Constructive education is good education irrespective of how you attain it. In the fast-paced world of today, having a degree is a necessary mandate. Going to college and attending rigorous classroom sessions is passé; e-learning is the latest trend of attaining knowledge that has gained popularity over time. 21st century is all about technology. Youngsters and professionals are hooked to the “net” 24X7. It was but inevitable that knowledge in the form of teaching should be imparted online as well.
If you want to learn and make instructional decisions, you need to understand the benefits of online teaching. E-learning has solid positives over traditional classroom training as it brings with it new dimensions in education. The obvious ones include financial savings, time flexibility, and not having to commute. Apart from these, there are several other reasons which might prompt you to pursue this medium of learning:
On your own time
Simply put, e-learning is self-paced. Most of the programs or courses that are available online can be taken any time of the year. The course material is divided into relevant modules which give small chunks of training that can be absorbed by the learner in their own time. Basically, the students can either slow down or speed up their learning process according to their convenience.
Moves quickly
According to an article in “Training and Development Magazine” by Jennifer Salopek, an individual studying online can finish his training almost 50% faster than one undertaking a traditional course. The main reason behind this “speed” is the individualized approach of e-learning that allows learners to soak up information that they require and skip the material that they already have knowledge off.
Up-to- date information
All the online information can be updated easily. The most recent files are uploaded onto a server from which the material can be downloaded for daily perusal. This process is way cheaper than printing booklets, worksheets, or manuals.
It’s modern
E-learning stays abreast with all the changes taking place in technology. Audio clippings, videos, quizzes, etc. are employed as tools to impart quality education. This ensures increased retention and a better grasp on the subject. Moreover, such sections of training can be replayed or revisited in case of any confusion in understanding the material, first time around. Not possible to do so in a crowded classroom, right?
Manageable
Contrary to public belief, online courses can be managed quite easily. Most of the training programs allow the managers or program directors to keep a track of the employee schedule, course offerings, their academic progress and subsequent results. The student’s score can be easily reviewed and evaluated for areas that require additional training.
Pocket-friendly
Education today comes at a price. Better the university, higher is the cumulative bill. E-learning courses are almost 5 times cheaper than a regular classroom course. If you are planning to get a diploma, start your own business, or enrol in a certification course, then e-learning is the best step forward. It is but an ideal situation – you get to learn and you do not have to spend too much money.
Quality learning
Sometimes your geographical location may not allow you to pursue a career from a dream university. This is where e-learning can come to your rescue. You may not get the elusive campus experience, but the quality of education, interaction with teachers, and the subsequent diploma that is received at the termination of the course, all remain the same. Moreover, many leading institutions are promoting their online courses for better accessibility. This means you get to choose from a variety of subjects to suit your career needs.
Conclusion
As is evident from the aforementioned discussion, e-learning has the ability to boost and improve your career opportunities. There are certain disadvantages of e-learning like boredom, loneliness, technophobia, etc. which can be assuaged through an efficiently designed course. Preparatory as well as upskilling courses in IT, Operations, Design, Aviation, Finance, etc. are easily available online. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, MIT, Open University, University of Utah, and UC Berkeley are some of the esteemed institutions that provide free online finance courses. Such courses in finance are provided by certain Indian organizations as well.