UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
UiTM KAMPUS RAUB PAHANG
ELC 231: INTEGRATED LANGUAGE SKILLS III
EVALUATIVE COMMENTARY
TITLE:
Is Online Learning As Good As Face to Face?
SUBMISSION DATE:
31/01/2021
PREPARED FOR:
MADAM ZURAINI BINTI HAJI YAACOB
PREPARED BY:
NAME UiTM ID GROUP
No.
1. NUR FARINA BINTI SULEIMAN 2019209232 CS1113A
2. NOOR NAZHATUL ASHIKIN 2019285812 CS1113A
BINTI KAMAL
Table Of Content
NO CONTENT PAGE
1.0 Original Argumentative Article 1-2
2.0 Evaluative Commentary Outline 3-6
3.0 Evaluative Commentary Essays 7-8
4.0 References 9
1.0 Original Argumentative Article
Is Online Learning as Good as Face-to-Face Learning?
By Rozana Sani - April 10, 2020 @ 2:50pm
ONE would expect for a generation that is exposed to the use of technology and are mostly
digitally literate since young, university students would embrace the prospect of an online
learning environment that follows the imposition of the movement control order (MCO).
While mentally prepared to undergo a longer confinement period because of the Covid-19
pandemic, students interviewed by Higher ED said they do have concerns about learning in an
online mode fully despite having been initiated to online learning through activities such as
online lectures and coursework previously.
Aisyah Raihana Abd Razak, 23, who is pursuing a degree in English for Intercultural
Communication at Universiti Teknologi Mara Shah Alam said not being in a physical face-to-
face environment may be a little awkward, but it is something students can get used to.
However, her concern is whether all students will have an effective learning experience if faced
with an unstable Internet connection.
“I am staying with my parents and the Internet is steady and fast enough for learning from
home. Other classmates may not have the same privilege. So that may cause some disruption
to groupmates or the class during presentations, for example, as there will be glitches and this
can affect their performance and grades,” she said.
Aisyah said to address this issue, institutions should provide a clear guideline to lecturers on
how to overcome this concern especially in terms of assessment.
“Some assessments may need reconstructions and conduct more conveniently.”
The delivery of lectures could also be affected if network bandwidth issues occur.
Shalini Magandran, 23, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) at Tunku Abdul
Rahman University College said unstable network access will disrupt live lectures.
“In such a situation, students would not be able to raise questions during the lecture. A point in
case is my course where there are hundreds of students. Hence, if that happens, only the
lecturer can speak in a live lecture involving a large group due to network constraints.
“Universities can encourage lecturers or tutors to do pre-recorded lectures so that students will
be able to watch them as and when they want. This way, questions can be easily raised as well
without any confusion,” she said.
1
Shalini said a two-way learning method for lectures and tutorials should also be encouraged so
there is better lecturer-student engagement.
Student ethics during exams is a concern voiced by Asia Pacific University student Mirza Abdul
Mutalib Muhammed Hafiz.
The 18-year-old pursuing a Diploma in ICT (Software Engineering) said if assessments and
tests are conducted through online means, what is stopping the students from checking
answers in their notes and books.
“In my opinion, lecturers and universities have done enough to educate students on ethics. The
students must be responsible enough to undertake online learning and assessments ethically,”
he said.
Foundation in Science student at UCSI Chooi Xian Wern, 17, is finding online learning during
the MCO period quite refreshing.
“I find it super convenient and fun to wake up in the morning and just start my laptop and boom,
everything and everyone is present for the online class. And I'm fortunate enough to have really
good lecturers that make learning fun and are happy to help with any questions or problems we
have.
“I was kind of concerned about how we as a class were going to interact with each other during
this whole stay-at-home thing, but we all interacted more via texting. It was fun as, during in-
person classes, we would usually all be silent and keep to ourselves. Online classes gave us a
medium to chat and talk while learning and get to know each other better,” she said.
To ensure students do not get distracted, Chooi suggested that lecturers make use of online
applications so students can engage in learning through a plethora of mediums.
“I know some have used YouTube videos as examples to teach, as well as online quizzes,
games, and such. It makes learning fun and interactive for the student instead of just having to
sit in front of a computer and stare at the screen,” she said.
(689 WORDS)
2
2.0 Evaluative Commentary Outline
INTRODUCTION
The article was written by Rozana Sani, titled "Is online learning as good as face to face?”
BODY PARAGRAPH 1
Students should argue for an unstable
Main Point 1
internet connection.
Some students may have a steady and fast
internet connection to learn from home, but
Supporting Detail 1
other students may not have the same
advantages.
During the presentation, it will cause some
Evidence 1
interruption to the group members or class,
as there will be glitches.
3
BODY PARAGRAPH 2
Main Point 2 Online learning is pretty refreshing.
Supporting Detail 2 Students attend classes just like real-time
classes in virtual classrooms through online
learning, but they have a lot of versatility.
Evidence 2
This allows them to enjoy family time,
hobbies, sports, and other activities.
BODY PARAGRAPH 3
Online classes have given us a medium to
Main Point 3
chat and talk while learning and get to know
each other better.
Lecturers use online applications so that
Supporting Detail 3
students can engage in learning through a
wide range of mediums.
Make online learning more fun and interactive
for students instead of just sitting in front of
Evidence 3
the computer and staring at the screen.
4
PERSONAL CRITIQUE
Statement 1
Students should argue for an unstable
internet connection.
Your stand regarding statement 1 from the
article We fully agree with this statement
Personal reason to support statement 1
The failure to complete homework will be one
of the main challenges faced by students
without internet connectivity at home
Evidence from another article as a back-up
point Students that do not attend online classes or
do any research studies without the internet
will influence student’s academic
performances
Reference 1 Lynch, Matthew. “THE ABSENCE OF
INTERNET AT HOME IS A PROBLEM FOR
SOME STUDENTS.” Theedadvocate,
EDTECH & INNOVATION, 31 March 2017.
https://www.theedadvocate.org/the-absence-
of-internet-at-home-is-a-problem-for-some-
students/
Statement 2
Online learning is pretty refreshing.
Your stand regarding statement 2 from the
article Students do not have to rush like they have
face-to-face classes
5
Personal reason to support statement 2
Students attend classes just like real-time
classes in virtual classrooms through online
learning, but they have a lot of versatility
Evidence from another article as a back-up
point In online courses, students are unmotivated.
Reference 2 Weele, Catherine Van. “Opinion: Online
classes are not effective in educating
students.” Daily Aztec, 5 February 2020.
https://thedailyaztec.com/98532/opinion/onlin
e-classes-are-not-effective-in-educating-their-
students/
CONCLUSION
Restatement of Personal Critique
Online learning is far distinct from face-to-
face learning.
Final Comments
Students taking an online class must
demonstrate educational and professional
abilities.
6
3.0 Evaluative Commentary Essays
ONLINE LEARNING VS FACE TO FACE
The article was written by Rozana Sani, titled "Is online learning as good as face to
face? " (2020). This article is the center of attention on how students should express their
opinion by pleading politely. She encourages students to be open about the opinions of others
even if they are against them.
Firstly, Rozana Sani argues that students should argue for an unstable internet
connection. Some students may have a fast internet connection to learn from home, but others
may not have the same advantages. For example, during the presentation, it will cause some
interruption to the group members, as there will be glitches. It can have an impact on their
performance and their grades.
Next, Sani says online learning is pretty refreshing. Students do not have to rush like
they have face-to-face classes. Students attend classes just like real-time classes in virtual
classrooms through online learning, but they have a lot of versatility. This allows them to enjoy
family time, hobbies, sports, and other activities without missing out on a lesson.
Furthermore, the author states that online classes have given a medium to chat while
learning and get to know each other better. Lecturers use online applications so that students
can engage in learning through a wide range of mediums. It can make online learning more fun
and interactive for students instead of just sitting in front of the computer and staring at the
screen.
In our overall view, we partially agree with Rozana Sani's statements. For the
introductory, we completely agree with her affirmation. We all understand the damage caused
by the pandemic in education has been rough at the moment, but we believe that inspiring the
students to share their point of view, can be an incentive for students to openly express their
thoughts or concerns through expressing views or disagreements.
7
Rozana Sani says that “students should argue for an unstable internet connection." We
fully agree with this statement. The failure to complete homework will be one of the main
challenges faced by students without internet connectivity at home. Furthermore, students that
do not attend online classes or do any research studies without the internet will influence
student’s academic performances. Our justification is supported by Matthew Lynch in his article,
“THE ABSENCE OF INTERNET AT HOME IS A PROBLEM FOR SOME STUDENTS” (2017).
Next, Sani (2020) says that "online learning is pretty refreshing." We both disagree with
this opinion. This is because it may be difficult for some of the students to understand some of
the subjects, particularly when it comes to a subject with calculations. In online courses,
students are unmotivated due to their inability to learn. Besides, they may miss any points that
have been discussed by the lecturer in any online class meeting if the student does not
participate in the lesson directly. Catherine Van Weele (2020) agrees with us when she says
that “Students cannot raise their hands to ask questions during a lecture to explain the
information or to share their ideas with the class. This makes it harder for students to
understand the content and build new connections in their brains.”
In conclusion, online learning is far distinct from face-to-face learning. Both methods of
learning have benefits and disadvantages for the students. It is difficult for students to deal with
online learning at first, but once the learners get used to the new culture, they can find that
online learning is an exciting new form of learning. Nevertheless, in order to be a good online
student, students taking an online class must demonstrate educational and professional abilities
to think and act independently.
(599 WORDS)
8
4.0 REFERENCES
1. Sani, Rozana. “Students concerned over learning fully online.” New Straits Times, New
Straits Times, New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd, 10 April 2020,
https://www.nst.com.my/education/2020/04/583091/students-concerned-over-learning-
fully-online.
2. Kassim, Dr. Noor Lide Abu. “Distance learning must learn from the face-to-face
approach.” New Straits Times, w Straits Times, New Straits Times Press (M)
Bhd.https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2020/04/587290/distance-learning-
must-learn-face-face-approach
3. Assistant Professor Dr. Muhammad Faris Abdullah Director Office for Strategy and
Institutional Change International Islamic University Malaysia. “Online learning must not
compromise on quality.” Daily Express, 9 JUNE 2020.
https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/read/3739/online-learning-must-not-compromise-on-
quality/
4. LEVIN, JUDITH. “Learning in Classrooms Versus Online.” NYTimes, The New York
Times, 25 July 2012.
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/26/opinion/learning-in-classrooms-versus-online.html
5. Lynch, Matthew. “THE ABSENCE OF INTERNET AT HOME IS A PROBLEM FOR
SOME STUDENTS.” Theedadvocate, EDTECH & INNOVATION, 31 March 2017.
https://www.theedadvocate.org/the-absence-of-internet-at-home-is-a-problem-for-some-
students/
6. Weele, Catherine Van. “Opinion: Online classes are not effective in educating students.”
Daily Aztec, 5 February 2020. https://thedailyaztec.com/98532/opinion/online-classes-
are-not-effective-in-educating-their-students/
