Online learning has gained much recognition in the recent past. It is used by companies to train their employees, it is used by career people who wish to enter into different industries to acquire new skills and it is also increasingly being used by schools to pass the necessary knowledge to students. There are several online learning platforms that individuals can use to learn. There are also many learning strategies including the use of video tutorials which are used to teach and learn online.
The COVID-19 pandemic further fuelled the need for online learning for all institutions of learning whether primary, secondary, or tertiary because of the closure of physical learning institutions. The need for professionals to advance their careers while away from physical institutions and the need for other individuals to break geographical barriers and study in any institution in the world are some of the reasons why online learning is gaining prominence. These are the 4 major reasons why online learning is the future of education:
It Can Offer Flexibility
Many people opt for online learning because of the flexibility that comes with it. Professionals can advance their education while working at the same time. Likewise, for students who do not have time to attend the physical classrooms, online learning becomes the best solution. It helps students who are not willing to commute to different locations to attend physical lessons. It is also a good option for students who do not want to follow schedules that might not be convenient for them. For instance, some students prefer to learn at night and others prefer to learn during the day. Since it might not be easy for the students who want to attend online classes to commute to the geographical locations where the physical classes are offered, online classes become the best option for them.
With online learning, the learners and the tutors can discuss the times that are convenient for them and schedule their lessons accordingly. This can allow both the tutors and the students to do other things when they would be in class if they relied on physical learning. All one needs to attend an online class is a computer or a smartphone, good internet, and one is ready to attend an online class from their place of convenience and time of preference. For students who are in other countries and it would not be reasonable for them to travel to those countries to learn, online learning makes this a reality.
Online learning allows such students to connect with their fellow students in different parts of the world and explore different countries’ learning systems as though they were physically present. Professionals who work physically can also be favored by online learning as they do not have to relocate, quit their jobs or even abandon learning. They can manage all these comfortably and with maximum convenience. You can enjoy the flexibility of online learning if you have good time management skills, maximum commitment, and focus.
It Can Offer Self-Paced Learning
Unlike physical learning where you have to follow the planned schedule of when to start a course and when to end, online learning can offer you the privilege to learn at your own pace. The models of self-paced learning can allow the student to arrange their learning processes with the instructors while considering time factors, and topic priorities based on their individual preferences.
With online learning, students can skip certain topics in a course that they do not find relevant to them and their professions if they are already career people. Unlike physical learning where all the learners are trained at the same pace despite their different levels of understanding, online learning can offer students individualized attention allowing each of them to learn at their own pace.
Online learning is, therefore, suitable for slow learners who often have difficulty coping with the speed at which learners are taught in physical classes.
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Online learning can also give you a chance to acquire a degree within the shortest time possible which would be impossible with physical learning. For instance, online learning experts at My degree guide, recommend that you select colleges with 8 week semesters if you are probably busy and you want to further your education without going through the required number of years to attain a degree. There are several universities worldwide that offer accelerated online courses where you study for eight semesters and you will have covered everything you need to cover to become a degree holder in whichever field you want. Interestingly, these eight semesters are enough for you to cover everything you would cover in a full semester program. With online learning, you can also retake course units that you are having trouble understanding as many times as you need to understand.
Online Learning Is Cost-Effective
Online learning can help you avoid unnecessary travel costs and daily commuting fees as you travel to go attend physical classes. Most institutions also offer online courses at a lower cost than the costs at which these courses are offered in the traditional physical system of learning. By taking an online course you can avoid paying the fees attached to buying course materials, relocation fees, meals at the college, and rent that comes with leaving near the college. You can also save on the costs of printing your assignments and such fees as infrastructural maintenance fees and activity fees which you would pay for participating in different physical activities like sports and athletics.
Furthermore, many colleges and universities also offer free online courses making it possible for you to learn at your convenience and without any fees attached. There are several online learning platforms that you can use to access free online courses from any part of the world. Online courses also come in a variety just like the physical courses and you can choose that which interests you. With online learning, you can also avoid paying for textbooks and still enjoy some quality learning experiences.
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Online Learning Can Offer Learners A Better Learning Experience
Online learning involves helping learners acquire the required knowledge and skills each at their own pace. This pace, therefore, helps individual learners to acquire hands-on experiences as opposed to traditional learning systems which often encourage the memorization of class texts. The comfort of the learners is also important and influences their understanding of the course content.
Since online learning allows learners to learn from their places of comfort, it facilitates easy understanding and results in more satisfying outcomes. Since online learning does not prompt learners to commute, adhere to strict class timings, and violate personal schedules, students can develop a positive attitude towards this type of learning.
Online learning also uses different technologies like virtual reality, Augmented Reality, and artificial intelligence which equip the learners for future professional engagements. These online teaching strategies also allow learners to engage more with their fellow learners and instructors. Online learning teaches learners to be independent and develop extra skills like researching skills and presentation skills preparing them better for professions that shall require them to work online.
The above are the four major reasons why online learning is the future of education. It is comfortable for individuals who want to study at their convenience and those that need flexible learning schedules. Online learning is cost-effective, high quality has better learning experiences, and enables learners to break geographical barriers. The free online courses also enable individuals who might not have fees to study, to access free online courses and benefit from the same too.
