Your students want the opportunity for job training and skill development. Still, they may be fearful of starting a program because they have most likely been out of the classroom for a while, in addition to balancing work, family, and other challenges. Online learning is not new, but many people have yet to try it because they do not know what to expect. Here are some of the benefits associated with online learning—details that can help you put students at ease, including the importance of reskilling and upskilling in the current economic climate and ways to assure them that they can get proper career training, online.
Online learning allows for flexibility
When balancing work, family, and life stresses, flexibility in learning is essential. Online courses allow people to go back to school to get the education and training they need as it fits within their schedule. In addition, students can log in and complete coursework at any time, from wherever they have an internet connection. Online learning also allows individuals to move through content at their own pace—moving on when they have fully mastered the material versus keeping pace with the rest of their class.
Online learning helps students prepare for digital collaboration in the workplace
If 2020 taught us anything, it was how to work and collaborate with others in remote locations. We live and work in a global marketplace, and employees will often find themselves working on teams with people based in multiple locations and being forced to collaborate digitally. Online learning is great preparation for these situations that students will likely find themselves in during their careers. Students will need to participate in online discussions and chats with others completing the same courses to learn from them, complete assignments, and get the most out of their education.
Online learning demands respect from employers
There used to be a stigma that online learning was not as good as programs completed on campus, but this is no longer the case. Online learning is widely accepted as a high-quality form of learning, even one that can require more self-discipline according to an article from U.S. News & World Report. Courses are typically self-paced in online learning, meaning no instructor is standing over students, ensuring they complete assignments and progress through their program. It takes a lot of self-discipline to set, and stick to, a schedule—carving out time to study and ensuring that students fully grasp the material while moving forward. In addition, online students must be able to set goals and work toward them. This is something that employers value and want to see in potential candidates.
Online learning is growing in popularity
Forbes reports that over six million students are participating in online courses, and this number is growing. Professional skills in areas like technology and allied health are extremely high, and the subjects are constantly evolving. As a result, designers of online courses have adapted and produced relevant learning content more quickly than traditional programs, driving the demand for these courses. Forbes also reports that the growth in popularity of online courses can be attributed to the increased use of technology in our daily lives. Because we are all more comfortable online with the use of computers and cell phones than we were 20 years ago, online learning has become more acceptable and viewed as a great way to obtain necessary job training.
The bottom line
Online learning is expanding worldwide. The market for online courses is expected to grow by $160 billion dollars in just 10 years. ed2go can help Online course market growth is $160B in the next 10 years make sure you have in-demand online courses and certifications in your catalog today. Over the past 15 years, ed2go has helped institutions and organizations expand course offerings, cut startup costs, and grow education enrollments by providing the courses students are looking for now and ensuring a great online learning experience.
We strive to be there for students at every step of their enrollment course completion and beyond. Not only can we help you bypass development costs for creating and administering cutting-edge, in-demand training programs, but we will also work to ensure that your students get started on the right track, stay engaged in their courses, and gain the training and skills they want by completing their program.
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