Online education entails imparting education to students through an online platform via the internet. These online courses can be accessed from the students’ homes and require no commute to an institution. The non-traditional students, for instance, the students are working full time or raising families, online graduations and courses have proved to be a boon. Often online education courses are provided by a university or organization. These institutes are well equipped to host online classes with a well-trained faculty. The lectures are delivered via live video sessions on Google meet, zoom, WebEx, and many more online portals.
Online institutions work to meet with the same quality of education that was being extended through regular classes. With the advancement of online learning technologies, online education has made considerable progress in recent years.
Many online institutions collaborate with universities on campus to develop and deliver online programs. This enables an online service while providing UGC-approved courses from a recognized institution.
Thus, degrees earned through online education portals are valid and hold the same relevance as the degree earned through a regular mode of learning.
There are several benefits of online education.
1. Flexibility
Students have the liberty to juggle between jobs and careers as they are not bound by time. Since the online mode offers a flexible schedule, it becomes easy for the student to explore new and different avenues. In a traditional classroom setting, class meeting times are set, and the student has no power to control or adjust the schedule. Hence, compelling them to adjust their schedules, as per the educational institute. Most people who choose online education tend to have other commitments, and prefer this mode of learning as it gives them the power to design their own schedule to get projects done!
2. Reduced Costs
Online education costs less due to a variety of reasons. Among them, the cost of commuting to the institute is cut considerably. Thus, the costs of fuel, parking, etc are automatically cut. The course fee for online courses is comparatively less than the traditional courses. With the growth of virtual platforms, internet charges have also been reduced. This makes affording an internet connection easy. With technological advancements, the costs of laptops and desktops have also been dropped. This has made technology more accessible to a wider population.
3. Networking Opportunities
Online education also provides students with the chance to network with people across nations. This creates a pathway that leads to other opportunities in terms of collaboration and partnership with other individuals for attractive projects. At the same time, it makes them culturally sensitive and gives them exposure that will polish their interpersonal skills.
4. Documentation
The live discussion documents, training materials, and assignments are stored in a virtual database. It provides instant access to the materials for future reference. This allows the student gets his/her queries clarified, access documents fast, and save valuable time.
5. Top faculty
The courses provided by online education platforms make sure that the faculty is best in their subjects. They are well trained to handle technological devices and online portals. This initiates a smooth flow of discourse. The professors have years of experience and ensure, the students understand and imbibe the knowledge that is being imparted. The lectures are designed to be delivered online; therefore they are engaging and relevant. Topics and lessons start without wasting any time. One topic is completed in a single session and students can take time to reflect on the new things they were taught. Students can learn at their own speed instead of rushing with the whole group. Online education is a good mode of learning, as students can revisit the video lectures any number of times.
6. Effectiveness
Online learning is highly effective as the students produce great results by studying at their own pace. This hampers a stress-free environment to learn and explore. It also results in improved test scores and the production of quality assignments. The results are 100% as students easily achieve pass certificates. They also inculcate an enhanced ability to learn and implement new knowledge in the practical world. Furthermore, online education helps in retaining the learned information for a longer period of time.
7. Environment friendly
Online education promotes paperless learning, the study material and resources are provided online. With online learning, there is no need to cut trees for procuring and producing paper. Thus, e-Learning is an eco-friendly way of learning. This has had a great positive impact on the environment.
8. Quality content and undivided attention
The online education sector is growing exponentially. More people are connecting to it with every passing day. However, the number of students applying for and taking up online education is comparatively less as compared to the strength of students in the traditional mode of learning. This allows the teachers to pay undivided attention to each student in the online mode. The content of the lectures is also of a superior quality which makes it more discernible. The syllabus is meticulously designed to assure better results. Thus, the degree is ideal for the overall development of the student.
Conclusion
Online education has made great advancements during the pandemic. It has become the first choice among students when it comes to attaining a degree and enhancing their careers. The e-learning sector is bound to grow further and make a change in the life of students. It has paved the way to higher education in an effective way and will continue to make it easier for people globally to achieve their goals and dreams, irrespective of their age or previous educational qualification.