Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional educational, financial, or career advice. Readers should research thoroughly and consult qualified advisors before making decisions about their education.
Are you considering online study? Whether you’re considering law courses from Harvard or a Wilkes DNP program, there are tons of options for people looking to take on further education. Studying is an excellent way to secure your dream career, earn more money, and find fulfilling and rewarding work. But what is the global impact of online education? How does it benefit people worldwide?
What is Online Education?
An online degree is delivered entirely online. This means that the lectures are usually live-streamed and recorded so students can watch them independently and at their own time. The discussion tutorials and classes tend to be held via video conferencing software such as Zoom and are usually mandatory to attend for students in the course. Any interaction between students and professors or tutors is generally done entirely remotely, such as via phone, email, or a video conferencing platform. Additionally, colleges often host discussion-style message boards or forums to encourage communication and collaboration among students.
The final degree is the same whether it’s obtained online or through traditional, on-campus study.
Breaking Down Geographical Barriers
One major benefit of E-learning is that students are no longer restricted to having to live in a certain place to go to a particular college. In the past, students would have to move states and even live on campus, especially if they were admitted to a college far from their home. This meant uprooting your life, moving away from friends and family, all to obtain a degree. With Digital learning, you can stay home, study online at the college of your choice, and remain connected to your roots.
This is particularly beneficial to students who live in remote or rural areas. They can stay home and help their families while obtaining exactly the same degree that they would if they studied on campus.
Major Institutions Offer Online Learning
It is not just small, independent colleges and schools that offer online learning. Major tertiary institutions, such as Harvard, Yale, and other prominent colleges, all offer online learning these days. Often, the same faculty teach the online degrees as well, so there is no discernible drop in the quality of education with an online degree. The courses offered range from short courses to certificates to complete degrees, including undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.
Accessibility of Education Online
Online learning has changed the way the world accesses education. Now, students from a small village in a developing nation can learn how to code, or someone from Scotland can study marine biology or chemistry from a university in Australia.
E-learning platforms have changed the way we access education. Now, students in a small village in India can learn coding from a Silicon Valley expert, or someone in London can take a course on marine biology from a university in Australia.
There is also a range of online learning platforms that offer massive open online courses on a vast range of subjects. Some of these courses are free, or much cheaper than studying at a college would be.
Accessibility is the key factor in E-learning. Let’s take a specific example to understand it better: Vishwa, a young boy who lives in a rural village in India. He is passionate about science, but his local school does not have many resources. In this case, Vishwa has the option to choose an accessible and affordable online course to deep-dive into the subject with leading professors from famous universities. This will open the doors to Vishwa that were previously closed to him.
Connection, Collaboration, and Cooperation
E-learning is not merely about individual access to knowledge. It also encourages collaboration and connection on a global scale. These courses often feature online discussion forums where students from all corners of the globe can share their ideas, ask questions of one another and the staff, and learn from each other’s perspectives and ideas.
For example, in an online math class, students from different countries like China, Brazil, and the UK can collaborate on a virtual project or assignment. This will help them take a different approach to modern mathematics, develop a more well-rounded understanding of the field, and contribute to global knowledge.
Online Education is Cheaper
Due to lower overhead expenses for colleges to offer this type of learning, online qualifications are often cheaper for tuition fees and other associated student costs, which can sometimes result in crippling student debt.
This means you get the same qualification for less cost overall. A massive benefit to this is that you’ll typically incur less student debt and be better set up for your career and future earnings. International students who don’t qualify for student loans will pay much less than if they had to attend in person to pay for accommodation and other costs of migrating. Now, they can dial into the study from their country. This is a significant advantage, as most university degrees are expensive and student debt is a major issue that makes the news frequently.
Flexibility and Choice
Another benefit of the global shift to online learning is that students now have more options, choice, and control over where, how, and when they study. As a result, they will have fewer distractions compared to studying on campus. For instance, with online learning, students can attend lectures from their couch, fully relaxed, or in a quiet cafe or other location close to home. This comfort is essential to providing a great learning experience.
This is a significant upside for students with neurodivergent conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, who typically need a calm, quiet environment without overwhelming stimuli to focus correctly and learn.
