In the past two decades the technology revolution has re-invented the way people communicate, do business, and learn. A census done in 2009 showed that 44% of all college students were taking some or all of their classes online. Projections for 2014 anticipate that number could be as high as 81%.
Originally, online learning was focused on replicating face-to-face learning or an “in-classroom” experience; however, we now use online learning to provide services that aren’t available to a teacher in a classroom. Students participating in eLearning can participate in a class while also interacting with other students from around the world, referencing materials from numerous textbooks, and watching an interactive video of someone demonstrating what is being taught.
There are three main advantages of online learning in general:
1) Convenience and Flexibility
Students from all over the world can login from any computer station with internet access and join a class. There is no need for travel, relocation, or time away from work.
Classes are also available in windows of time. Instead of being required to be in the classroom at a specific time, a student can login when they have time available and work at their own pace.
2) Up-To-Date Information
Where the time and cost to update a textbook can be extremely high, content in an online classroom is updated regularly. Instead of having to wait for the next edition of a textbook to be published, printed, and sold in a bookstore, online classroom materials can be updated with the click of a mouse.
Classroom facilitators can regularly work with industry experts to ensure their content is up-to-date and relevant to the needs of the student. As new technology continues to develop, the tools available to the online classroom continue to expand.
3) Improved Performance
A meta-analysis done by the U.S. Department of Education found that students who learned online typically outperformed students who learned in a face-to-face setting. This is a result of several variables. Students set their own pace ensuring no information gets passed over; the courses are more interactive allowing students to get personal attention; the use of audio, video, and text blends to create a unique memorable experience, etc.
These aren’t the only advantages of online learning; however, they are the staples by which this form of education has been built and continues to expand. Our program offers students the ability to create their own unique learning experience and demonstrate their learned skills first hand.