13 Advantages of Online Learning

We live in a fast-paced and busy environment. With families to support and bills to pay, the prospect of heading back into education can be daunting and impractical for many. Luckily there is a solution if you are seeking qualifications and career progression without spending your valuable hours in a lecture hall.

Online learning is a popular choice for many to get back into education with minimal impact on their everyday lives. Here are 13 advantages to online learning:

1. It creates flexibility

There will still be deadlines, of course. But, online learning offers individuals a level of autonomy and convenience that doesn’t exist within a conventional study setting. Learners can schedule their study time around their own lives rather than having to fit life in around study. School runs, work, or appointments can be completed, and learners can study over evening and weekends without a compromise on support levels.

2. A more comfortable experience

With no requirement to physically attend lectures, students are relieved of the challenges of battling traffic, missing events or special occasions, cutting work short, or arranging childcare to high-tail it into class. 

There is no need to ‘dress to impress,’ with all materials and submissions received and made electronically. So, students can sit in the comfort of their pajamas, their favorite lounge-wear, their fluffiest slippers, or their Sunday best if they wish.

3. Variety is the spice of life

There is an online course available for almost every specialism today. There are traditional 3-4-year university degrees available as well as short certified courses that may be better tailored to your current employment. You can tailor your learning to meet your own specific needs and explore other options that maybe aren’t available offline. You can obtain anything from a diploma to a PhD through online learning, so there is no compromise required to pursue your education online.

The subject matters you can study are equally diverse. It is possible to pursue anything from business studies through to nursing; you can even get a social work online degree. The variety extended to learners through online study allows for both career progression and career changes, meaning you get to choose the direction of the path you take.

4. A more affordable option

Online education is largely a much more affordable option for learners. This may be significantly important if you are raising a family or have costly bills to pay. Though the tuition fee itself may not be vastly cheaper, savings can be made through:

• Fewer overheads than an education establishment

• Saving money on travel and commuting

• Saving money on resources such as textbooks

• Access to free Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)

• Potential savings in childcare

• Ability to continue working and earning while studying

5. Increased interaction

For those who are of a shy disposition, online courses allow a greater level of interaction and participation than a face-to-face encounter. 

6​Improved concentration

Online learning offers less interruption and distraction than a classroom setting, and the absence of other students may nurture greater concentration levels for many. There are day-to-day distractions in home life that may counter this point,but the freedom to learn in your own time and around your own schedule means that you can arrange to study at the most convenient moments for you – once the kids are in bed, for example!

7. Improved computer skills

While navigating a new learning management system (LMS) may be challenging to begin with, learning online will inevitably allow learners to improve their IT skills through repeated use and interaction with digital materials. In this ever-growing digital age, using software such as audio, video, spreadsheets, documents, and design to produce and submit work will help hone and develop skills that will definitely betransferable into an employment setting.

8. Fewer external interruptions

As well as being able to fit study around your personal life, there are other external factors that can affect classroom attendance that do not impact upon online learners. Inclement weather, dangerous road conditions, public holidays, or political events such as strikes can all result in a college or university being closed or classes being postponed. When learning online, you can attend class come rain or shine.

9. Better retention rates

The Research Institute of America and other studies have found that e-learning can boost retention rates from anything between 25% to 60% versus offline courses. This is believed to be due to the engaging content and the flexibility offered to students that is unavailable in conventional learning environments.

10. Demonstrates discipline and motivation 

Accepting responsibility for your own learning success and committing to the time required to complete your online course, particularly while working or raising a family simultaneously, will reflect well upon the learner when seeking future employment. Not only will you hold the required credentials, but you have also demonstrated desirable employability skills and a dedication to your personal and professional development.

11. Fill in the gaps 

If you are taking time out of employment to raise a family or explore another venture, taking an online course is a great way to fill in any gaps in your resume as well as demonstratean ongoing commitment to your own learning and growth. It shows ambition and drive.

12. Current career advancement 

You may not want to leave your current position even if you want to obtain a degree. The desire to seek accreditation for some means they want to climb the ladder that they currently stand upon. Online learning can facilitate this and allow you to stay securely in your current job.

13. More environmentally friendly 

In a time where we are becoming increasingly aware of the impact we are having on the environment, e-learning offers a greener solution to study and enables students to contribute towards helping the environment. With less resources wasted and fuel emissions reduced through commuting, there is definitely an environmental advantage to learning online.

It’s conclusive

Online learning offers vast advantages to those living busy lives. As well as reducing resource waste, students avoid wasting valuable time spent commuting and free up their time for their career, partner, or children. As an online student, you have flexibility to both nurture your learning and your family, job, and social freedom.