Once it was clear that the internet would alter life as we knew it, it was only a matter of time before it started changing the way we do things.
Education would be no different, evolving into several forms, including full-time courses for degrees and diplomas, part-time courses, niche courses in highly specific areas, and free online courses to offer as many people access to learning as possible. And soon, online education would prove itself to be a highly useful education tool for the following reasons:
Flexibility
One of the most significant causes of traditional face to face learning dropouts is related to time. Too often, the student has competing priorities that make attending classes difficult. More students than ever need to work while studying to finance their education and basic living expenses as few parents can afford to pay their children’s way through college. The alternative option is crippling student loans that will follow the student well into adulthood.
The advantage of e-courses is that they work on far more flexible timelines than traditional courses. This allows the student to make their studies fit in around their work schedule instead of the reverse, which is often a major challenge.
The additional time saving that many students value is that there is no need for travel to and from campus or other learning centers. The student, therefore, has more time to spend working or devote to their studies. These time savings can mean the difference between being able to pay the rent at the end of the month for students who work. Thus, whether it is an online MBA or a law degree, there’s always a flexible distance learning program for busy professionals.
Accessibility
The marvel of online learning means that a student can access courses from anywhere in the world. Whereas they were previously limited by geography, students can cross borders without leaving home when selecting the courses that they want to complete.
Because they can access course materials from anywhere in the world, provided they have access to the internet, many students who study online take the opportunity to travel.
They get to explore new countries while completing their studies, with many opting to find part-time jobs to earn a little extra money. The life experience gained on their travels is a vital part of preparing them for the world of work once they’ve completed their courses.
Another way that online classes provide accessibility is that there is usually a free introductory course as a precursor to the paid material. This gives the student the chance to see if the course will offer them what they need before they make a financial commitment.
Efficacy
Most student feedback suggests that e-training is a far better way to learn than traditional teaching. First, they get to choose when they learn, allowing them to focus on their studies when their concentration and energy peak, such as those who function better at 4 am than they do at 3 pm.
The multimedia approach to online education also favors the learning styles of many students, especially those who prefer visual over aural stimulation. This assists with the retention of course materials. Research suggests that students who have access to multimedia learning materials retain more information than those who attend regular classes.
The other advantage is that the student can revisit a class as often as they like, replay video footage, or view a teacher’s slideshows. This approach helps when it comes to concepts the student might have struggled to grasp the first time around.
Students can also go back to these materials when preparing for assessments as a method of studying, instead of relying solely on notes and textbooks. Recapturing the content of a face to face lecture is not that easy or convenient.
Specificity
Going the route of traditional learning means doing a variety of courses to complete a degree when you would prefer to focus on one specific content area and expand your knowledge on that via a web course. For example, if you’re interested in learning how to write a romance novel, there’s no need to complete an entire course of degree that covers other writing styles as well.
Many people use online education as a chance to finetune the knowledge and skills they need in the workplace, to start their own business, or to pursue a lifelong goal. They might not even need a formal qualification, just a course that gives them what they need to know to perform a particular task.
The types of learning opportunities online are almost infinite, with courses covering so many topics and skills that traditional education systems might not even touch on in their curricula. This gives the student many more options to choose from when deciding what to study.
Savings
Electing to do your learning online opens several doors for saving money, which is essential in these trying economic times. Here are some examples:
Online courses tend to cost far less than traditional classes, being far more budget-friendly for cash-strapped students. Because there are so many courses to choose from, you’re bound to find one that suits your needs and pocket.
When you opt for a traditional course, part of your fee goes toward the upkeep and maintenance of the buildings and campus, and you’ll need to pay for accommodation if the institution is far from home. Choosing an e-course eliminates these additional expenses.
Another saving that online education presents is green. By studying from home or work, you don’t add to your carbon footprint by traveling to and from class. Online classes are also usually paperless, which is another environment-saving benefit. You can do your bit to save the planet by electing to complete your studies online.
The travel saving is not only financial, especially given recent events. With people’s movements severely restricted during the coronavirus pandemic, online learning could continue with few, if any, interruptions. Unlike some of your counterparts, your studies will be on track and not lagging owing to a disrupted class schedule.
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