Variety of programs and
courses: From traditional four-year universities to completely online career
colleges, higher education today offers a variety of options for students. This
means that no matter what students study, from nursing to neuroscience, they
can find the courses or programs they need online. Students can also earn every
academic degree online, from a career certificate to a doctorate.
Lower total costs: Online
programs prove a more affordable option than traditional colleges. Though not
all online degrees offer less expensive net tuition prices than traditional
colleges, associated expenses almost always cost less. For example, there are
no commuting costs, and sometimes required course materials, such as textbooks,
are available online at no cost. In addition, many colleges and universities
accept credits earned via free massive open online courses, the most
recent advance in online education. These free online courses can help students
fulfill general education requirements.
More comfortable learning
environment: Commercials that feature online students studying in their pajamas
only skims the surface of one of the benefits of online education: no physical
class sessions. Students listen to lectures and complete assignments sent to
them electronically, with no need to fight traffic, leave work early for class,
or miss important family time.
Convenience and
flexibility: Online courses give students the opportunity to plan study time
around the rest of their day, instead of the other way around. Students can
study and work at their convenience. Course material is always accessible
online, making special library trips unnecessary. All of these benefits help
students balance work and family commitments with their education.
More interaction and
greater ability to concentrate: While contradictory evidence about the rate of
online student participation versus participation in traditional courses
exists, one thing remains certain: Online courses offer shy or more reticent
students the opportunity to participate in class discussions more easily than
face-to-face class sessions. Some students even report better concentration in
online classes due to the lack of classroom activity.
Career advancement:
Students can take online courses and even complete entire degrees while
working, while in-between jobs, or while taking time to raise a family. This
academic work will explain any discontinuity or gaps in a resume as well. Also,
earning a degree can show ambitiousness to prospective employers and a desire
to remain informed and prepared for new challenges.
Continue in your
profession: Even if someone wants to complete a degree, it may not mean they
want to leave their current job. For most students today, increasing college
costs mandate that some students continue working while in school. The
previously mentioned flexibility of online programs enable students to keep
working while also pursuing academic credentials.
Avoid commuting: During
snowstorms and thunderstorms, colleges may cancel classes to avoid putting
commuting students at risk of dangerous driving conditions. Rather than miss
important class sessions, students in online courses can always “attend” by
participating in discussion boards or chat sessions, turning in their work on
time, and watching lectures or reading materials. Many students also find
substantial savings on fuel costs with no commute for classes.
Improve your technical
skills: Even the most basic online course requires the development of new computer
skills, as students learn to navigate different learning management systems
(LMS) and programs. The participation skills students learn within their online
courses translate to many professions, including creating and sharing
documents, incorporating audio/video materials into assignments, completing
online training sessions, etc. Some schools even offer students free laptops or
iPads.
Transfer credits: For
college students who want to attend summer classes, but live too far from their
colleges and/or work summer jobs, taking online classes from an accredited
college and transferring the credits to their primary college can be
beneficial. Students can earn college credit while still enjoying their summer
vacation or fulfilling the responsibilities of their seasonal employment.
Similarly, if a college or university does not offer enough open sections of a
required course, students can take the course online at another college and
transfer the credits.
