Education is continuously evolving, and online learning seems part of the future. Many institutions of higher learning are embracing online learning because it offers some amazing benefits.
In addition, the recent pandemic gave the world a glimpse of its potential as the main form of learning when students had to study from home. Thus, exploring some of its benefits and limitations is vital to help you make the best choice when considering an online course.
Benefits of Online Learning
Online learning is growing, and that’s mainly because of the convenience and flexibility it offers. So let’s dive into the pros.
Flexibility
Flexibility is arguably the most convincing perk of online learning. Virtual classes allow people to attend classes from wherever they are, whatever time they want. Employed people greatly benefit from this because they can access classes after working hours, which is often hectic with physical learning. Online learning grants students the opportunity to dictate their schedules. You attend classes and study according to your convenience.
It’s Cheaper
Education is expensive; it’s the reason many working adults are still struggling to pay off their student loans. Online courses make the burden much easier on individuals. You don’t have to be there physically, so you save a lot of money on transport and textbooks since you’ll be provided with all the virtual materials you need. Furthermore, tuition is cheaper for online courses, and some universities even offer discounts on online programs. Online programs are also eligible for financial aid, making it an all-around cost-cutting experience.
Instant Feedback
Thanks to technology, online learning offers students instant feedback for exams. With physical learning, you would have to wait weeks for the professor to grade and redistribute all the papers. Online classes let you upload your assignments and receive feedback from the professors much faster. Quicker feedback means students can make faster adjustments to their future learning.
Helps Individuals Develop Self-Motivation
Online learning allows students to decide when to study and attend their classes. Those who use that freedom wisely develop self-motivation because they set their schedule and have to push themselves to stick to it. Besides, they won’t rely on an essay writer to complete their schoolwork. By the time they complete their online degree, they’ll have learned self-discipline and gained the ability to motivate themselves.
Offers Career Advancement Opportunities
Like physical learning, online courses also grant students an opportunity to advance their careers and offer more flexibility to do so. An employed person can take up a course, fit it into their schedule and complete it without taking time off work. The online degree will help improve their resume, thus improving their value in the employment market. Beyond it, have a look at PrepAway.
Limitations
Online learning has some significant drawbacks that are not often discussed. Maybe future developments can help with these limitations. But until then, here’re some of the disadvantages.
Limited Feedback
E-learning feedback is almost immediate, but it is also limited. Teachers give face-to-face feedback during classes or office hours in traditional classroom learning. The feedback is personalized and thus has a more significant effect on students than online feedback, making some students feel dissatisfied.
Encourages Isolation
Since they can study from home, students are less likely to interact with others and will instead spend a lot of time alone. It can cause social isolation, which also affects online teachers. Loneliness and social isolation can lead to some mental health complications.
Requires Discipline and Proper Motivation
Any student who wants to succeed in an online program has to be disciplined and self-motivated. Unlike physical learning, there is nothing to push you toward your goal, and you’ll fend for yourself. A student will require discipline to set deadlines and meet them.
Does Not Develop Communication Skills
E-learning is effective at helping students gain knowledge but does not help them hone their communication skills. Since they will be mostly isolated and don’t need face-to-face communication with peers or professors, they won’t hone their communication skills. These will increase the number of graduates who are great scholars but poor at passing on knowledge.
Final Thoughts
Online learning is still developing, and we can expect some improvements in the future. However, as time and technology advance, the advantages will soon start drowning out the limitations.
Before deciding to take an online degree, assessing the pros and cons is essential. The above list should help you with that, but you should also evaluate yourself. Ask yourself questions like; do I have the discipline and the self-motivation needed? Am I comfortable with isolation? If so, online learning might suit you.