Online schooling
Online learning is quickly becoming the norm. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, there were close to seven million students already enrolled in online college courses. Today, that number is higher, as more students are prioritizing their safety and health, and choosing to complete their degrees online.
Advantages on online education include the followings: comfort and convenience, accessibility, affordability, and individualized attention.
There are also disadvantages of online classes, which include: more distractions, less interpersonal connections, not all classes exist online, and some may find online classes challenging.
The most obvious benefit of online school is that you can attend it right from the comfort of your own home. There is no worry about your commute, or even how you will juggle getting from work to class. Online classes can be completed at a time and place that works best for you, so long as you have internet access. This convenience gives you more time to study up on important subjects, or more time to spend with your family, and less time getting to and from campus.
Many students are also more comfortable at their own home, than they would be in a college classroom. This may be due to safety reasons, given the current pandemic, or simply due to their personality and learning style.
Online school is more accessible than on-campus classes, in terms of time and expense. Let’s start with time. Online classes are designed to work into your schedule, so that you can still manage to fulfill other obligations, like a career or childcare. For those with full-time jobs or full-time family commitments, a college degree may not be possible without an online option. Online learning is accessible to just about everyone with internet.
As mentioned above, online school is typically more accessible financially, as well. Online classes can cut the cost of learning in half. This is possible because online schools have fewer expenses and amenities than college campuses (such as food, dormitories, campus staff, and more). With online classes, you also cut expenses such as gas, parking, eating out, childcare, and other costs you may encounter when having to travel to campus.
Online education has its pros and cons, as we can see above. Ultimately, the type of program or institution to pursue will depend on your own personal needs.
