The Art of Learning Art

Traditional Art Classes vs Online Courses

Martina Pook, 12 June 2018

The plethora of online teaching methods these days, has led to a great debate: Is it better to learn via traditional, in-person approaches, or are online courses the way to go? Well, the answer is: It depends! Yes, that does sound like a very “non-committal” response – but for a good reason. Suffice to say, however, at this point, that when it comes to learning Art, the question should not be “Is it better…?”, but rather “Is it more effective…?” 

The Great Debate

To take on the great debate about which learning tool is best, we first must agree that both traditional and online approaches have their pros and cons. When it comes to some subjects, like teaching programming skills or imparting accounting knowledge, online is a great instructional method. Others, like PC repairs or fixing automobiles, are far better learned in-person. However, there are few disciplines that can be learned both in-person or through online teaching mediums, and art is one of them. 

While the advantages of learning art online can’t be ignored, if you ask any professional art teacher, he or she will be in the best position to provide an informed answer as to what makes enrolling in traditional art classes so significant.

Learning” a subject like art isn’t the end objective. It is how “effective” the teaching process is that really counts. 

Eventually, anyone can pick up a skill if he/she perseveres online. However, the quality of the “learning journey” matters too! And art classes, under the directions of a patient, experienced and knowledgeable teacher, can offer a fulfilling and rewarding journey compared to online courses. Here are ten reasons why:

Since online courses are self-directed, students often give up as soon as they encounter a challenge while learning to draw, paint or sketch. In an instructor-led environment, the student is motivated (primarily by the instructor) to persevere until the problem is resolved.
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Individuals who book participation in a traditional art class, usually commit themselves to attending the class and to closely follow the schedule. That’s because it takes a much higher degree of commitment to go the face-to-face route, as opposed to a few clicks of a mouse to register for an online course.
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Unlike online art pod-casts, tutorials, blogs or websites, a student attending a face-to-face class can pose a question directly to the instructor, and receive in-person, real-time feedback.
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One of the greatest successes of traditional art classes, is that it fosters social interaction and peer-learning. When you meet fellow-students at the venue, you share your successes and challenges with them. They, in turn, share theirs with you. In the process, students learn skills that no book or video tutorials can teach!
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Art is a subject of “nuances”. And nuances can only be appreciated through close observation and in-person interaction. If you can’t understand a particular technique while watching an online tutorial, you can re-play the segment…over, and over…and over again – which can sometimes frustrate and demoralize you! But when you have an instructor available right in front of you, all you need to do is ask them (just once!), and they can immediately correct or explain the nuances that you are struggling with.
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The ability to tailor open art classes to fit the needs of each individual student, is another reason why personalized instructor-led art classes are so effective.

When an art instructor coaches you on technique or style, he/she can immediately spot your mistakes and offer corrective guidance. Often times, such feedback is provided long before your incorrect technique is grounded into habit.
 

With a face-to-face class, the instructor and student form a bond of trust. This leads to students being more open to seek and accept help and support. The motivation and encouragement thus provided goes a long way in building new artist’s confidence in their own abilities.
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The frustration of not understanding a particular segment in an online course, often compels learners to either skip that segment, or drop the course all together. But in a teacher-led environment, low motivation or lack of commitment to the class is quickly addressed either by friends and fellow-students attending the class with you, or through motivational techniques employed by the teacher. 
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Most online courses have certain prerequisites: You must have prior knowledge about a particular Browser. You should be familiar with a particular Operating System. You should be adept with the drawing software, apps or programs being used. When it comes to traditional art lessons, all you need to know will be taught to you by your art instructor – the only prerequisite is your willingness and desire to learn!

When it comes to debating whether to enrol in a traditional art class or register online for an art course, consider the above points carefully before making your decision. There’s no reason why you can’t use online teaching aids to further your knowledge of art. However, if you want to build a strong foundation of art learning, then your best chance for doing so is with the help of an in-person instructor – not an impersonal App!

Let’s take a look at what researchers say about that.

The Verdict is in!

​Undoubtedly, online learning resources can play a great supplemental role when students, especially those new to the subject, trying to pick up the fundamentals (and complexities) of art. But, for all of the reasons outlined above…and more, making an instructor-led method your primary teaching option is indispensable.  

There’s ample research from credible sources, like the Brookings Institution, that undeniably confirms that online learning can have its challenges. The study concludes that learners: 

“…consistently perform worse in an online setting than they do in face-to-face classrooms.” 

That’s particularly true when learning a subject as nuanced as art. Other research, conducted by the Community College Research Center (Columbia University), confirmed that: 

“…failure and withdrawal rates were significantly higher for online courses than for face-to-face courses.” 

When making complex choices, evidence-based decisions are often the best way to move forward. Both online and off-line training has something to offer. But the evidence overwhelmingly supports the fact that traditional art classes are much more effective than online courses, especially when you give up easily while learning how to draw and paint.

​Martina Pook

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