Online education is equivalent to on-campus education. Yes, in many cases.
There is good evidence to support the claim that online education offers some advantages over traditional classroom learning. Some of these may surprise you.
1. Geographical boundaries don't define you
Technology has made college education easier than ever. You can access the entire educational world with a computer and Internet connection, regardless of where you live.
It's not an exaggeration to say that prestigious schools like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford have offered full, non-credit courses online through MOOCs. This stands for Massive Open Online Courses. MOOCs usually have the same professors as traditional universities and the same study materials.
It was inevitable that schools would want to monetize all the content they provided online. Georgia Tech was the first school to offer a MOOC-based degree in 2013. Two years later, the University of Illinois did the same. More than 30 brick-and-mortar schools now offer MOOC-based degrees through partnerships with tech-ed businesses like Coursera, edX, and Udacity.
MOOCs are just one example of online learning opportunities. Both traditional and digital institutions are creating more intimate online learning opportunities with smaller classes and closer professor-student relationships. There are many online degree options. If you don't find what you need at your local university, there may be another school that offers it.
You can find the information you need online, regardless of whether you are looking to get a degree and start a 9-to-5 job, or if you want to learn more about the stars with some of the best astronomers in the world.
2. Online learning might be more engaging than traditional classroom learning.
Forbes recently published an article that provides insight into online learning. Researchers are now exploring how effective online learning can be compared to traditional classroom education. The results so far have been encouraging.
California State University in San Bernadino conducted a study that found two groups of students, one who studied online and one who attended class, performed equally well. The study found that online students are less afraid to participate and that professors have a better relationship with students.
Forbes also notes that online classes are more likely present material in attention-grabbing multimedia formats that might be better suited for today's students.
The bottom line: While educators have known for a long time that people process information differently, educational methods have not been able to adapt. Online learning may be more appealing to you if your eyes glaze over in-class lectures.
3. Feedback is quicker and more frequent.
Online learners can have greater contact with their teachers than students in classrooms, it is true.
Online students are often required to take more frequent assessments for professors to monitor their competence. This allows for learning gaps to be identified quickly and can be addressed before a student fails to pass the exam.
This is not just about GPAs. You don't want your education to be a one-off. It is important to understand the course material so that you can use it later.
4. Online college is a great way to get your bachelor's and master's degrees for a lower price.
What is the greatest difference between traditional and online schools? It's the campus. You can expect to pay several thousand dollars per year for room and board at a regular college.
Online college eliminates all those costs, resulting in five-figure savings during your studies. Score!
5. Student loan debt may be lower.
Online study can reduce your expenses in several ways.
Many online programs assume that students are working and may be employed full-time. You may be able to work while you study, which means that your student loan debt will likely be lower.
You'll pay less interest on student loans if you have smaller student loans. It is important to reduce your student loan debt. Most people take 20 years to repay their student loans. You will be a blessing to your future self.
6. You are in control of your time more.
Online learning is virtually free from absenteeism, scheduling conflicts, and other obstacles. Some programs require that you participate in online lectures at specific times. However, these lectures can be archived for future reference.
Online learning allows students to learn at their own pace, as it is more flexible than classroom-based education. People who take longer to understand a concept may be able to learn it online. People cane to work faster might be able to do so.
People who work full-time, or have childcare responsibilities, can also benefit from flexibility in their schedules. Think about it: a single mom who lost her babysitter would have no chance of learning traditional education. Online education allows her to attend class while knowing that her child will be taken care of.
7. Online learning is a great way to prepare for a changing workforce.
Online education offers many side benefits, including the ability to become comfortable using technology.
Technology is advancing rapidly and this means that workforces are becoming more distributed. You'll likely need to be able to communicate with people across the country or around the globe.
8. Online learning has gained a positive reputation
Online education has been recognized by academics for a long time. According to a Babson/College Board 2012 study, 77% of academic leaders believe that online education is just as good or better than traditional classroom-based learning.
This message is also being received by employers. According to U.S. News & World Report, more hiring managers recognize the value of online degrees provided they are accredited.
Our prediction for the future of online colleges
As technology improves and costs drop, online college options will continue to grow in popularity. Online learning will be more commonplace than ever in the future.