Why do classrooms exist in the first place?

In the previous blog we discussed the challenger that is free youtube videos for learning especially for humanities courses at university. Mostly set out well by Jordan Peterson. There is an argument that this is extended to the sciences as well as A levels, sixth form college, exam centres like the Exam House and even GCSE pupils.

To discuss the opposite and balance the argument, pointing out the benefits of classroom and lecture hall learning. Perhaps with this balanced debate out of which will come an answer to how the future will look.

Why do classrooms exist in the first place?

Throughout history and without modern technology the only way to communicate was through the spoken word. Along came in the 16th century the printing press followed by publishing. Up until then it was only the places of worship that had the vast majority of readers. So any learning had to be done through the spoken word.

The Victorians made everyone have compulsory reading skills. All this time the classroom was the most effective place to learn. Humans are better at listening as they are to reading silently. The latter being something inaptly human rather than manifestation of cultures which the written word is.

Out of the learning spaces that speaking and listening hall dominated by ecclesiastical endeavours. While places of study and worship and literacy went together. Then we have the coupling of exams attached to the entrance to these places of learning and opportunities usually for government. A previous blog and one of the first discusses why we have exams in the first place.

The learning space, classroom, lecture hall was as much about hearing and listening to the spoken word than anything else. University libraries are nothing merely libraries without their lecture halls. With the lecture halls they become places of learning and university in their properties .

The dissemination of knowledge mostly through the spoken word with the community and cohort of collaboration which is a classroom or lecture hall. The fellowship of learning, the relationships , the nuance and the cadence that come from classroom interaction is so much about learning.

Schools and classrooms have been built and seating plans have been arranged all so to improve the learning opportunity that is given with the class.

So how does the online learning going to tackle to maintain the best of the classroom properties while delivering online? Are we at the point that Jordon Peterson says is the tipping point to universities and their high jacking of the classroom space with left wing ideology. Leaving students searching for more balanced and value for money courses, mostly online.

In doing so is this pushing the technology, while actually getting to the point that classroom characteristics like that have been set up above are now deliverable from a computer screen.