With the advent of technology, more and more industries are moving towards a hybrid system where they offer their services online alongside their physical venues. The education sector is no stranger to this move toward the virtual world.
Today, a lot of universities offer courses and even degree programs online. This move has benefited everyone, as educators can now cater to many more students across the globe, and prospective students can attend any university in the world that their heart desires, right from the comfort of their homes!
Due to these perks and many more, online learning is increasingly gaining popularity. Based on the current growth rate, studies show that the online learning market is expected to reach the $325 billion mark by 2025!
In case you consider online learning and need a little push, we have rounded up a list of benefits of studying online below. Let’s get started.
It is flexible
Going to a university’s campus to study with some of the best professors is definitely a great experience. However, for someone working, it is not a very convenient option as they may not be available during the traditional hours scheduled for university classes. This is where the most significant benefit of online education comes into play. Most online courses offer recorded lectures, which means you can take classes at whatever time of day is convenient for you. This makes online learning especially ideal for working individuals. Individuals who are looking to advance their skills or learn a different skill so they can get promoted. It is also an excellent choice for people who want to alter their career path.
It is affordable
Unlike brick-and-mortar institutions, only some types of courses are paid online. For instance, you can learn many skills on websites such as YouTube free of cost. The audit feature on Coursera allows you to take classes from professors of Ivy-League Universities for free. The catch in this scenario is that you don’t get their certificate, but you do get the skill nonetheless.
For proper certification, most online courses have some sort of discount available. If not, they offer financial assistance for people who cannot afford to take those courses. This way, you can acquire the skill from the comfort of your home without going into debt. If you are considering getting a formal degree online, online programs are also much more affordable than going to physical schools. So it is a good idea to look into it for someone who is cost-conscious.
It offers a greater variety of perspectives.
Since online education contains students from all over the world, students in online courses develop a global perspective. Hence, various perspectives influenced by many factors, such as economic conditions, cultures, norms, etc., are exchanged in class. This leads to students gaining awareness about multiple cultures and the ethics of working and co-existing in a multicultural environment. As our world moves towards globalization, employees of the future who have a global mindset and perspective are likely to be at an advantage, as that is what employers will be looking for. This is because exposure to various perspectives has allowed you to think more innovatively and creatively. Organizations hold such out-of-the-box thought processes in high esteem.
It teaches time management skills
Managing a job, household, project and assignment deadlines, meeting work and family commitments all at once is no mean feat – and companies understand that. Online degree programs are still full fledge education programs regardless of the fact that they are flexible and require you to work from home. But that does not mean that they don’t require effort and discipline. If anything, they need greater self-motivation and discipline to watch that recorded lecture and complete the assignments on time. While doing these tasks, you learn essential time management skills reflected in your GPA and qualifications. This is a crucial benefit because, in a traditional school, you don’t really have a choice – here, you do, and it shows that you chose to stay committed and consistent.
It teaches technical skills
In a world where technology plays a significant role in all aspects of life, anyone with any technical skill is at an advantage. Online students are well versed with software like Skype, Zoom, Office 365, Google Docs, Trello, and learning management software, along with a general idea to troubleshoot standard device issues. These skills come in handy well beyond your online learning days as they are equally important in your work. Additionally, online students are comfortable with virtual communication, making it easier for them to perform in cross-cultural and online settings.
It offers a variety of courses to choose from
Remote learning allows you to choose from a wide range of courses that are a click away from you. In contrast, a physical school is likely to have limited options for courses and programs. You may have to go to a different university in your local area or a different city to get the exact course you want. Online learning is additional. Here you can access systems from any university in the world as long as it is available online. This way, you get to learn and structure your programs precisely how you want them to be – be it a skill for work or a hobby you are trying to learn.
Conclusion
Online learning has many benefits indeed, but is it right for you? To evaluate the answer to this question, you must know what you are looking for in a degree. Online education is most suitable for individuals who have a lot of other commitments and need a degree of flexibility to pursue education.
Due to online programs’ flexible nature, self-motivated people generally fare better. Disciplined students fare better in an online setting as no one will force you to complete your tasks – for the most part, it will be up to you to set and meet your targets. If you need a push, you tend to get distracted easily or prefer learning with a professor face-to-face. It would be best if you were careful with the decision to do online learning. This may also be a good idea if you want to attend a prestigious university but cannot commute daily or stay in university dormitories.
The benefits of online learning are immense, no doubt. Knowing precisely what you want will allow you to make the right decisions about the courses you enroll in and the skills you acquire. It will enable you to maximize the benefits you reap from this experience.
