The future of education: online education’s rise to the mainstream

Online Learning Site
Online Learning Site

With technology, the internet, and related innovations continuing to advance into every corner of people’s lives, it’s no wonder the worldwide e-learning industry is set to be worth $355 billion by 2025.

Physical classrooms are no longer necessary for students to obtain high school diplomas, degrees, and professional training certificates. Furthermore, physical textbooks have become a thing of the past as students now opt to learn from downloadable PDFs, eBooks, and video lectures.

Any worries that this will lead to a less personal experience for students disappear with the news that online learning platforms use each student’s data to tailor the courses to their strengths and weaknesses. It appears to be working well, as e-learning has been proven to increase academic retention rates from 25% to 60%.

Online learning offers some very attractive benefits for those considering embarking on educational pursuits.

Why is online learning rising in popularity?

Online learning saw one of its most notable booms during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Without the possibility for students to go to school, college, or work, institutions had no choice but to take their education online. However, many institutions did not have the high-quality digital infrastructure to roll out e-learning immediately. Pre-established online learning platforms helped to pick up the pieces, with many students realizing the benefits of learning on their terms.

Since then, massive investments have been made in digitalizing the education sector and providing students with a well-rounded education from their laptops, phones, and computers.

The benefits of online learning

Here is a look at some of the top benefits of online learning.

  • It allows for flexible learning

Online learning adds a new element of flexibility to earning diplomas, degrees and certificates. This overcomes two of the key barriers that stand between students and their education: location and time.

It goes without saying that location has often been one of the most significant hurdles for people seeking good education. Good schools are often located too far away from students’ homes, requiring them to spend extra time or money on travel – or opt for a lower-quality education closer to home. Furthermore, higher education usually requires students to relocate to an entirely different city or state. All of these inconveniences are taken away thanks to the availability of quality education and degrees online.

Time is also a significant factor preventing adults from pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Full-time and even part-time jobs can mean that adults do not have the time to attend their scheduled lectures and seminars. Online learning allows students to organize their learning around their daily schedule.

  • It makes evaluation more efficient

Education administration has long been one of the biggest challenges in the industry. With many such students in their system, manually keeping track of student records was becoming too much for college staff. However, online learning uses reliable AI technology to track attendance and grade assignments. This reduces turnaround times and eradicates human administration errors. The result is greater student satisfaction.

  • It offers personalized education to students

It would be easy to assume that students learning via a screen will receive a less personal teaching experience than those who attend a brick-and-mortar college. However, as student populations rapidly expand, one-on-one meetings and sessions are becoming increasingly rare for those attending school in person. Online learning hubs cater to this gap, using AI-powered systems to tailor their courses to individual student needs. Modules and assignments are curated to suit strengths and weaknesses, while some services provide video call mentoring sessions to those who want them.

Top 5 subjects for remote learning

Some subjects are better suited to online learning than others. Students assessing their options for courses and degrees may want to consider the top five subjects for remote education.

Marketing and PR

Marketing and public relations courses study consumer behavior, business strategy, and data analysis. All aspects of these courses easily lend themselves to online learning because the subject matter can be easily absorbed from video lectures, slideshow presentations, and eBooks. Moreover, much of this field’s practical digital communication work already requires a computer. Courses like an Online Master’s in Marketing make it easy for busy adults to gain valuable new qualifications on their terms.

Media and communications

Much of the media, communications, and journalism industry has shifted online, so it makes sense that a media and communications course would adapt well to online learning. Exams can easily take place online, while digital media projects are easier to deliver over the internet.

Business

Postgraduate business degrees are hugely popular for adults who want to progress in their line of work or make a career change. However, many degrees at brick-and-mortar institutions require students to relocate, spend time away from family, and quit their job. The possibility of achieving a master’s of Business Administration (MBA) degree online means students can have a better work/education balance.

IT and Computer Programming

Students working toward information technology and computer programming degrees already spend their lectures and seminars staring at a computer, so it’s not surprising that these degrees translate so well to remote learning. It also makes it easier for students to dive straight into their practical work between lectures and seminars.

Law

Law courses involve a lot of reading and writing, and the days of pen and paper are long gone. Furthermore, with a degree as intense as law, eliminating travel time means students can spend more time studying. Moreover, law degrees can take many years to complete. With remote courses, students can lead a more balanced life while earning their qualifications.

In conclusion, there is no escaping the fact that online learning is taking over the education sector. This can be seen in everything from traditional institutions making considerable investments in their e-learning platforms to specialized online learning companies that allow adults to obtain fully-fledged degrees at their convenience. E-learning is the democratization of education, and as technology continues to advance, we can expect more students to opt to learn online and live a more balanced life.