Similarities and Differences between Online and Face-to-Face Education: Students’ Perspectives

This study compares online education to traditional face-to-face education in terms of effectiveness as perceived by university students. Within the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic, the research provides valuable insights into the rapid adaptation to digital learning environments. Through data collection and analysis, the study examines key aspects such as the benefit of feedback, the quality of teaching materials, the assessment and grading strategies, and the social interaction in the online educational environment. The results indicate a generally positive perception on online education, showing advantages in successful communication and feedback, customization of educational resources, and adaptability of the assessment techniques. The respondents in this study, more exactly the students of Politehnica University of Timişoara, have rated online methods as just as effective, or even better, as traditional methods in some aspects. These findings suggest that online education can provide a comparable or even better educational experience, with significant implications for the development and implementation of future teaching strategies. The present study makes a contribution to the existing topic by highlighting the potential of online education in improving the accessibility and customization of education.