Cultus
Online learning has become a popular choice for students. More people are “going to class” online, and the trend is growing. In fact, more schools are giving their students the opportunity to learn remotely from home.
But, what has brought on that change?
As you will see, students are using the online option for a variety of reasons and becoming just as suitable to be hired, as traditional learners.
Interacting in online classes
While you may think that interaction in an online classroom does not exist, that is not true. Students interact in many ways. Although some online classes use webcams to hold conversations, many professors choose writing. The professor and students are able to view everything everyone says in chat rooms, and they reply by typing their message.
But, there are other forms of written communication. E-mails, class notes and PDF files are all used to create the same learning experience as the traditional classroom setting. The main difference is the message’s medium.
Online students also benefit from less-structured class times. You can make your own schedule as long as you meet deadlines.
Transforming the classroom
Because professors and students don’t meet in a structured setting for online classes, everyone has the freedom to be more independent in a transformed setting. As a result, learning is more personalised. Professors can tweak a lesson to fit how the student understands it.
As such, professors will be able to figure out how each student learns, and change their process to fit a student’s needs. This can also eliminate problems that might have otherwise occurred based on the traditional setting.
Another benefit of the less-structured model is that a student doesn’t have to go from one part of the lesson to the next, and so on, in order. They can go back-and-forth as needed. They can also go at their own pace. The ability to do so allows the student to control what they learn, how they learn a lesson and the pace at which they learn it.
Online learning consortium
But, the process of online learning is not as new as one would think. In fact, educators have been teaching online since 1992. The tools, resources, and guidance they have received have taught educators how to teach online effectively. As a result, they have helped students learn better by going at a student’s pace rather than the traditionally structured route.
Online bachelor’s degree programs
Many schools across the country are also using these tools on a regular basis. In fact, some schools have developed fully-online bachelor’s degree programs. As a result, students rarely need to even come to class at all. This less-structured setting is perfect for students who have a job or family that they need to focus on just as much.
Online degrees and the workplace
You may think that getting an online degree may hurt you when trying to find a job. However, that is no longer the case. In fact, many employers consider online degrees to be beneficial. Because students did not have the structure of a traditional classroom, they were able to make time for other necessities. As a result, they were able to multitask better than if they had been in a traditional setting. Therefore, online learning may give you an advantage.
Blackboard
One of the most common online learning tools is Blackboard. It provides a way for educators, and learners, to come together in a virtual setting to teach, and learn, just about any lesson that one needs to understand. However, schools are no longer the only institutions using it.
Government leaders and businesses are also using the tool. Now that everyone is on-the-go in many ways, teaching and learning remotely have become a popular choice for many regardless of the field they are in. It allows them to learn at their own pace while being able to schedule every other task that they need to focus on. This ability also allows people to learn more beneficial skills for their job.
Conclusion
Online classes have become commonplace because of the less-structured setting. People are able to set their own schedules and learn the necessary lessons at their own pace. As such, they get the education they need to become just suitable to be hired, where employers are taking notice.
Vera Marie Reed is a freelance writer living in Glendale, California. This mother of two specialises in education and parenting content. When she’s not delivering expert advice, you can find her reading, writing, arts, going to museums and doing craft projects with her children.
Twitter: VeraMReed
