Online vs. Online Coding Classes Face-to-Face Classes: How to Decide

Live online classes have become a popular format for children and teens to learn. Many parents ask whether my child should take online classes or face-to-face coding classes? This depends on the individual situation and specific program. This article shares key factors to consider when parents do research.

Founded in 2018, Create & Learn has been at the forefront of providing the best coding classes for kids and teens. From the start, we’ve strived to give students more flexibility, more choices, and lower costs. We recognize the value of online learning—it is the best approach to achieve our goal of educating all K-12 students in computer science. The same reasons we base our decisions on still apply today.

We understand that not all online programs are created equal, and that is why we hold ourselves to high standards. Of course, we encourage you to evaluate all your options carefully. Let’s explore some of the many reasons online learning can help your students, as well as the pros and cons of in-person learning.

Discover the Benefits of Online Coding Classes for Kids

From learning from smart people wherever you live to saving time on commutes, to finding ways to fit education into your students’ busy schedules, here are some of the many reasons why online coding classes could be the best solution for your kids.

1-Better Quality of Teachers

Teacher quality is one of the most important factors for student success. Surely you remember your childhood when a talented teacher inspired you to be more interested in a subject. A skilled teacher has the ability to break down complex ideas into smaller, more manageable, and easier for students to understand. A skilled teacher can spark joy in learning! And they can use relevant examples and real-life scenarios to help students understand abstract concepts. Additionally, enthusiastic and engaging teachers can inspire students to become more interested in the subject, fostering a love of learning that can last a lifetime. With online education, your students can learn from the best teachers in the US, rather than just teachers within your driving distance. This ensures your students receive the best education without travel restrictions.

Save 2 Times for Parents

For any busy parent, saving time is key. Students are involved in more activities than ever before. With online education, you don’t have to worry about transportation to and from a physical location. You no longer need to take your child to class, wait for them to finish, then take them home. This can save a lot of time, especially if the class is located far from home or if traffic is heavy. You also don’t have to wait until the class is over, but your child will still be in the comfort of his own home.

3-Flexible Scheduling

Kids are busy these days! Online classes can be more flexible than traditional face-to-face classes. You can choose classes that fit your student’s schedule, whether that’s taking classes after school, on the weekends, or even during the day for homeschoolers. During the summer, camping options are available – so you can choose which one suits you best! This flexibility allows you to better manage your time and fit in other important tasks and responsibilities.

As just one example, our online classes run from 9:00 AM Eastern Time to 8:00 PM Pacific Time because teachers are in different time zones in the US and can support different student preferences.

We also open new classes every week for most subjects, so your children can start learning at the right level straight away, rather than having to mix with students who join at different times.

4-More Class Options with Expert Teachers

There are only a few things a teacher can master in different subjects. And the teaching skills required for different age groups are also different. While face-to-face classes have only a few staff members, online classes tend to be staffed by hundreds of different teachers who have been trained to specialize.

For example, a teacher who majored in early childhood education could teach an entry-level Scratch class to 2nd graders, while a Unity engineer could teach game development in middle and high school. Online classes can match students with specific teachers with specific skills and expertise needed. This ties directly into the idea that your child will be taught by the best experts in the field!

5-Lower Costs

With online classes, there is no need to rent or maintain a physical space, or pay for facilities such as electricity and water. Many in-person education companies also need to properly compensate teachers for their driving time, which also requires additional costs. Online classes do not have these elements, allowing for extra savings. Here at Create & Learn, we pass those cost savings on to our students. Both students and teachers join from the comfort of their own homes!

6-More Personalization With Smaller Groups

Face-to-face group classes tend to be large groups of students – with around 25 students. Online classes allow for more personalization and support, with a maximum of only 5 students per class. Classes will usually meet with the same group of children each week, helping to foster a sense of community. As a result, in an online setting, your students will have more opportunities to show their work, ask questions, and collaborate.

Students should not feel intimidated about attending large face-to-face meetings, but they can excel in smaller groups.

7-More Surveillance Possible

One of the biggest problems with in-person camps and classes is that parents have no way to judge the quality of the teaching. Based on the experience of our Founder, Jessie and her daughter who attended many programs, most face-to-face classroom teaching is of relatively low quality because teachers have too many children to take care of and teachers are not well trained. With online classes, parents are welcome to be close to their students to monitor what they are learning.

By eliminating transportation, offering flexibility, and providing a high-quality learning experience, online classes can help parents manage their time more effectively while ensuring their children get the best education.

Opportunities Provided By Face-to-Face Coding Classes

There are some situations where face-to-face classes may still be necessary to learn computer science. If you want to find a place for your kids to be supervised during the day in the summer while you’re at work, in-person classes could be a great option. Or if there is an after-school coding program your child can take at their school while you work, that may be necessary.

Why Create & Learn’s Award-Winning Computer Science Class is a Perfect Fit

Today we are pleased to offer online classes led live by expert instructors in more than 35 subjects, giving your students the most comprehensive computer science education available online. Our curriculum was co-developed by experienced technology experts and educators, from Google, Apple, Stanford, and MIT, with a strong focus on developing students’ creativity and critical thinking skills using project-based and inquiry learning. Our classes have been recognized by Minecraft Education, Facebook, HulaFrog, ActivityHero, Meta, and more. We regularly host free events with speakers from NASA, Google, Pixar, and other leading companies. Join us to discover the wonders of technology and have fun!

Get started by joining our most popular live online beginner-friendly coding classes, based on your child’s grade level: ScratchJr (K-2); Ninja Scratch (2-5); Accelerated Scratching (5+).