The advantages & disadvantages of traditional education

The traditional educational system holds quite a few benefits for children today, including structured instruction on a wide range of topics, extra-curricular options, and the chance to develop social skills by interacting with peers and classmates. Traditional education, such as public and private schooling, is not the only form of education, and there can be disadvantages along with benefits for students.

One of the advantages of the traditional education system is the benefit of social interaction your child will receive from mingling with various peers throughout his school years. With traditional education, students work in groups, pairs, and solo on various projects within different subjects.

Students will also learn how to socialise and communicate in large groups and in front of groups of peers through projects and presentations. A disadvantage with the social interaction aspect of traditional learning environments is that it may not be as conducive to learning for children who prefer to work alone or who have trouble interacting within large groups of people.

One disadvantage for many children who are accustomed to homeschooling or online schooling is the dramatic reduction in freedom in a traditional learning environment. Traditional education systems require students to attend class each day for a specific amount of hours, usually following a strict schedule of classes. Most traditional education environments do not feature flexible schedules--and many schools have consequences for not attending class or missing too many school days.

Attending a traditional education school may help increase your child's chances of acceptance at specific colleges he has in mind for the future. Traditional learning environments often feature extra-curricular activities, clubs, and groups that can all contribute to personal development and resume building.

Some options in a traditional school might include a debate team, drama club, sport teams, or Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (J.R.O.T.C.) Students in traditional learning schools also have the opportunity to run for various offices on the school's student council or to serve as leaders in other capacities. Such positions can help develop your child's confidence and provide insights and incentives to explore potential career paths.

Although in traditional education systems students have many opportunities and activities to attend, as well as the chance to socialise, this can be a drawback for some students--causing a lack of focus and other problems. Some school environments may be filled with distractions, such as too much socialising, a loud room, or an uncomfortable atmosphere for your child. Although many students become accustomed to distractions over time, others may improve their work output and focus dramatically when an alternative solution is offered, such as an alternative schooling option.