Online education offers many advantages that lend to its importance.
The advent of the Internet brought along with it many advantages, online education being one of them. As it matures, online education is becoming more viable and accepted as a legitimate means of education. While not for everyone, online learning offers many benefits that make it an important part of our world's educational landscape.
Scheduling and Travel
One of the most important aspects of online learning is the freedom it gives those wanting to learn, in comparison with traditional schooling methods. Many people who would like to go back to school simply don't have the time to travel to and sit through a physical class. With online learning, you travel as far as your computer and can, in most cases, fit your schooling around your normal schedule.
A Modern Skill Set
Online education, according to Montgomery College, gives people skills that many employers might find desirable. Skills such as e-mail, research ability and computer use are all demonstrated by simply taking online courses. You can also use the valuable computer and Internet skills you learn by taking online classes in your everyday life to keep up with people and things you care about over the Internet. This is important because it doesn't really matter what class you're taking online, just the simple fact that you're learning or demonstrating that you know use a computer in such a manner can go a long way.
Individual Attention
With physical education, classrooms can frequently become overcrowded. For some, simply having others present is enough to cause a distraction that could take from their learning experience. With online education, it's kind of like having a one-on-one virtual tutor. Montgomery College says that students often have direct e-mail access to instructors. This allows questions to easily be answered and helps ensure students won't be too embarrassed to ask the question in the first place.
Self-Discipline
Self-discipline and discipline, while similar, are still different. When you take an online course it requires more self-discipline to follow through than it would if you physically had teachers and other students expecting you to be in the classroom with them at a specific time. Enrolling in and completing online courses shows a high level of self-discipline, which means you can take the initiative with things and don't have to wait for others to tell or show you what to do.
Not Just for College Students
One of the most beautiful things about online education is that it's not just for college students. Many free courses are available online through programs like OpenCourseWare and The Khan Academy. In fact, many prestigious universities such as MIT, UC Berkley and UC Irvine offer totally free online courses through OpenCourseWare. While this option won't get you the official college credits taking the paid class would, it can still teach you valuable skills and information that can be applied to your life and career.
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