When we spend much of our time online, we are forced to learn something by clicking and scrolling. Discover something new with the Mashable series I learned it on the internet.
In recent years, technological advances and the high demand for affordable and low-cost education have led to ridiculous growth in the e-learning sector. (For some perspective, experts in 2018, the e-learning industry would reach $ 325 billion in 2025, which is three times its revenue compared to ten years earlier.) Thus, although the coronavirus pandemic has not launched the e-learning boom, sure it didn’t hurt his case.
However, even after several semesters of compulsory distance learning, an important question persists: Can online education really replace face-to-face learning?
It is not a universal panacea, but for many of us, absolutely – especially if you want to start a career, move up to your current field, switch to a completely different industry or look for a new hobby.
What are the pros and cons of online learning?
According to BestColleges’ 2020 Online Education Trends Report, just over half of students pursuing an online education instead of learning in person do so for the simple convenience factor: when you can learn from anywhere at your own pace, you have more flexibility to study around other commitments (either a job or family responsibilities) and play daily on nights and weekends.
Online learning programs, even full degrees, also tend to be significantly cheaper than their face-to-face counterparts. (Student loans? In this economy?) More on that in a moment.
Just over half of students pursuing an online education in favor of face-to-face learning do so for the simple convenience factor.
Of course, online learning presents its own challenges. Zoom fatigue is very real, as many of us have learned. There are also many distractions: good luck trying to do a boring task on the same device that might otherwise connect you to social media or run The Sims. Nor does it help that most programs offer very little supervision from an instructor to keep him on the task.
Overall, however, the benefits of e-learning seem to outweigh the problems it raises: a furious 94% of students surveyed for the aforementioned trend report said e-learning has (or will have) a positive return on investment , with 95% of them. recommending online education to other prospective students.
What kind of online classes are there?
Along with traditional online courses and degrees, which are restricted to students from certain universities and typically require a pre-requisite admissions process, you will also have “massive open online courses” or MOOCs, your most accessible and widely available cousins.
MOOCs are virtual classes that are available to anyone with an internet connection; popular online courses can enroll thousands of students at any given time, hence the “massive” part. They are often free, focus on a single topic, and typically feature pre-recorded, self-paced video conferencing, though “synchronous” versions with real-time lessons from course creators are also somewhat.
For the purpose of this piece, we will focus primarily on MOOCs and MOOC providers (or third-party online learning platforms).
What does it mean if a class or school is “accredited”?
“Accredited” programs have been officially recognized and approved by some type of institution after meeting a set of standards. Accreditation is basically the mark of a great reputation.
For what it’s worth, the vast majority of MOOCs and MOOC providers are no credited (though the rare platform as He will run will work with leading universities and companies to offer some accredited courses). That doesn’t mean you should avoid them altogether: taking an online MOOC course can help you find out if you’re really interested in a particular subject or industry before pursuing it full-time (and spending a good amount of money doing it). Also, any kind of professional development you do in your spare time is a sign to employers that you are a true seeker.
Can I get certificates online?
Most online learning platforms only hand out certificates of completion once the class is over, sometimes for a fee and sometimes in the form of a “badge” / achievement icon that can be displayed on social sites (which is a easy way to show your achievements to potential employers).
Those who do offer certificates of professionalism in certain subjects are fewer. If you want to follow that path, look for platforms like He will run which are officially associated with colleges and companies.
How much does it cost to take a MOOC?
Some good news: Tons of MOOCs are completely free, though you’ll probably need to sign up on their hosting platforms to sign up.
Depending on the site, paid classes are usually sold on demand for between $ 20 and $ 200 each (see: Udemy) or as part of a full access subscription for about a hundred dollars a year (hello, MasterClass). Note that most MOOC providers offer a mix of free and paid classes.
Relatedly, stay tuned to platforms that offer business plans for businesses and teams; you may be able to get your employer to pay for your continuing education.
Who teaches MOOCs?
It’s not ubiquitous, but many MOOCs are created and taught by industry experts, not by trained professors or professors who have spent years in a university. Instructor research also varies from platform to platform: some require a full app with essays and video demonstrations of your teaching style, while others allow almost anyone to post a class (except for explicit, offensive, or dangerous subject restrictions).
This means that the quality of the courses and the value of the production can vary greatly from one class to another even in the same place, which is one of the biggest drawbacks of this type of learning.
All in all, what are the best online learning platforms?
Now that you are an expert in all things MOOC, keep reading to see our best options.
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