The current challenges facing
traditional colleges and universities, including higher tuition, budget cuts,
and course shortages, have caused many students to search for alternatives. With
nearly three million students currently enrolled in fully online degree programs
and six million taking at least one online course as part of their degree
program, online education has clearly become one of the most popular higher
education alternatives. The continually improving reputation of online learning
has also helped fuel its expansion, as initial scepticism has faltered in the
face of evidence that shows that online learning can be just as effective as
face-to-face education.
All of this means that students, from working professionals to recent high
school graduates, find many reasons to take all or some of their courses online.
Below are 10 advantages to online learning.
1. Variety of programs and courses: From traditional four-year universities to
completely online career colleges, higher education today offers a variety of
options for students. This means that no matter what students wish to study,
from nursing to neuroscience, they can find online the courses or degree
programs they need. They can also earn every academic degree online, all the way
from a career certificate to a doctorate.
2. Lower total costs: Online programs can be a more affordable option than
traditional colleges. Though not all online degrees have less expensive net
tuition prices than traditional colleges (link to OEDB article I wrote about
college costs), associated costs are almost always less expensive. For example,
there are no commuting costs, and sometimes there is also not any required
course materials such as textbooks because those are often available for free
online. In addition, many colleges and universities have begun to accept credits
earned via free massive open online courses (MOOCs), the most recent advance in
online education. Free online courses such as these can help students fulfill
general education requirements at little to no cost.
3. More comfortable learning environment: Commercials that featuring online
students studying in the pajamas only skim the surface of one of the primary
benefits of online education: there are no physical class sessions. Lectures and
other materials are electronically sent to the student, who will then read them
and complete assignments. Students will not have to fight traffic, find parking
spaces, leave work early to go to class, or miss important family time.
4. Convenience and flexibility: Online courses give students the opportunity to
plan their study time around the rest of their day, instead of the other way
around. Students can study and work when they are at their peak energy, whether
that’s early morning or late at night. Course material is always accessible
online, so there’s no need to schedule special trips to a library either. All of
this makes online learning a good option for students who need to balance their
work and family commitments.
5. More interaction and greater ability to concentrate: While there is
contradictory evidence about the rate of online student participation versus
participation in traditional courses, one thing is certain: online courses offer
shy or more reticent students the opportunity to participate in class
discussions or chats with more ease than face-to-face class sessions. Some
students even report that online courses are easier to concentrate in because
they are not distracted by other students and classroom activity.
6. Career advancement: Students can take online courses and even complete entire
degrees while working, while in-between jobs, or while taking time to raise a
family. This academic work will explain any discontinuity or gaps in a resume as
well. Also, earning a degree can show prospective employers that you are
ambitious and want to remain informed and prepared for any new challenges.
7. Continue in your profession: Even if someone wants to complete a degree
program, it doesn’t mean that they want to leave their current job. For most
students today, college costs mean that it’s necessary to continue working while
in school. The previously mentioned flexibility of online degree programs enable
students to keep working while also pursuing academic credentials.
8. Avoid commuting: During snowstorms and thunderstorms, colleges may cancel
classes; if they don’t, you run the risk of getting hurt in dangerous driving
conditions. Rather than miss important class sessions, students in online
courses can always “attend” by participating on discussion boards or in chat
sessions, turn in their work on time, and watch lectures or read materials. Many
students also find that the amount they save on fuel costs can be substantial if
they don’t have to commute to a physical campus in general, no matter what the
weather conditions may be.
9. Improve your technical skills: Even the most basic online course requires the
development of new computer skills, as students learn to navigate different
learning management systems (LMS) and programs. The skills students learn to
participate in their online courses translate to many professions, including
creating and sharing documents, incorporating audio/video materials into your
assignments, completing online training sessions, etc.
10. Transfer credits: For college students who want to attend summer classes,
but who live too far from their colleges or have to work summer jobs, taking
online classes from an accredited college and transferring the credits to their
primary college is a good idea. Students will be able to earn college credit
while still enjoying their summer vacation or fulfilling the responsibilities of
their seasonal jobs. Similarly, if a college or university is unable to offer
enough open sections of a required course, students can take the course online
at another college and transfer the credits.
These are just a few of the many advantages of taking online classes. Students
in online degree programs are able to manage their time, learn the materials
that are presented, and complete assignments on their own schedules.
www.facebook.com/SkillsOnline