I've taught both online and in-person classes for five years, and the difference in student engagement is stark. In my experience, online classes lose about a third of students by mid-semester, mostly because they can't stay focused without the structure of a physical room. Some argue it's just about self-discipline, but I think the format itself is the problem for most people. Do the convenience and flexibility of online learning really outweigh the drop in participation and comprehension, or are we just accepting a lower standard?