Brick and mortar school refers to education that takes place at a physical school, as opposed to a virtual or cyber-school environment. Brick-and-mortar is still the dominant approach to education, and although online schooling does have advantages, students and their future employers give preference to the experience of a physical school. In this setting, students typically spend a particular set amount of time during the day being educated face-to-face by their teachers in a school building.
What Is Brick and Mortar Education?
You can basically understand the context of brick and mortar education by its own specific name. Brick and mortar is the traditional way to attend school, with students coming to campus and attending classes in physical classrooms.
Being still the most dominant form of pursuing an education, brick and mortar schools allow students to interact with one another and discuss their queries with teachers face-to-face.
Probably this is what keeps this form of traditional learning still so much in demand, as students can communicate with their classmates or ask questions personally to the lecturer. They feel more serious regarding their exams, towards every deadline that comes their way and commit to regular attendance.
However, this kind of school lifestyle does not suit the mindset of some other students. Attendance, lack of flexibility, location and campus life are exactly the components that they find disturbing; therefore, they choose to withdraw. They know that them being late or absent is something that can be held against them later on in exams.
Or maybe the schedule of lectures does not follow with their part-time job and makes their attendance in the class impossible. Overall, campus life sounds overwhelming, and little to no flexibility may as well feel like a threat to their willingness to learn. Luckily, technology made other options available to them.
What Is Online Learning?
Online learning is known as the education that takes place over the Internet. Often named as “eLearning”, or “distance learning” – online learning involves the umbrella term for any learning that takes place across distance and not in a traditional classroom.
Schools nowadays use LMS (Learning Management Systems) such as Moodle, Blackboard, or such similar software as a replacement for classes. Assignments are submitted online, discussions are in a forum format and emailing professors is very immediate.
This excellent learning methodology comes along with convenience, greater flexibility, and greater accessibility. Lessons can be completed around your schedule without leaving home or having to relocate depending on the rain, snow, or any natural disaster.
Even the costs are lesser as most online programs cost less than brick and mortar. That’s because room and board, parking, books and attendance fees are not included. Still, you get the same benefits and level of knowledge as you would from traditional classrooms. For instance, our online degree programs are designed and taught by industry professionals.
We are dedicated to ensure that the quality, relevance and discipline of our online programs are the same as our on-ground programs. The online course presentations are updated regularly, taking into consideration the world’s constant academic evolution in online education.
Some of the cons of online programs may involve a lack of determination, low retention rates and less social interaction. This is most likely the reason why fewer degree choices are offered online than through traditional learning. But if you have the willingness and commitment, you shouldn’t be discouraged.
Blended learning
Blended learning, also called as “hybrid learning” or “mixed-mode” learning, generally describes the practice of combining online, digital or computer-based learning methods–where students have some control over when, where, how and how fast they learn–with traditional face-to-face instruction at a location away from their home.
As practiced in classrooms, blended learning models can vary significantly from school to school, as there are at least six different models of blended learning. Blended learning represents a very different way of delivering education, which is flexible, differentiated, personalized and technologically driven. Teacher’s guide and support students individually or in small groups, and students work independently or in small groups at their own speed in a digital format.
As a form of competency-based learning, students are constantly being assessed and advanced according to their own achievement. Thus, for example, students take tests when they are ready, for which they receive grades almost immediately, and advance at different speeds, not necessarily with their age cohort.
Blended learning is a hot topic among educators who believe technology-aided learning is the most unique, and potentially most vital way to improve student performance. They describe blended learning not as education reform, but as a transformation, because it would change the way students are assessed by getting rid of the Carnegie unit, which is based on seat-time, as the standard measure for assessment.
Critics, however, are skeptical of the educational utility and value of online learning, and claim it may not be suitable for some teachers, who are less technologically literate and thus require more training, and less self-motivated students, who require more supervision.
Blended learning is a formal education program in which a student learns:
- At least in part through online learning, with some element of student control over time, place, path, and/or pace
- At least in part in a supervised brick-and-mortar location away from home
- And the modalities along each student’s learning path within a course or subject are connected to provide an integrated learning experience.
Comparision between Online schooling and Brick and mortar school?
Today, learning takes place in various modalities. Students can choose from face-to-face classes, asynchronous methods, hybrid or a mixture of face-to-face and online classes, or 100% online or virtual classrooms.
Through these learning settings, students and teachers get to share physical classroom interactions or purely online interactions. Virtual learning instills independence in distance learners, allowing them to utilize resources that are within their reach. By visiting virtual libraries and accessing resources available online, students become more adept in research.
Studies have shown, however, that context significantly influences student’s learning process. Online virtual education takes out young learners’ opportunities to engage with their peers in a safe, controlled environment like the classroom.
Online schools and traditional brick-and-mortar schools share the same goal: to provide quality education and produce lifelong competent, productive learners. With more advanced technology, virtual learning has become a household choice for education. Most importantly, with major threats in health and security, parents are leaning towards online education.
Admittedly, one has some advantages over the other, depending on how you look at it. We will weigh in on this, so you have a background on how online schools and the traditional brick-and-mortar schools differ from one another.
LOCATION
Online schooling happens in the comfort of your home. Say goodbye to missing the bus! Teachers and students can interact just the same even if they are miles away. This instantly fixes the geographical issues that affect many students and teachers. Not to mention, if a student is mildly sick, they could still attend the class and never miss a class.
In an online class, you can use different apps and programs for taking exams, finish projects, and collaborate with your classmates. With that said, it requires a steady internet connection and a computer setup that could handle the demand of a virtual classroom.
Of course, students need to have at least the basic knowledge of how to navigate various online tools. High school kids are expected to be a tech-savvy, but regularly attending online classes can still be demanding and exhausting
On the other hand, brick and mortar schools require everyone, teachers, and students to be physically present. They would also need suitable space for teaching such as classrooms, laboratories, and gyms.
Schools also need to maintain reliable personnel to ensure that the premises are safe and conducive to learning. The cost of running a school and hiring competent staff and seeking top-notch educators is a monetary burden shared by the students and the parents.
COST
Online schools are expected to be cheaper than your brick-and-mortar schools. Yes, there are still online schools out there that could compete with traditional schools price-wise. But going online means no more utility bills for the buildings.
There is no need for janitors or other support staff, so students will no longer shoulder these fees. You will not be required to buy books or unnecessary school supplies. And did we already mention that you can finish all your schoolwork at home without having to commute again?
But then again, aside from the online school fees, you have to consider the cost of investing in gadgets that you need to be comfortable learning online. You need to have a reliable internet connection through a monthly subscription.
Also, consider your electric bill and other utility bills. Bear in mind, though, that compared with the fees required in a brick-and-mortar school, these are minimal expenses!
TIME
In terms of attendance, there is not much of a difference between online schools and brick-and-mortar schools. You still need to be present during online school hours. But you do not have to take off a fraction of your day preparing yourself to go to school.
Look presentable (dress appropriately!) and log on to your virtual classroom. If you could not be bothered to prepare at all, there are days when you will not be required to turn your camera on.
Yes, there will come a time that your alarm will not go off or something will go wrong with your computer, but, at least, you do not have to worry about traffic or bad weather. A majority of online high schools offer modules that you can complete at home, at your own pace, or asynchronous learning.
Some learning materials like videos and tutorials are even pre-recorded so you can view them anytime. Given that online schooling is more relaxed in terms of your time, you can pick up a part-time job or even discover a new hobby.
SOCIAL INTERACTION
Online schools do not require everyone to meet face-to-face. All social interactions take place online or virtually. This is, arguably, one of the perks of distance learning, especially for introverted students. Introverted students thrive in a self-paced environment, which requires more writing and less talking. In traditional instructions, students are often forced to do ■■■■ presentations in a space where failure equals embarrassment.
In a virtual high school, high school students like you can shoot an email to your teacher if you have questions or concerns. Some students would find this difficult, yes. There isn’t any hard and fast rule in a student’s ability to learn and digest information.
You will get easily distracted when there is no teacher present, or the tendency to procrastinate is stronger. Others could easily lose motivation or drive to finish a virtual classroom task, but in abundance in a traditional classroom setting brings. We cannot discount the fact that building social skills among high school students poses a challenge in an online school.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Generally, parents’ involvement in brick-and-mortar schools is limited to dropping off or picking up the students and attending school activities. In online schooling, parents are vital to their children’s academic success.
Your students will depend on you to create an environment that is conducive to their learning. You will be the adult in the house that will make sure they remain safe both online and in real life. Yes, it is another workload for you, but this also an opportunity for you to bond with your kids. Plus, you get to be more involved in their learning process.
QUALITY OF EDUCATION
For now, we cannot definitively gauge, which provides superior quality education and produces superior graduates. Some research would tell you that online is better, some would say otherwise, and others believe it is highly dependent on the student.
How we deliver education is evolving. Teachers are finding new ways to get their lessons across. Colleges and universities are now offering online classes for those having some difficulties going to school. Others would offer blended learning, a combination of both because new opportunities and access to education have become available. The saying “school is cool” has never been truer.
Online learning vs Brick and mortar learning costs
Online degrees cost as little as 80 times less than traditional degrees
| Total average cost of traditional degrees | $85,000 |
| Total average cost of online degrees | $30,000 |
Consider These 5 Reasons for Attending a Brick-and-Mortar School
- Access to Physical Learning Resources
- Facilities for Students
- The Campus Experience
- In-person Tutoring and Faculty Access
- Counseling and Healthcare Services
A person who wants to advance their education should look at these five reasons to attend a brick and mortar school. Online degree programs and extension education services have grown rapidly in the past few years, but they may not be the best option for everyone. Here are five benefits of going to a brick-and-mortar college.
1. Access to Physical Learning Resources
Some students do better at learning when they have access to physical learning resources. A student may want to visit the campus library in person, pull a reference book off of the shelves and use it for their research paper. Some reference materials cannot be checked out of a library, so an in-person visit is essential.
Students may not have a computer for submitting papers or using the university’s communications or testing systems, so they might need to go to the computer lab for those aspects of their work.
2. Facilities for Students
Brick-and-mortar colleges have a lot of facilities that are dedicated to student use. For example, the student union on campus usually has gathering spaces, meeting rooms, study areas, libraries, a cafe or cafeteria, coffee shop, book store, lounge and more.
Most college campuses also have gyms or indoor aquatic centers for students to use. These places include locker rooms, showers, fitness equipment, scales and other equipment and services that a student could use for maintaining their health and well-being.
3. The Campus Experience
According to Pennsylvania State University, another one of the reasons to attend a brick and mortar college is the campus experience. College campuses have a lot of activities. A student might want to join a club based on an interest or their future career. They might want to join a fraternity or sorority.
Some people like to attend sports events at their college. Dances, races, charity events, guest speakers and rallies are some of the other in-person activities that take place weekly on college campuses.
4. In-person Tutoring and Faculty Access
Some people communicate or learn better in person. Students who need some extra help with a subject may benefit from the in-person tutoring or office hours held by teaching assistants and faculty members.
It may also be easier to get feedback on a paper or project by meeting with the professor in person during their office hours. Students may also form study groups within certain classes. Practicing giving a speech or ■■■■ defense of a project is also easier to accomplish in person on a college campus.
5. Counseling and Healthcare Services
The pressure of being a college student can be overwhelming for some people. Attending a brick-and-mortar school campus provides a student with access to mental health services, including counseling. Most campuses have drop-in and appointment counseling services to help students who feel anxious, depressed or overwhelmed. The campus student health clinics also offer healthcare services for routine and emergency medical care.
The choice of where to go to college and which type of college environment to select is an important one. Some of the factors in the decision might include the cost, faculty, available majors, ability to do research, financial aid, internships, alumni and job services and the campus experience. Each of these reasons to attend a brick and mortar college should be considered by prospective students.
Brick and mortar School Statistics:
One study, conducted by the nonprofit group “Public Agenda,” reveals some statistics regarding student and employer preferences for brick-and-mortar education:
- 56% of employers prefer an applicant who has completed a degree from a wholly brick-and-mortar institution.
- 82% of employers believe that a blended approach, in which there are elements of both brick-and-mortar and virtual education, are more effective than a purely virtual approach.
- 61% of community college students believe that an online program requires more discipline than a brick-and-mortar program.
- 42% of those students believe one learns less in online programs, while only 3% believe one learns more.
This study examines only a few sides of the discussion, but is good evidence for the arguments in favor of a brick-and-mortar education.
Summary
Online degree programs and extension education services have grown rapidly in the past few years, but they may not be the best option for everyone. Above are five benefits of going to a brick-and-mortar college.
Frequently Asked Questions 
1- Why brick-and-mortar schools are better?
Brick and mortar schools provide students a traditional community environment with ample social opportunities. Students also get regular face-to-face contact with teachers and school staff, making it easier to get help outside of class.
2- Why is brick-and-mortar better than online school?
Unlike traditional bricks-and-mortar schools, online school offers parents the ability to control their child’s learning environment. In addition, learning at home may offer fewer distractions than a traditional classroom setting, allowing students to focus more easily and get the most out of their time.
3- What is brick-and-mortar strategy?
Brick-and-mortar marketing describes marketing strategies used by businesses that operate from a store or retail premises to increase foot traffic. These strategies can include digital marketing, offline, and out-of-home promotions.
4- Why is online school so hard?
Online learning is ■■■■■■ for many reasons; from missing crucial parts of your learning, to not being able to access your education because of the internet, online learning has been a rough adjustment. Many students have struggled to make the jump from physically being at school to learning virtually.
5- Why is online learning bad?
It’s tedious, it’s boring, and the amount of new information can be overwhelming. Not only it frustrates the students, but it also upsets the teacher. The lecturer gets distracted once in a while, too after all, we’re all human.
6- Does online school help with depression?
Students may become victims of bullying at school. For these students, virtual learning offers an escape from depression and anxiety caused by the fear of being bullied. For other students, virtual classes can also provide an escape from the constant weight of peer pressure.
7- Why do they call it brick and mortar?
The name is a metonym derived from the traditional building materials associated with physical buildings: bricks and mortar, however, it is applicable to all stores with a physical storefront, not just those built out of bricks and mortar.
8- Which is better online learning vs classroom learning?
Online learning can be as good as or even better than in-person classroom learning. Research has shown that students in online learning performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction, but it has to be done right.
9- Do online schools have breaks?
Some schools have classes in session during holidays and they may actually take an online break. Other than holidays, most online schools do not observe any other scheduled time off (i.e. spring and fall break, etc.).
10- Is studying online ■■■■■■?
It can be hard at times and requires a huge level of self-discipline, but there are some serious perks. You can study anywhere, at any time and you can have the flexibility to build your routine in a way that is not possible with face-to-face study.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, we observed that brick and mortar school is better than the other learning systems we discussed above, i.e. Online or virtual schooling and Blended Schooling system.