WHAT ARE FACE-TO-FACE STUDIES? ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The Campus are those that are held on a, usually an educational institution formally closed chamber, by a teacher or facilitator who imparts knowledge to students who must attend classes regularly at established timetables and days to receive, process and incorporate the knowledge imparted.

It is the traditional study modality and the most common in the educational system, both public and private in most countries. The opposite modality is the one of "distance studies", in which the knowledge is received by Internet or by physical notes that are bought.

Until the beginning of the last century, education was a privilege reserved for a few. During the 20th century, education underwent an important democratization and many states assumed education as an inalienable and free right for their citizens.

However, reality shows that a good part of the populations do not have access to education or have very limited access.

This is due not only to the economic aspect, which is one of the main impediments, but to other types of inconveniences such as the physical distance between homes and schools or universities, or the difficulty in working and earning money while studying.

In rural or suburban areas, the daily commute to school is complicated, often the distances are very long, the roads are not in good condition or the weather conditions are adverse.

In other cases, the labor of all family members is required to be able to survive and the children cannot finish their formal educational cycle, because they need them to work and earn money to contribute to the home.

With the emergence of the Internet and the development of new technologies, education has been brought closer to whoever wants it without the need or obligation to attend an educational facility daily. It is the so-called virtual education, distance or not in person.

In addition to being an alternative for children and young people, this new form of education has also made it possible to bring adults closer to the educational field, ensuring that, for example, housewives, retirees, people with disabilities, etc., can have access to some type of training that qualifies your trade or expands your job opportunities and advancement.

While these two types of studies have their defenders and their detractors, both types of studies - face-to-face and virtual - have their advantages and disadvantages.

Not everything has to be studied in person, but there are also subjects and careers that are almost impossible to study at a distance.

It is unthinkable, for example, for a doctor to learn to operate on a patient by watching tutorials on the Internet, but it is perfectly possible for a person to study mathematics or philosophy online.

Advantages of face-to-face studies

1- By being in a closed room, it is assumed that the student can concentrate better and dedicate himself especially to learning without distractions.

2- A more serious commitment is established with the fact of studying and learning, since a lot of time and effort is dedicated to it that somehow has to bear fruit.

3- There is a pre-established and almost always inflexible starting time and ending time, which allows programming and having a clear idea of ​​how long it will take to complete the different stages of the course.

4- By sharing with other students, socialization and integration are favored, as well as being able to raise and resolve doubts as a team.

5- The understanding of what has been studied is facilitated thanks to the permanent presence of a tutor or teacher who is there to explain and assist the students.

6- As they are aimed at more or less homogeneous groups, it is assumed that all share a similar prior background and that all will be able to advance in a more or less similar way.

Disadvantages of face-to-face studies

Man studying at home

1- What can be an advantage, can also be a disadvantage. Being in a closed room with many classmates your age can cause distraction and loss of concentration in class.

2- Learning is limited to what is dictated by the teacher. Their opinions are accepted as the only ones and there are not many spaces for dissent, doubt or the confrontation of ideas.

3- The teacher does not have the possibility of giving special attention to each of the students, since not all of them can learn at the same rate, some will be relegated, delayed or without information or complete learning.

4- By having a predefined and inflexible start date and end date, this means that in the event of any personal eventuality (illness, weather conditions, financial problems, etc.) there is a risk of missing important exam dates, or losing the course or year, and having to wait until another opens.

5- Generally, face-to-face studies indirectly affect other expenses such as transportation, food and clothing that must be added to the educational expense itself (books, tuition, etc.) and that the student is not always in a position to face.

Face-to-face studies vs virtual studies

More time and money spent - Save time and money

They require fixed days and hours of study - They allow flexibility of hours and days

The class is taught no matter how you are - You take the class when you are really ready

Aimed at people from nearby communities - There are no geographical limits

Aimed at a homogeneous public - Aimed at a homogeneous or heterogeneous public

No internet connection required - Requires internet connection and electronic device

The enclosure facilitates concentration - There are more distractions, concentration costs more

The teacher controls the dynamics of the class - The teacher has no control over what they teach

They allow a real and instantaneous interaction - The interaction is less dynamic and less effective

They facilitate socialization - They hinder socialization, promote individual initiative

Assessments tend to be stricter - Assessments are more relaxed

Remain more reputable - They have a low reputation for the quality of the end result

Simpler and more artisan planning - Require more planning and design

Face-to-face communication - Virtual communication, where there may or may not be real interaction

Low presence of technical or administrative staff - This type of staff is essential

They require a physical infrastructure and its maintenance - They do not require a physical infrastructure

It is more expensive to produce - Its production is easy, fast and economical

The teacher is the basic source of information - The teacher suggests the sources of information

The teacher sets the pace of the class progress - The student defines their own pace

The student is a passive receiver of information - The student is an active part of the investigation

References

1. Differences between classroom education and distance education. University administrative center of economic sciences. University of Guadalajara, Jalisco 2012. Recovered from cucea.udg.mx
2. Study modalities: face-to-face, blended, distance or online. Recovered from prodedim.com