Online Learning is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional on campus learning. In fact according to the Sloan Consortium and Babson Research Group’s survey, over 5.6 million students were taking at least one online college course during the fall 2009 term; an increase of nearly one million students over the number reported the previous year. Of course this growing trend is not surprising given all the benefits that can come with a virtual education. Below are three reasons that people choose to obtain an education online.
- Convenience- Convenience is perhaps the number one reason students choose online learning. Contrary to brick and mortar schools, virtual schooling allows an individual the flexibility to attend classes at their own pace and within their available time frame. This is especially important for persons with hectic schedules or others that have jobs, but seek to further their careers while working. Likewise, those that find it difficult to keep up in traditional schools are able to keep their own pace. They don’t have the pressures of having to be in class at a certain time, or complete assignments within a certain order. They have the freedom of designating their time more toward subjects they struggle in while achieving a method their able to work with.
- Choices- Obtaining an education via the web gives individuals a limitless possibility of what they can study and what institution they study from. Many find this option to be quite appealing when local schools prove to be ineffective or narrow in degree selection. Basically this gives everybody, including those with disabilities, an educational opportunity they wouldn’t otherwise have in their geographic locations.
- Cost- Tuition costs of online schools tend to be more budget friendly. There are no additional lab fees, dorm fees, parking fees or meal plan payments. Nor are the book fees as demanding as customary schools. Most online institutions require the use of materials that can easily be accessible online through downloads. In addition, by not having to actually attend a physical class you avoid wasting money on gas and bus fare. Collectively, these standard charges tend to add up and can certainly excel thousands of dollars.
If any of these reasons appeal to you, you may want to look into taking online college courses. The effectiveness and quality proves quite superior in comparison to the standard alternative of modern colleges. A 2009 meta-study from the Department of Education found that students taking online courses outperformed their peers in traditional classrooms. Signing up isn’t hard and who knows maybe you can be one of the many that excel in this type of learning atmosphere.
