THE PROS AND CONS OF ONLINE LEARNING PROGRAMS

Online learning programs, such as Lexia, Reading Eggs, IXL, etc., are all fantastic and although they offer many benefits, do the pros actually outweigh the cons of using them to replace teacher taught lessons? To answer this, let’s start by looking at some of the pros:

Pros

• Programs offer individualized and/or differentiated learning for students.
• Immediate feedback is provided to students on their progress.
• When a student makes an error, explanations are often provided about where they went wrong so they can learn from their mistakes.
• The programs are engaging and offer incentives/rewards to motivate learners.
• Programs can cut down on teacher marking time as they usually assess and keep track of student scores.
• Once a student has started a program, their progress is usually saved and can be transferred year to year as long as they remain at the same school. 

Cons

• Technical issues can occur, ranging from computer malfunction to forgotten passwords to slow internet speeds, thereby wasting class time.
• Students come to rely on the immediate feedback provided by these programs, and when given similar tasks using textbooks or paper/pen, they may lack the confidence to do so independently.
• When students use programs that allow them to choose areas they wish to work on (unless being carefully monitored by the teacher) they tend to choose the areas that cater to their strengths instead of pushing themselves to learn new things and attempt areas in which they lack confidence. Therefore, at the end of the year numerous concepts that should have been worked on may not have been.
• Students can be leveled incorrectly and although the programs usually get it right, sometimes they don’t.
• Because students are working on so many different concepts at varying levels, it can be difficult for a teacher to monitor and assist students in class.
• Planning regular class lessons can become challenging for a teacher as students may be working on a number of different areas at several different levels simultaneously on the program, and contrary to a teacher setting out the activities and lessons themselves – it can be hard to know what the class in general needs when programs are setting the pace for each individual student.
• Programs do not necessarily match curriculums being followed by the school; as a result, certain outcomes that should have been taught may be missed during the year.

​The use of technology can be a great asset in the classroom, but when it comes to replacing actual teaching time, unless the program is in direct alignment with the school curriculum and the teacher is monitoring where each student is at or what they are working on closely, the benefits may not outweigh the cons. That’s not to say that the programs shouldn’t be used at all, but perhaps instead of replacing teaching time in individual subject areas, programs can be used during tech time for reinforcing and extending learning  – for example, in math or language arts, or can be used at home as an opportunity for students to have some personal learning time.

​What are your thoughts on the use of online learning programs in the classroom? We’d love to hear them!

Further Reading

The Flaw in "Gradeless" Systems
Is the Station Rotation Model Effective?
​Is Your School Putting Student Needs First?
​The Need for Differentiated and Scaffolded Resources
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