In Class Differences: Online Education in the United States, 2010, The Sloan Consortium and Babson Survey Research Group report that more than 5.6 million college students – almost 30% of all those enrolled in higher education – took at least one online class during the fall 2009 term. Clearly, distance learning is no longer the unorthodox educational format it once was. But why take web-based classes?
Here are six of the biggest benefits of online learning:
1. Convenience. Distance learning classes
Why Taking Classes Online is Right for You allow you to do your coursework from home, or from anywhere else you have a reliable Internet connection. This means you can study in your home office or at your kitchen table – or even while you’re at the airport waiting for a plane or in the breakroom at work. Anywhere, anytime access is a huge advantage of online education.
And as a side benefit – no commute or parking fees!
2. Cost. Depending on what kind of credentials you’re earning, online courses can be less expensive than on-campus courses. This is especially true for students who would otherwise be paying out-of-state or private college tuition, which can be extremely costly. Though it varies from program to program, the pricing of online courses is generally competitive with in-state public university tuition rates.
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3. Flexibility. Earning a degree can be very difficult for adults who have work, family or other responsibilities. If you have to be in the office 40 hours a week or care for several children 24/7, a regular college schedule isn’t going to be possible for you. But online courses generally allow you to do your work as your schedule allows – evenings, weekends, late night or whenever.
Of all the benefits of online learning, flexibility is probably the one that has the greatest impact for most students.
4. Networking. Your online classes will probably be filled with students from all over the country – and perhaps even some from other countries. It’s a great opportunity to get to know people who are in your field but live elsewhere. Their perspectives will broaden your horizons and increase your understanding of important subjects. And if you ever have to travel or relocate, having contacts in different areas can be of immense value.
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5. Options. If you study online, you are not limited to schools in one particular location. You are free to choose the institution that offers the degree program you’re looking for, not the one that just happens to be within an easy commute. Today, thousands of schools – including several Ivy League Universities – offer online education programs that you can attend from almost anywhere in the country.
6. Pace. To one degree or another, distance learning programs generally let you set your own pace. Some require you to complete assignments and take tests periodically (one exam per week, for example) while others simply require you to have all work done by the end of the course. Either way, the pace is almost always more forgiving than the regimented style of on-campus classes.
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One final note: If you do choose an online education program, make sure it is accredited. Regional accreditation is best; transferring credits between regionally accredited schools is much easier and almost all employers will recognize a degree from one as legitimate. National accreditation is acceptable for vocational and technical schools, which are not generally eligible for regional accreditation.