Online education, also known as e-learning, has become the most popular way to obtain your degree in recent years, and with good reason. Traditional learning methods are increasingly becoming outdated as technological advances bring new and improved learning.
While online study cannot offer the same social learning experience as conventional education, it does allow students to learn at their own pace and time. This flexibility makes it easier to balance their study time with other tasks and obligations.
Additionally, online education has made it possible to further your education from the comfort of your home. More people are turning to it every year to gain the skills and knowledge they need to find better jobs and give their families more opportunities.
You can also benefit from online study if you have social anxiety or other conditions affecting your ability to attend classes in person. Read on to learn more about why online education has become so popular.
What is e-learning?
E-learning, or electronic learning, is a type of distance education that uses electronic technologies to access educational curricula outside of a traditional classroom. In most cases, e-learning occurs online via a computer or mobile device.
An e-learning course might occur in real-time as an interactive videoconference with a live instructor and students. You can refer to this learning as synchronous.
In contrast, asynchronous courses do not take place in real-time, and students can engage at their own pace from the comfort of their homes. They can do this by completing assignments, watching videos, participating in discussions, and taking tests without direct input from an instructor.
Technologies that facilitate online learning
Online learning has many benefits, from flexibility in your schedule to learning at your own pace. However, the key to taking advantage of these benefits lies in your tools and how you use them.
Here are seven specific technologies that support online learning to help learners get the most out of courses:
Assistive technologies
Many students with disabilities rely on assistive technologies (AT) to help them access their education. Some common examples of AT include screen readers, text-to-speech software and word prediction software.
These tools benefit students with dyslexia, ADHD and other learning disabilities. Assistive technology could also be the built-in features in your browser that allow you to zoom in, increase the contrast, or magnify images.
Adaptive learning technology
Technology makes it easier for students to get the personalized education they need to succeed. One type of technology that helps to individualize instruction is adaptive learning technology.
This technology automatically adjusts the pace, content, and difficulty level in a digital lesson, based on a student’s individual needs. This way, each student can learn at their own pace and receive the support they need to be successful.
Presentation and multimedia technologies
In online education, multimedia refers to any combination of text, audio, still images, animation, video and interactivity — delivered via computer. Using multimedia in your courses can more effectively engage learners, convey information, and promote student interaction.
Some popular presentations and multimedia technologies in online education include screencasts and whiteboard animations. PowerPoint presentations are also common in online classes, allowing teachers to quickly share visual aids with their students without distributing heavy materials.
Social networking tools
Online social networking tools are a great way to keep in touch with classmates and instructors, share resources and collaborate on projects. Some popular educational and social networking tools include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.
They allow students to connect with their peers and instructors in the context of their educational program. For example, many universities use LinkedIn as a platform for career services and networking.
Mobile technologies
The ubiquity of mobile devices means more opportunities than ever to learn on the go. Whether you are using a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, several apps and websites can help you learn.
These devices are becoming more and more powerful, and they are changing the way we learn. You can use mobile technologies to keep track of assignments and communicate with classmates and instructors.
Simulations and virtual reality technologies
These immersive technologies can provide an engaging and hands-on learning experience for students. Simulations can expose learners to real-world scenarios in a controlled environment, while virtual reality can transport them to entirely new environments.
These tools can supplement traditional instruction or provide independent learners with new ways to explore and interact with course material.
Virtual learning environments
A virtual learning environment (VLE) is a system that creates an interactive, collaborative space for learners and educators. It enables them to access course materials and resources, communicate with each other, and track progress and outcomes.
VLEs can assist with both synchronous and asynchronous learning, and they allow students to work collaboratively on group projects.
They can also create individualized coursework at their own pace without time zones or geographic location constraints. VLEs offer flexibility and autonomy regarding students’ locations, class attendance, class schedules, and course work.
Top nine reasons why online education is so popular
It is no secret that online education has become much more popular over the past few years than traditional forms of schooling and learning.
More and more people are looking to earn their college degrees or continue their education via the internet, rather than going through traditional brick-and-mortar institutions.
Here are nine reasons why you might consider online learning as well:
It offers a wide selection of programs
One of the most common reasons why online learning is so popular is the variety of programs offered. You can find an online program for almost any field of study, which means you can get the education you need without leaving your home.
An online program is bound to be a perfect fit, whether you want to study business, education, healthcare, computer science, engineering, or anything else.
You can also enroll in online criminology programs if you are passionate about public safety, forensics, criminology and youth advocacy. Studying this program will allow you to learn more about the different aspects of crime and how criminal activity affects our society.
Online learning promotes innovativeness and transparency
The popularity of online education has exploded due to its ability to promote transparency and innovativeness. In a traditional brick-and-mortar school, students can quickly feel like they are in a fishbowl.
As a student in such schools, everyone from teachers and other staff can see you, and you may feel like they are constantly watching you.
With online learning, students can be more innovative because they have the freedom to experiment without everyone watching their every move. They also do not have to worry about how other people judge their ideas.
Online courses also allow students to control their learning by choosing which topics interest them most. In contrast, in a traditional classroom, you have no choice but to sit through lectures on subjects that might not interest you.
You can learn at your own pace
Learning at your own pace means taking as much time as you need to study for a test, learn new material, or participate in a forum. You will never have to worry about having to rush through class because the teacher wants to move on and cover new material.
Online learning facilitates this by providing you with private space to go over material and complete coursework without distractions. You can also create your own timetable by taking classes one at a time, when it suits you.
Furthermore, many online courses are self-paced, so there is no pressure to keep up with deadlines. Not everyone is academically inclined, and some may struggle under the pressure of deadlines.
Learning at your own pace is a massive advantage if you are that person. You will not feel pressured or rushed into completing assignments or tests too quickly while trying to process information from lectures.
More cost-effective than traditional education
Traditional education often requires students to pay for expensive tuition, textbooks and other materials. Online education allows students to access course materials for free, or at a lower cost.
Additionally, online students do not have to worry about commuting costs or paying for on-campus housing. This cost reduction benefits low-income students who cannot afford traditional education.
It allows them to further their career goals without being constrained by finances. Online students may receive financial aid through scholarships, grants, and loans which they can use towards tuition.
You can customize your learning experience
When you take an online course, you can tailor the learning experience to your needs and interests. You can choose classes that fit your goals and even create a learning schedule that works for you.
For example, suppose you want to learn about accounting but do not want to commit yourself full time. In that case, you can work on it in small chunks at any point during the day or night.
Doing so allows you to quickly pick up where you left off and get back into the material without starting over every time.
Enhances more interaction and ability to concentrate
In a traditional education setup, interruptions include teachers’ instructions and classmates asking questions. These disruptions often make it difficult for students to focus on the lesson.
Online education has fewer distractions, so students can focus on the study material and get more out of their lessons. Also, online learning allows for more interaction with the instructor.
Instructors will offer feedback in forums or chat rooms after submitting each assignment. Students can also email instructors about specific course materials or problems they may have in class.
These options make it easier for students to learn from different types of people — and gain knowledge from around the world — at their own pace.
Tracking learning patterns
Online learning allows students to track their learning patterns and progress over time, which can help them identify areas where they need improvement. For instance, some people may find it easier to retain information in the morning than at night.
They might want to schedule their coursework accordingly, so they do not have difficulty with retention rates. By taking courses online there are more options available to a student, as opposed to being restricted by location or timetables.
This means not only does the student have an opportunity to explore different materials and methods of study, but instructors also gain an understanding of what styles work best for specific individuals.
Knowing how much in-person teaching each person needs can be challenging because of different working schedules and family commitments, but teaching online is less problematic.
Promotes career advancement
Many students choose online education to gain the skills and knowledge they need to advance their careers. Those already working may find an online degree more convenient than returning to school full-time.
In addition, many employers now prefer applicants with a diverse range of experience, including some college courses, under their belt. As a result, this degree can help you stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs.
An online course allows us to take classes at our own pace without sacrificing valuable time away from family or friends.
Higher information retention rates
Another reason why online education is so popular is that students who learn online have higher retention rates. In a traditional classroom setting, students can get easily distracted and may not retain all the information they learn.
However, when learning online, students can take their time and review the material as often as they need to understand it fully. It leads to better grades and a better understanding of the material.
Online learning is the way to go
Online education is popular for a variety of reasons. It is flexible and convenient, and you can tailor it to fit your needs.
Online learning is an excellent option for students seeking a new career or just wanting to learn more about a subject. You can work from home, or anywhere else, providing you have an internet connection.
There are thousands of courses available that can help you achieve your goals. With so many advantages, it is no wonder that online education is growing in popularity every year.