An online school or cyber-school or virtual school teaches students perfectly or primarily online or through the internet. An online school can mimic many of the benefits provided by a physical school (learning materials, live online classes, self-paced courses, online exercises, web forums, tests, etc) but delivers these through the internet.  Online schools may also permit individuals to earn negotiable credits or to take recognized examinations, to advance to the next level of education.

• Advantages of the online classroom:

1. Lower costs
2. Less Pressure
3. Flexibility
4. Skill development
5. Individual instruction
6. Networking Opportunities
7. Location
8. Comfort
9. Transferring Credits

• The disadvantage of the online classroom:

1. Lack of discipline
2. Lack of accreditation
3. Information overload
4. Scripted lectures
5. Difficult to select best course & classes
6. Less creativity & more instruction

The physical classroom reflects your teaching style. If you want students to participate in small groups, for example, clusters of desks or organize them around tables. For periodic whole group discussions, U-shaped desk configuration or try a circle. If you plan on a self-paced curriculum, individualized, you should set up learning stations.

• The advantage of the physical classroom:

1. Discipline
2. Accreditation
3. Creativity

• The disadvantage of the physical classroom:

1. Expensive
2. Too much pressure
3. Location problem

So this is important for students to understand what to expect before they step foot or log into the classroom. In the case of online versus traditional education or physical classroom, there is no right or wrong answer. It comes down to personal preference or knowing how you learn best. These learning formats can all be very effective. No matter your personal learning situation and style.