As we all know, there are many differences between online Chinese learning and traditional Chinese learning. Since 1998, the Chinese Ministry of Education has approved of 68 institutions of higher learning experimenting with Web-based education in China, and that 1.373 million students were registered in Web-based institutions by the end of 2002. Chinese policy-makers have commonly extolled the advantages of advanced, western technologies.

Online Chinese learning is leading to a concerted move from teacher-centered to a more learner-centered style. In normal school, Chinese students usually receive formal education in the classroom. The Chinese teacher organizes and controls the whole class. If there are some activities which require the students to participate, the students still need to follow the teacher’s instruction. So the Chinese students learn the knowledge passively. While the online Chinese learning environment has increased and extended the use of educational resources developed by conventional universities and provided new ways of thinking and new methods of teaching and learning. The move to online instruction has resulted in quality educational resources being shared by the teacher and the students, and in increases educational services for campus-based Chinese classes. Besides the learning environment, the multiple resources offered by the school and the internet are different for the Chinese students to choose.

The resources used in the traditional learning are limited while the resources on the internet are various. Chinese students’ traditional learning is based on the book equipped only with words and sometimes pictures as well. If there is less interaction between the Chinese teacher and the students, the learners feel bored and annoyed in the class. The learning speed is slowed down and sometimes may even cause the bad influence in learning. But logging onto the internet is a good way to study, as the materials on the internet are rich and colorful without national limits, thus the latest information can be obtained in time. Unlike previous technologies, the Internet, which is accepted as the concrete compound of these technologies, provides users with the trio of audio, text and visual materials (movie or picture) digitally and simultaneously. This new, multi-channeled and multi-referential environment allows the interaction between human and machine, allows users to individually plan their learning process and has changed the traditional attitudes and habits related to reading. So the students of Chinese classes will be active in absorbing the new knowledge. Although there are so many benefits on online learning, online learning may bring bad influence on Chinese students’ health.

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