Whether or not you prefer online courses or taking a class in person depends on who you are and how you learn. There are many advantages to both types and the preference really depends on each individual student.

When students decide to learn in the classroom, they are able to learn face-to-face and can ask questions as soon as they get stumped. These can be difficult for some people because you have to be on campus and are responsible for being there at a certain time.

When students decide to enroll in an online course, they aren’t required to be in a class at a certain time and they don’t have to commute to be there. This type of course can help people who work a lot and have tight schedules.

Although there are plenty of great things about online classes, there are some drawbacks as well. With online courses, you can’t ask questions right away or express your opinions in class. You are also required to complete a lot of reading.

Some Washburn students were asked whether they prefer online classes or in-person classes.

Soren Lamb, junior mass media major, said, “I personally like online classes more because they are way more convenient than regular classes, but the issue with online is that you don’t develop that personal relationship with the professor and that can create some problems.

“Online is much easier and less time consuming, but I don’t think I learn as much as I do during a regular class.”

Other students that were asked this same question prefer to go to a class when taking a course.

“Personally I prefer in-person classes just because I tend to learn better when I listen to a lecture and see visual examples. I retain the information better than just reading chapters online and teaching myself,” said Katie Skillingstad, sophomore actuarial science major.

Lucas Nutsch, junior nursing major, said, “I prefer in-person classes because I am able to truly engage what I am learning with other classmates as well as the professor. I am also a very social person, so this interaction brightens my day because it forces me to go and do something.”

They touched on some drawbacks as well.

Skillingstad said, “I do think that both kinds have their own pros and cons, and it just depends on your learning style whether online or in-person is better for you. With online classes you have more control of the pace of the class and how you learn.”

”If someone wants that interaction like myself, then they can achieve that by going to an in-person class,” Nutsh said. “If they want to work more at their own pace and on their own, then they can take online classes.”