When I think back on my educational journey, its not the lectures or the assignments that stand out in my mind. It's the moments of connection with people, the laughs shared over a complex problem, and the lightbulb moment that occur between classes. These are the things that only happen in a physical classroom.
In today's tech-driven world, virtual learning has taken center stage. But for me, there's something irreplaceable about the experience of learning in a physical classroom.
I've tried virtual learning before, from programming, to learning foreign languages, and I've also experienced physical classroom learning.
Virtual learning is pretty great. But you know what's better? Physical classes. Why? Well, there's nothing quite like the thrill of being in a room full of curious minds and their knowledge flowing freely.
Plus, there's something undeniably human about the whole experience. The laughter, the experience.
See, when you're in a physical classroom, you're not just absorbing information from a screen, you're absorbing it from people, you're seeing their body language, hearing their opinions and feeling their vibe. Its a whole other level of learning that can't be replicated in the virtual world.
But I also believe that the magic lies in the quality of the course content and the dedication of the learner.
My first experience with virtual learning happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the familiar routine of getting up early, dressing up, and attending school was thrown out the window.
At first, the idea of staying home and logging into classes from the comfort of my home was exciting. My school was quick to adapt, creating a dedicated website with the teachers' note uploaded for each grade. I'd simply navigate to grade 11 page, download the notes for each subjects, and settle in for afternoon Zoom classes.
I was eager to stay ahead, I started copying all the notes ahead of the zoom sessions, even the ones that were not yet due. But as the virtual classes continued, the reality of online learning set in.
While I was technically still "in class" with my friends, the vibrant atmosphere we used to experience in our physical classroom was missing, I missed the little moments that made learning come alive - the playful banter, the sly jokes, the gentle nudges from a friend, and even the silly comments from the teacher. The online learning felt dry and lifeless.
As the weeks drag on, the number of students attending the virtual classes reduced. Of course, they offered various excuses - no smartphone, no Internet connection - but we all knew the truth.
Without the presence of my friends, the classes felt more like a chore than an opportunity. I too started feeling my enthusiasm waning. Online learning might be convenient, but it lacked the spark that makes learning truly engaging.
It happened again in university. This time, my lecturer tried to implement a WhatsApp group for programming lessons, but the experiment was shortlived. Within a week of being added to the group, I'd had enough, and added it to my WhatsApp archive.
The WhatsApp class turned out to be nothing more than a series of videos and voice notes, devoid of interactions or engagement. Our lecturer sent these videos and voice notes every evening, and the group chat was always locked, leaving no room for questions or discussions. It was as if he'd given up on teaching all together and just simply decided to quickly dispense information without any consideration for if the students understood or not. So instead of "learning", it became "information dumping"
Once again, I found myself struggling to stay engaged in a digital classroom environment. The distractions were endless - notifications from my tiktok, Snapchat, messages from my friends and family - and the lack of human presence also made it impossible to feel any sense of enthusiasm or commitment to the material.
It became clear to me that virtual education, while offering flexibility, lacked the structure and guidance of a physical classroom. Without the presence of the lecturer, the virtual class really did function properly. The opportunities to ask questions on a whim, or to discuss the topic further with friends after class was not there.
Learning, for me, isn't just about acquiring knowledge, it's also about the conversations, the lively discussions, the connections, and the experiences that you can only get in person. Sure, virtual learning is great for convenience and accessibility, but for the true magic of learning, you've got to go old school.
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