How to Choose the Optimal Teaching Style for Each Subject: English In-Person, Math Online

Is "In-Person is Best" Really True?

During the years of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools worldwide were forced to shift to online classes.
In Japan, there were many voices saying, "In-person is better" and "It's hard to stay motivated online." However, research results have emerged suggesting thatfor some subjects, students performed better online.

A paper published in November 2025 by a research team from the University of Notre Dame and others analyzed the impact of the shift to online learning on academic performance among Chinese university students using large-scale data.Phys.org

In short, the conclusion was that

"Quantitative subjects like mathematics saw better performance online,"

a result that might seem counterintuitive but makes sense upon reflection.

A "Natural Experiment" with 9 Chinese Universities and About 8,000 Students

The research team collected approximately 15,000 course enrollment records and performance data from about 8,000 students across nine universities in China.Phys.org

The key point is thatthe same classes were offered in-person before COVID-19 and online during lockdowns.

In other words, with professors, syllabi, and evaluation methods remaining almost the same, the only major change was "classroom or online," creating a "natural experiment."

Researchers statistically controlled for factors such as students' grades, majors, and prior performance while comparing scores from the "in-person period" and the "online period." They also accounted for regional differences in lockdown policies to carefully isolate the effects of going online.Phys.org

Math Scores Increased by an Average of 8-11 Points

The most striking result was thatscores in reasoning-based subjects like mathematics were 8-11 points higher (out of 100) after transitioning online.Phys.org

Why was there such a difference? The research team pointed out several factors.Phys.org

• Ability to Pause and Rewind Videos
  Students can review difficult proofs and calculation steps at their own pace multiple times.

• Ability to Repeat Examples and Exercises at Their Own Timing
  The risk of moving on without truly understanding is reduced.

• Less "Noise" Compared to Live Classes
  There is less classroom noise and chatter among friends, making it easier to concentrate.

On the other hand, for subjects centered on English or discussions, the improvement in performance due to going online was smaller, and in some cases, slightly worse than in-person classes.Phys.org

In other words,the study suggests that the issue is not whether "online is superior/inferior," but "which subjects are well-suited for online learning."

The "Fluctuation" in Academic Performance Due to Lockdown Policies

Another interesting point is thatthe strictness of government lockdown policies influenced the outcomes of online learning.Phys.org

• Strict stay-at-home orders that almost prohibited going out
  → Increased psychological stress among students, reducing the effectiveness of online learning.

• Relatively mild restrictions, such as workplace closures and public transport suspensions
  → With parents at home, it became easier to monitor children's learning, and the reduction in outside temptations helped enhance the effectiveness of online classes.

The research team analyzed that "the increased time parents spent at home may have allowed them to act as 'in-home tutors,' monitoring attendance and daily routines."Phys.org

Even with the same online classes,the overall stress level of society and family circumstances can sway the learning effect positively or negatively.

From "Emergency Substitute" to "Strategic Option" in Online Education

Associate Professor Xijie Lu, the lead author of the study, stated that the results suggest "online education is not just an emergency substitute, but if properly designed, it can achieve higher learning outcomes than in-person classes, especially for subjects that develop analytical skills."Phys.org

At the same time, they emphasize that the "design" of online classes is crucial for success.Phys.org

• Instead of just talking for 90 minutes on Zoom,combine short videos into an on-demand format

• Incorporate quizzes with automatic grading and interactive exercise tools

• Utilize forums and chat functions to create an environment where it's easy to ask questions

With these innovations, students can learn at their own pace, leveraging the strengths of online education. Conversely, merely broadcasting in-person classes online tends to result in a degraded copy.

Reactions on Social Media: Honest Opinions from Students, Teachers, and Parents

When the research results were reported, various reactions were seen on social media both overseas and in Japan (the following are typical voices summarized and reconstructed).

Voices from the Student Side

• "Honestly, math is better online. I can go back and review parts I don't understand as many times as I need, and I don't have to frantically take notes." (3rd-year science and engineering student)

• "Group work classes are awkward online. Breakout rooms where no one talks were hell..." (2nd-year humanities student)

• "If all tests are online, there might be people cheating, so we should be cautious when comparing grades."

Voices from the Teacher Side

• "For large lectures, recorded videos plus quizzes are sufficient. I'd like to focus in-person time on exercises and discussions." (University instructor)

• "It's true that it's hard to read students' 'confused faces' through a screen. The next challenge is whether AI log analysis can compensate for this."

Voices from Parents and Working Adults

• "Since my child started attending classes properly after I began working from home, I can see how lockdowns can positively impact learning."

• "For reskilling working adults, online is indispensable. Universities should reconsider the assumption that 'it must be in-person.'"

While there is a mix of support, criticism, and skepticism, overall, there seems to be a strong sense of

"It's not about online vs. in-person, but about finding the best mix for each subject and purpose."

Implications for Japanese Universities and Corporate Training

This study focused on Chinese universities, so it cannot be directly applied to Japan. However, several points provide strong implications for higher education in Japan.

1. Subjects like mathematics, statistics, and accounting, which follow a "blackboard + lecture" format, have significant room for online optimization.

   • By structuring courses with example videos, auto-graded quizzes, and individual feedback, more detailed learning support is possible than in a classroom.

2. For English and discussion-based classes, focus on in-person sessions while enhancing the "prep and review layer" online.

   • The idea is to divide roles, with vocabulary learning and listening done through apps, and debates and role-plays conducted in person.

3. It's necessary to focus not only on grades but also on mental health and feelings of isolation.

   • The finding that strict lockdowns reduced the effectiveness of online learning can also be read as a warning against excessive self-restraint and long hours online in Japan.Phys.org

4. Applicable to Corporate Training and Adult Education

   • For new employee training, the knowledge input part can be switched to online, while practical exercises and role-plays can be conducted in person. This redesign can be considered immediately.
     
     
     

Breaking Away from the Dichotomy of "Online vs. In-Person"

The biggest message conveyed by this study is very simple.

Instead of asking "which is superior,"
let's consider "how to design each subject under what conditions to maximize learning."

For subjects like mathematics and statistics, where understanding procedures is crucial, online learning that combines on-demand videos and interactive exercises has an advantage.
On the other hand, for subjects where dialogue and physical presence are important, such as theater, sports, and clinical practice, in-person learning will undoubtedly be the focus.

And in between, there will likely be an increase in **"hybrid subjects that can leverage the strengths of both"** in the future.

• Knowledge Input: Online (Videos + Quizzes)

• Understanding Confirmation: Online or Small Tests