Online Learning: Role Model of Modern Education System?

Digital technology has been growing very fast even it touched education
area. Nowadays, online learning became a new mode of education technologybased such as correspondence course, video conferencing, and education
television. Based on Babson Survey Research Group (2013) stated that online
learning always growing up since 2003 up to 2013 in several institutions at United
States. Is this suitable for being a role model of modern education system? In fact,
there are some discrepancies of online learning that exist when they are applied in
reality. We are able to figure out those matters from three things those are social
interaction, student performance, and the purpose of education.
First, lose social interaction. Online learning just focused on studentcenter learning, encourages wider student participation, and produces more indepth and reasoned discussions (Smith in Anna, 2013). It is evidenced by the
technological equipment that supports learning process without a teacher beside
the student when studying. This is contrary with social interaction where a student
is able to communicate with teacher and friends in face to face. Moreover, they
cannot discuss to give opinion about some cases in a group whereas discussion is
a part of learning process to give and share what they have learned. Online
learning is less social interaction because the discussion trough text only without
being able to ask friends and teacher immediately (McConnell in Anna, 2013)
Second, does not fulfill psychological needs in studying. There is
correlation among learning and psychology needs. The student who are taking
online learning sometimes feel bored, stress, and lazy to understand the lesson
virtually. Students view psychological contracts as a form of mutual exchange in
the education process (Dziuban, 2013). Mutual exchange means the interactions
between student and teacher during learning process. It can reduce stress level of

them because the students do not study alone. If they feel on stuck in some things,
they can convey to the others directly. In addition, students psychology needs
may be fulfilled when they met each other. They will not feel bored and lazy
because of emphasizing in themselves.
Third, what is the purpose of education? To answer this question, we can
reflect to Arthurs statement (2010) that education is to bring people to as full a
realization as possible of what it is to be a human being. The context of human
being is very wide. Serving social and economy needs of society is a part of the
contexts. To reach it, the student has to be charged not only knowledgeable but
also skillful and ethical citizen. All will not be reached without the extra learning
about the reality in society to predict what they need. Watching the phenomenon
from television is not enough to find out the reality in society, we need to observe
more than watching and reading in virtual. Discussion in the class is to know a lot
of idea learning, next in real society to know the ethical citizen, building
teamwork to solve a problem is some of better ways to reach the purpose of
education.
Actually, social interaction could occur in online learning. If the students
are difficult to understand the lessons, they can send the questions through
electronic mail. Then they can do video conferencing with others online learning
students. However that is not as effective as face to face learning because of
interpersonal and group character building among each other is difficult to be
shaped in virtual way.
In conclusion, there are some arguments about less important of online
learning is used as role mode of modern education system. Those are: loosing
social interaction, does not fulfill psychological needs, and to answer the question
what is the purpose of education? The advance of technology is not always able
to responds the challenge of education. Because education not only talking about
creating new technology but also creating friendly advancement for the world

society.
References :
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William,M.S.,2012,WhatIsThePurposeofEducation?Availablefrom:
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