Are you considering enrolling in online education? Would you like to further your education but aren’t sure it’s the right choice for you? These days, having a degree is almost necessary if you want doors to open for you in the job market. In fact, most entry level jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree and more and more jobs are requiring a master’s degree. An online education is becoming increasingly more accepted and the flexibility it offers in terms of choices is making it a popular choice for many people in terms of affordability and options.
According to a 2011 survey from the Babson Survey Research Group and the College Board, more than 6 million students are taking at least one class online at present time. This number is expected to rise every year. In the past, an online education wasn’t nearly as respected as it is now. These days, online degrees from trustworthy institutions are just as highly respected as those from brick and mortar schools.
Benefits to an online education
There are quite a few benefits to an online education. An online program can assist instructors and students in interacting in more personalized ways. A good program, for instance, can create engaging, prolific learning experiences. In the past, it was standard for teachers to stand in front of students and lecture at them. Now, however, times are changing and it’s more common to find “discussions.” Teaching has taken on a more collaborative process and become more participatory. An online education is conducive to this, especially with chat rooms and discussion boards.
There also exists the benefit of geography. For some students, online education offers them the chance of attending a school or program that they might not have had access to in the past. In some rural areas, students might have had limited educational opportunities. Now however, those opportunities have been expanded, thanks to the online programs. They simply have to have access to the internet.
In addition, thanks to the fact that the instructors come from all over the world and from different socioeconomic backgrounds and cultures, students are exposed to a range of perspectives. They are also exposed to different peers from various backgrounds and languages in the virtual classroom that they might not have been exposed to in the past.
Additional benefits
Of course, there are additional benefits to online education that often come up when discussing e-Learning and earning a degree online. Some of these benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Scheduling flexibility
- Diversity of programs
- Cost effectiveness
- Lack of commute
Some students enjoy being able to take their education into their own hands and being responsible for their motivation. They like moving at their own pace and not having someone stand over their shoulders. Others find that they actually miss the physical interactions of seeing others on a daily basis and need the constant reassurance of bodies in a physical classroom setting. Although this type of learning environment works out very well for a lot of people, for a small minority of people, they still miss traditional coursework.
Types of programs
The types of programs that are available are virtually endless. Healthcare, education, technology, and business are the most popular. However, new programs are coming up almost daily. Students enroll for the associates, bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees. There are certificates available for some programs as well.
The best part is, there is something available for everyone. At the end of the day, once you have completed your degree program and you’re on your career path, you can feel good about the fact that you’ve taken control of your life and made the decision to better yourself. That’s something to feel proud of!
Author Bio: David Miller is an educational researcher who has vast experience in the field of teaching, online testing and training. He is associated with prestigious universities and many leading educational research organizations. He’s an ed-tech veteran, currently pursuing research in ProProfs Knowledge Base Software, and is a contributing author with ProProfs.
