Due to advancements in technology, many institutions today are offering courses online around the globe. However, from PhDs, certificates, impactful online learning, and everything in between, the question remains, is online learning effective?
Online learning offers you all the perks of attending your desired course or university from anywhere in the world, with the added advantage of a learning experience tailored to your schedule and needs. Furthermore, online lessons are available in almost every subject, and their flexible timelines suit practically every lifestyle. Hence, many students are turning to online learning as a viable alternative to in-person study.
Moreover, students can now study entirely online while still being able to socialize with classmates, watch lecturers, and participate in subject-specific activities and discussions.
Also, some consider that for the effectiveness of online learning, students require a greater degree of self-motivation. While many institutions acknowledge this need, they also recognize that educational support is as vital as instructor feedback. Therefore, they are taking great care to ensure that learners receive the same level of support as they would get on campus.
What is Online Learning?
Online education is a teaching-learning platform that empowers learners to enroll and participate in lessons and activities via the internet. It does not need students to be present in a physical classroom. They can join from anywhere as long as they have the technology and internet access. In addition, online learning is an effective method for subject matter experts and instructors to pass on their knowledge, skills, and aptitude in an impactful manner.
Effectiveness of Online Learning
eLearning has revolutionized the educational landscape, enabling learners to learn at their own pace and convenience. Therefore the transmission of learning materials through online platforms plays a significant role in the future of education. Implemented successfully, it can be more effective than face-to-face training.
Here are eight reasons why is online learning effective.
Learners Gain More Knowledge
Online learning courses incorporating multimedia content are more effective than traditional in-person classes. It is so because online education offers students total control over their studies, allowing them to work at their own pace. Learners, on average, work faster and absorb more knowledge in online courses than they would otherwise. They can move more quickly in areas of courses they are familiar with and move slowly through parts that need more time.
Frequent Evaluations, Fewer Distractions
One of the benefits of eLearning courses is that evaluation and assessment become a continuous process. It is incredible because students become more engaged when educators intersperse multimedia content and study materials with regular short exams.
Moreover, according to research, adopting such quick periodic evaluations reduced learners’ distraction, enhanced overall content recall, and quadrupled note-taking. Also, it helps instructors track every student’s progress regularly. They can intervene early when help is needed because of improved learner tracking.
Higher Retention Rate
Many courses taught in traditional settings struggle to maintain learners’ interest throughout the semester. However, this is not the case with online learning. eLearning courses have increased student retention by 25% to 60%. The contributing factors to this growth are engaging multimedia content, a lower likelihood of online classes conflicting with other commitments, and more flexibility in how the students consume the curriculum.
Personalized Learning
eLearning provides you the privilege to customize your learning experience and environment. Students can learn while commuting, at a friend’s house, in their own home, or setting up an ideal classroom environment to complete their assignments.
It assists learners in focusing on their academic objectives as it eradicates unnecessary distractions, which are common in traditional learning settings.
Virtual Study Sessions
Active involvement and engagement are crucial to learning. Any classroom that wants to achieve optimum results relies on the engagement level and the ability of learners to support each other in the learning process.
Some virtual educators refer to it as “contribution.” Students can participate in these study sessions through discussion boards, seminars, assignments, blogs, chats, office hours, and Q&A sessions.
Learning online is easier than ever before. Instructors and learners can present documents, use whiteboards during brainstorming sessions, and share their screens as long as they have computers, an internet connection, and a headset.
Eco-Friendly
Online learning is not only better for students, but it also positively impacts the environment. It minimizes the carbon footprint which emanates from manufacturing and transportation. The infrastructure and materials necessary for traditional education establishments (desks, electricity, buildings, textbooks, etc.) are significantly reduced. Third, it helps in conserving natural resources.
Moreover, academic institutions can save money and time by implementing and expanding their online education platforms.
Requires Less Time-Consuming Commitment
In an eLearning environment, students will likely spend less time learning than they would in traditional classrooms. Online learning also allows students to divide their course time in a way that best suits their needs. They don’t have to dedicate a large amount of time to the lessons. Just half an hour over the lunch break is usually enough.
Diverse Means To Communicate with Educators
Online learning allows students to communicate with faculty members by providing flexibility over traditional education methods. Technology facilitates these communication processes via emails, telephone conversations, or live chats. Students can also get feedback in a Q&A session with a college educator. It truly is an exciting way to network.
Conclusion
Online mode of education is going to be around for a while. However, it becomes more accessible and viable as more and more individuals own computers and mobile phones worldwide. Also, internet connection speeds are improving, enabling educators to use more multimedia methods of instruction.
Considering the learning preferences of each generation, boomers prefer friendly experts, Gen X wants guidance but not from experts, millennials learn best through collaboration, and Gen Z desires social networking and interaction to learn. An eLearning platform accommodates and meets the demands of each learning style. Furthermore, a virtual learning system supports and meets each learning preference, as it all speaks of the course design, not the delivery mode.
Overall, a great online learning course should feature high-quality digital content, varied assessment methods, student support, and gamification to enhance student learning and create an extraordinary and virtually immersive experience. It’s because learning is about engaging your learners in the process.
