seattlepi.com/advantages-disadvantages-online-classesused-colleges-1020.html.
Mehta, S. (2007, August 26). A Virtual Explosion of Online Education. The Gulf News. Retrieved
from :
http://gulfnews.com/life-style/gadgets-technology/a-virtual-explosion-of-online-education1.196869.
Naillon, B. (2014). Enrollment of Traditional College Vs. Online College. Demand Media.
Retrieved from: http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/enrollment-traditional-college-vs-onlinecollege-16235.html.
Ryan, L. (2010, November 10). The Disadvantages of Taking Online College Classes. Yahoo
Contributor Network. Retrieved from:
http://voices.yahoo.com/the-disadvantages-taking-online-college-classes-7064764.html?cat=15.

Annotated bibliography:Why did you choose the particular article ( The Advantages & Disadvantages of Online
Classes Used in Colleges)?
Seattle pi

http://education.seattlepi.com/advantages-disadvantages-online-classes-used-colleges1020.html
I chose this academic site because it's in-depended educational information. Also I found great
information about my topic in this site. In addition this article talks about two sides of the argument.

Why did you choose the particular article ( The Disadvantages of Taking Online College
Classes)?
Yahoo Contributor Network
http://voices.yahoo.com/the-disadvantages-taking-online-college-classes-7064764.html?cat=15
I chose this article because online classes has common way to learn. For example while some
advantages attract learners, they should be aware the dark sides too, so this article pointing the main
disadvantages of online classes.

Why did you choose the particular article (10 Advantages of Taking Online Classes) ?
Demand Media
http://education.seattlepi.com/10-advantages-taking-online-classes-1184.html.
I chose this article because it states benefits of online classes. Which helps me in my argument
issue, I have to look both sided pros and cons. In addition, it published on 2014 so the information
is new from the educational website.
Why did you choose the particular article ( A Virtual Explosion of Online Education)?
The Gulf News
http://gulfnews.com/life-style/gadgets-technology/a-virtual-explosion-of-online-education1.196869
I chose it because The Gulf News is national and trustable website to get information. Also, I liked
the article argus and reasons because none of other authors thinks like this arguments and reasons.
In addition the author gave a real example like "The University of California" to prove the idea of
online classes.

Why did you choose the particular article (Problems in Online Classes) ?
Demand Media
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/problems-online-classes-5049.html

I chose this educational article because it's talking about problems of online classes. As a student I
preferred to see both argument sides and discuss it. Also I found interesting information that I need
it for my assessment. Moreover, the author used facts to prove his point like: the success rates in
online courses were around 50 percent.
Why did you choose the particular article(Enrollment of Traditional College Vs. Online
College)?
Demand Media
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/enrollment-traditional-college-vs-online-college-16235.html
I chose this article because it's talking about online classes benefits, I would like to read the
argument in different sides. Also it has interesting and trustable information because it's educational
site. Moreover, the author mentioned some facts from popular magazine "New York Times" and
started compared between old and modern way of learning to convince readers about his concepts.

The chart:-

According to the chart online classes had been increased from 2002 to 2010. In 2005 it was 18.2%
while it doubled in 2010 into 31.3%. However, the numbers kept increasing huge year after year. A
lot of students started to take online classes because some students can't travel from country to
country for specific university, so they find it perfect solution to overcome travel costing. As a
result students can take classes while they are in their own hometown and with their families.

Reference:
The Most Important Education Technology in 200 years. ( 2012, November 2). Babson Survey
Research Group. Retrieved from: http://www.technologyreview.com/news/506351/the-mostimportant-education-technology-in-200-years/.

Self reflection

After reading those articles I learnt that there are advantages and disadvantages of taking online
classes. Starting with advantages that you can take anywhere, less cost and flexible schedule, while
there are some disadvantages like no communication between teachers and students, need selfdiscipline and WiFi problems. However I recognized that online classes disadvantages are more
effective and could harm student academic degree because some problems like charging, WiF and
noises. To be honest, at the begging I agreed to take online classes but after searching I changed my
opinion because it looks like disadvantages overcome the benefits.

Discussions with others.

In fact I made some discussion about my topic with my parents, friends and sister. However, my
parents agreed that students should take online classes because they think it solves the
transportation problem then they don't have to worry about time and traffic. Also, I asked my
friends they disagreed because they think they will learn more effectively when they communicate
with other students. Finally, my sister said it depend for example some special needs students prefer
to learn alone because they feel shy and uncomfortable in traditional classes whereas some students
prefer being with others to get social experience. However, I agree with them all but I agree with
my sister more because I believe that students are different and their needs are different, so
traditional and online classes are two choices for students they should choose the appropriate one.

How did summary and writing opinion help me?

To be honest, writing a summary and opinion helped me to understand the article concept more and
organize my ideas for the first and last draft. When I started to write the important details it was
clear and ready, they saved my time and helped me to know what to write like relevant concepts.