Online Learning
We live in a world where accessing information is at our fingertips. Technology has forever changed the way how we view and learn things. With the constant changing of the online environment, it is important to discover how to learn using all available communication channels. Online Learning is an example of an emerging trend that has slowly become an alternative to the traditional classroom setting.
What exactly is online learning? It is basically when students learn from home or wherever there is internet connection. Online learning requires a high level of independence since there is no one physically there telling you what to do. The learner needs to get used to the idea of learning and studying on their own. They may need to reach out to someone, like a classmate to collaborate or keep each other accountable.
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There are different terms related to online learning, such as e-learning, blended or hybrid learning, and digital. When students learn strictly from online and never interact with the instructor in a physical classroom setting, this is called e-learning. Blended and hybrid learning are similar and offers the student the opportunity to interact with the instructor in a face-to-face classroom while also taking the course online. Lastly, digital learning encompasses everything, which includes blended learning and e-learning, and information about using digital products.
After reading an article written by Devon Haynie, she mentioned there was a shift in age amongst people taking online classes. “While distance education students are often assumed to be older, the report found the popularity of online undergraduate programs is growing among those under 25” (Haynie, 2015). Haynie also stated thirty-four percent of undergraduate online students were under the age of 25, up from 25 percent in 2012, according to the report (2015). The reason contributing to an increase in the number of students taking online courses may be due to the fact of economic pressure to work while going to school and because students are now becoming more familiar with online classes.
Click here to read more about, “Younger Students Increasingly Drawn to Online Learning.”
Besides the pressure to work while going to school or taking an online class due familiarity, there are many advantages of online learning. The list below are just a few reasons why it has become popular with people of all ages.
Top 7 Advantages of Online Learning
- Convenient
- Flexible
- Cost effective
- Can be tailored to different needs
- It's immediate
- It's unrestricted immediate updates
While online education is becoming practiced more and more, there are myths and misconceptions about it. Click here to read more about the myths and recognize the difference between fact from fiction.
When I first started the program for my master’s degree, I had never taken any online courses. As an undergraduate student, I only took classes that required face-to-face instruction with my professors. So, this online learning was all new to me. I had to learn how to manage my time while working full time as a teacher because I was inundated with so many reading and assignments. Although, I prefer the traditional classroom setting or even blended learning, I have become accustomed to completing online courses. I have realized it has made it easier and convenient for me to almost complete the program.
References
Haynie, D. (2015, July 17). Younger students increasingly drawn to online learning, study finds. Retrieved February 6, 2017, from http://www.usnews.com/education/onlineeducation/articles/2015/07/17/younger-students-increasingly-drawn-to-online-learning-study-finds
Pappas, C. (2015, October 17). What are the advantages and possible limitation of online learning. Retrieved February 6, 2017, from https://elearningindustry.com/advantages-and-possible-limitations-of-online-learning
Pappas, C. (2015, October 17). What are the advantages and possible limitation of online learning. Retrieved February 6, 2017, from https://elearningindustry.com/advantages-and-possible-limitations-of-online-learning
Williams, T. (2015, March 9). 7 Myths about online education. Retrieved February 6, 2017, from http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/articles/2015/03/09/7-myths-about-online-education
Online education has clearly become one of the most popular education alternatives. With nearly Three million students currently enrolled in fully online degree programs. I strongly believe that the future of higher education lies with online learning. Jobs and family commitments make equal demands on their time. Having the option of taking online classes and studying on their own time is critically important. Anyway this is great work and I really enjoyed the video you posted on Online Learning. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Raisul. I do agree that online education has become a popular alternative. It allows people who work and have families to balance their schedule by taking classes while still doing other things.
DeleteOnline education is one of those trends that elevates learning to the level of the learners. It allows us to teach in a way that can better relate to our students. It is inevitable that teaching will become fully online one day.
ReplyDeleteHey, Rocco! Online learning is definitely making it easier for students to learn with their devices and use programs they are familiar with. I do agree that we are moving in a direction that will mean learning will be fully online one day. I wonder if this will happen with the younger kids. That will be interesting! Thanks for the comment!
DeleteGreat blog, Min! Online learning is such a growing trend in education. I really liked how your blog spoke about the popularity of online undergraduate programs with people under 25. Although I am now in graduate school, I see the benefits of attending an online program. With all of the economic pressures, younger students feel the need to work as they go to school. I am 25 right now and I certainly know that I need to be working while I am enrolled in classes or I would be far too much behind. Online classes also allow for flexibility within the student's schedule. That way if they are scheduled to work a certain shift, they do not have to worry about missing a class. They can manage their time appropriately. I loved the link to the article about
ReplyDelete“Younger Students Increasingly Drawn to Online Learning.” Great post with helpful information, Min!
Thanks Melissa for the comment! I found it fascinating too that there’s an increase in percentage of online learners under the age of 25. I mentioned in my blog that I have never taken an online course until I started my master’s program. I think if they were available back when I was an undergrad student, I may have taken some and not have to commute two or three times a week. It certainly would’ve saved me a lot of time.
DeleteOnline is great for education advances, but it has done wonders for work force training and development. We have already started converting our traditional training to an online classroom. The benefits truly are endless.
ReplyDeleteHi, Marguerite! That is so awesome that the training and development program at your work is converting to the online classroom. I am sure that it is going to make things a lot more convenient for everyone while still giving the same information but in a different format. Thanks for commenting!
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