Over the past decade, the education landscape has changed drastically in many ways. This is particularly evident in how students are accessing learning materials and resources. It’s no longer necessary to be physically present in a classroom. Today, almost anyone with an internet connection can receive a quality education from the comfort of home.
As such, we are the first to enter an exciting new era – that of online learning. Understandably, some who are new to the concept might be hesitant, especially when it means having to adopt unfamiliar technologies. However, as we will find out below, the benefits of studying online make the skills it requires well-worth picking up.
Keep reading to discover 6 reasons why the future of education will be on the internet.
Flexibility
By entering an online program, you gain the ability to study at your own pace. This allows you to create a schedule for your individual priorities and preferences. This has numerous advantages. For example, you can continue working or tending to other responsibilities while earning a university degree.
In addition to facilitating a better work-life balance, the flexibility of studying online teaches students important time management skills that are essential to thrive in adult life. For graduates who enter the work world from traditional high schools or colleges, the sudden lack of structure can be difficult to manage.
On the other hand, students who have already taken on the responsibility of effectively delegating their time while they were still in school or university, will be prepared from the start. This makes them more productive and successful both in and outside of the workplace.
Variety
With a platform as vast and open as the internet, it should come as no surprise that the range of educational content available is essentially limitless. There is an infinite number of skills and subjects, each explorable through a selection of engaging media and quality resources dedicated to informing curious learners.
A potential concern here is that as great as all the content is, it might be next to useless in cases where some kind of formal accreditation and certification is necessary to prove that the learner did indeed acquire the knowledge or skills. It’s no use spending months on an online teaching course if it doesn’t help you become a teacher, for instance.
The good news is that this is not the case. Whatever the subject is that you wish to study, it’s likely that there are many formally recognized university-level programs available in that field, and that the certifications you receive for finishing those courses will be accepted by future employers.
For example, consider the accelerated nursing programs at Baylor University online. An impressive 90% of students who take the course receive a job offer upon graduation, which has to do with the institution being ranked among the top traditional universities and possessing official accreditation.
So, whether you want a certificate, degree, or diploma, you’ll be able to get it in your preferred area of study online.
Accessibility
For both students and teachers, online education enables learning and teaching to happen from anywhere in the world. This alone has numerous benefits, with the elimination of commuting and subsequent cost savings being one of them.
There is also less need to follow a rigid schedule, as no time needs to be dedicated to getting to and from the premises. It’s also better for mental health, as long daily commutes are associated with issues such as fatigue and stress. A virtual learning environment also enables students to travel, be it for leisure, work, or to relocate to a new country.
Affordability
Studying online can save you money in many other ways beyond cutting out commuting costs. While universities that provide their courses on the internet aren’t always cheaper than their traditional counterparts when it comes to tuition rates, they don’t charge for things like campus housing and meals.
You also spend less money on notoriously expensive textbooks. At the same time, online university students still have access to the same financial aid programs, including grants and loans. Aside from federal assistance, digital platforms also tend to offer institutional aid for students who perform well or require need-based grants.
Customizability
We’ve already discussed how learning online is more accessible and flexible. Another point to make here is that it’s also suitable for different students in terms of ability levels and other individual requirements.
For example, you’re free to set up your learning space as you see fit. This can involve building a calm and quiet study space where you can work far more productively than you would on campus. At the same time, if you prefer attending online classes or doing homework in a more public space such as a cafe, you’re free to do so.
Speaking of classes, digital ones are often smaller than physical classes. In some cases, courses are designed to focus on a single student at a time with one-on-one sessions. This makes for a more comfortable setting where students feel freer to interact with the teacher or tutor and ask questions. They also receive more feedback.
Skill Building
Throughout the time that a student spends learning online, they pick up numerous technical skills that are valuable in all areas of work, especially those that involve computers and other modern technologies.
This includes everything from increasing your typing speed and competence with using software, to writing compelling content and proper emails. Students also learn important research skills, allowing them to better discern between true and false information in an increasingly misinformed world.
These are some of the main reasons why education will increasingly take place on the internet moving forward. As more and more students take on this new form of learning, chances are that we will better understand how it affects our ability to study and become qualified workers or entrepreneurs.
For now, there are serious advantages to the digital approach. So, if you’ve been interested in learning a new subject or advancing your education, now is the time to make it happen.