There are both advantages and disadvantages of online courses. We are in a whole new era of learning where everything is available on the internet. Despite being a rich source of knowledge, online learning is not for everyone.
Benefits of online courses
Online courses are a form of distance learning. The courses are portable and available wherever you are. You don’t have to go anywhere to take the course; it comes to you You can access an online course at a time and place that is most convenient for you. You can move, be reassigned anywhere in the world, or travel extensively and still access online courses.
Another advantage of online learning is that you can proceed at your own pace. Whether your busy schedule leaves you little time to study, you need more time to learn a specific concept, or you want to speed through the material, online learning offers the flexibility you need.
Typically, online courses are structured for adult education. This makes the material easier for most people to learn and helps you apply the material in the real world. You learn what you need to know when you need to know.
E-learning is widely used for on-the-job training because workers can attend classes when it is most convenient and workers can access information when they need it for their job.
Online courses are usually cheaper than traditional courses. Not only are the course fees often lower, but there are also no transport costs.
Disadvantages of online courses
Online learning also has some disadvantages. Some people learn better in a traditional classroom. You need the live interaction with a teacher and other students. Online classes can attempt to simulate classroom interaction, but they cannot duplicate it.
To be successful in online learning, you need to have some specific skills. You must be self-motivated, responsible for your own learning and have good time management skills. If you don’t have these skills, traditional courses may be a better choice for you.
A major downside to online courses, especially when it comes to e-learning grids and virtual educational communities, is accessibility. Not everyone has access to a computer with an internet connection. Without this access, online learning is difficult.
Online education is so portable and flexible for so many people that the downsides are easily overlooked. If online education was the best choice for everyone at all times, we wouldn’t need brick-and-mortar schools, right? There are both advantages and disadvantages of online courses.
Thanks to Steve Mathews