The cost-effectiveness and reach of online learning, has created a booming industry for online educational institutes. The industry aims to provide quality education in the remote areas or to the masses who are unable to attend brick & mortar universities due to various reasons. But there has been a constant debate on which of the two holds more value to an employer and the student itself.
Let’s take a look at how online education measures up against traditional delivery modes.
Is it going to affect your professional career?
While there's no straight answer to this as it really depends upon the industry, one is employed in. Reactions of employers to online degrees differ from field to field. Although the stigma attached to online learning isn’t completely gone, perceptions have undergone a sea of change in the last decade or so. People are now becoming aware of the value an online degree adds to their resume. Perhaps little more time & most of the companies would embrace candidates with an online degree, with open arms.
Having said that,online learning can be a very rewarding experience. Not only does it allow students to continue education without having to give up their career, but it also allows them to interact with other students around the world.
With so many factors to consider, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Taking a living situation, learning style and career goals into consideration will help you make a decision that fits your individual circumstances. But there is no question that online learning has caught up and even surpassed traditional learning on many metrics.
Flexibility
Online learning is inherently flexible. For working professionals and people with a family, e-learning offers a way to juggle professional or personal commitments with study. Many online courses are customizable and have options to change the pace of learning.
Traditional learning is a lot more rigid. And unlike online courses, which can be accessed from anywhere, on any device, conventional courses are not designed for the mobile generation.
Multimodal Delivery
Because e-learning courses are delivered over the web, students have the option to choose their style of learning. Online programs allow students to choose the way they learn most effectively. Learners who prefer self-study can choose from millions of self-paced courses in a variety of disciplines. For those who prefer a more classical approach, many online programs also offer live online training with remote instruction, replicating the feel of a face-to-face classroom and real-time learning.
Interactive Nature
The common perception appears to be that online learning’s biggest downside is the lack of interaction with fellow learners. But recent technological advances have changed all that. Ed-tech majors like Simplilearn have made community interaction and social media an integral part of the online learning experience.
Its clear digital learning is here to stay.