Why Do Students Like Online Learning?
Why has online learning become so popular?
With over 4 million students enrolled in online schools and universities (and that number is growing 30% per year), there are many compelling reasons for attending a 'cyber' classroom.
Top 10 Advantages:
- You can "attend" a course at anytime, from anywhere. Among other things, this means you can attend classes regardless of your work schedule, you can spend quality time with your family, and if you travel (for business or pleasure) you can attend class from anywhere in the world that has internet access.
- Online learning enables you to choose how you prefer to be taught. Everyone has their own way of learning that works best for them. Some learn visually, while others do better when they "learn by doing."
- Course material is accessible 24 hours a day 7 days a week. You have the ability to read and re-read lectures, discussions, explanations and comments. Often spoken material in the classroom passes by due to a number of distractions, missed classes, tiredness or boredom.
- In an online environment, attendance to class is only evident if you actually participate in classroom discussion. This increases your interaction as well as the diversity of opinion, because everyone gets a say, not just the most talkative.
- Past students often comment that online learning lets them attend class when fully awake and attend in increments of convenient time block, rather than rigid 2 or 4 hour stretches once or twice a week
- Participating online is much less intimidating than "in the classroom." Anonymity provides you a level playing field undisturbed by bias caused by seating arrangement, gender, race and age. You can also think longer about what you want to say and add your comments when ready.
- There appears to be increased bonding and camaraderie over traditional class environments. Because online courses offer "chat rooms" for informal conversation, there's a conducive environment for you and your peers to discuss shared backgrounds and non-class discussions.
- Online classrooms also facilitate team learning by providing chatrooms and newsgroups for meetings and joint work. This eliminates the problems of mismatched schedules, finding a meeting location and distributing work for review between meetings.
- Professors that teach online come with practical knowledge and may be from any location across the globe. This allows you to be exposed to knowledge that can't be learned in books and see how class concepts are applied in real world situations.
- The online environment makes professors more approachable. You can talk openly with your teachers through online chats, e-mail and in newsgroup discussions, without waiting for office hours that may not be convenient. This option for communication provides enhanced contact between you and your professors.
Sources:
Stephanie Coleman. "Benefits of Online Learning." World Wide Learn, The World's Premier Online Directory of Education. 14 August 2005. World Wide Learn. 02 May 2008. "http://www.worldwidelearn.com/education-articles/benefits-of-online-
learning.htm"
Lewis, Regina; Earning a Degree Online. (2003) Retrieved from "http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/08/26/earlyshow/contributors/reginalewis/
main570268.shtml" August 14, 2005.