Online learning can lack the benefit of spontaneous inquiry. In a traditional classroom setting, students can raise their hands and ask questions based on the lecture to increase their understanding of confusing subject matter. In an online learning environment, students have to hold their questions until the end of the lesson. Depending on the method of correspondence between student and teacher, the questions may become forgotten or remain unanswered, possibly negatively affecting a student's overall grade.
Online learning lacks the benefit of non-verbal communication. In a traditional classroom setting, teachers are able to observe non-verbal cues and use them to facilitate an optimal learning environment. If students are taking notes, nodding and following along with assigned reading during the class, a teacher knows the students are on track. If students are furrowing their brows, looking around at each other, doodling or daydreaming, a teacher may re-visit specific material to increase their level of understanding. In an online setting, a teacher has no way of knowing how well the students comprehend the lesson.
In traditional classroom settings, peers assist one another with understanding the material through asking and answering questions, sparking classroom discussions and facilitating study groups. Students in online classrooms don't have the benefit of interacting with each other, which can limit their overall learning experience.
Distractions are limited in a traditional classroom setting; students are required to turn off their cell phones and are discouraged from having personal side conversations. In an online classroom, students typically work from the convenience of their homes. They may be distracted by cell phones, television, radio, children, spouses or roommates. There is no way to guarantee a student is paying full attention to the lesson at hand.
Classroom learning provides certain resources unavailable to the online learner. Students have access to libraries, laboratories and archives. Traditional classroom students also have greater access to their professors than online learners. Meeting to discuss an assignment, research paper, exam or lesson requires no more than visiting a professor during office hours.