Virtual learning has exploded in popularity over the past couple of years, with many students, parents, and school bodies calling for it to become permanent. While there has been some pushback, the benefits of online learning have become quite evident.
While the system isn’t perfect just yet, we have seen how virtual learning has and will change education. Staying connected online is already shaping up to be how many more young people learn in the future.
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Flexibility
While “classes” are still a thing with current online learning, especially with younger students, it is important to remember how much flexibility you have with online learning. You can work when you want, as long as you meet deadlines.
This flexibility allows students to learn at a time that suits them best, depending on their circumstances. Students in rural areas would much rather learn a few hours later instead of having to wake up early and travel miles to and from education venues every day.
More Options
Online learning offers a range of different learning options and courses for students. A regular educational environment relies on a set curriculum, but not everything can be taught as learning institutions can’t hire dozens of teachers who only teach one or two students a week.
Online learning will give students access to the resources and classes for these more specialized classes. While they may not have a permanent teacher and rely on self-learning, the options will be there.
Highly Accessible
Online classes are far more accessible than at a regular institution or university. This is especially true for rural areas or less developed regions of a country. While someone will still need a laptop or a computer, the internet is easier to access than a learning venue for many.
The idea of students in rural Africa or the jungles of the Amazon with access to a world-class online education is only a net positive for everyone involved. This is something that will only become a reality as internet access becomes far more widespread and accessible.
Customized Classes
Classes can be far more customized in an online environment compared to regular classes. The VCE ranking in 2021 showed us that some Australian schools were better at providing a personalised online learning experience than others. The benefit for teachers is immeasurable. You can adapt to the needs of your students. You are able to change lessons to suit someone’s skills and knowledge, as well as the pace at which they are able to learn.
Many young students struggle to keep up with work, with the usual outcome being that they are left behind. Online classes can be adapted to be slower for some or sped up for others, ensuring every student is learning at the level that suits them best.
Resources
Learning online gives you access to the biggest repository of information available, the internet. You are able to do away with traditional textbooks and the like and instead replace these resources with links to articles, YouTube videos, and anything else you need.
Price will be discussed later on, but cutting out textbooks will save students a ton of money. Using other resources also encourages students to learn how to research correctly and use critical thinking to decide what is and isn’t relevant.
Price
As mentioned already, online learning almost entirely eliminates the sometimes massive cost of attending classes at places of learning. While it will be a long time before education becomes free, if it ever does, online learning is still going to be cheaper.
This plays into the concept of accessibility, as more and more students will be able to receive a top-of-the-range education at the cost of a computer, an internet connection, and a few fees.
Improved Learning Skills
Online learning will enable students to improve two main skills they will use throughout their lives, critical thinking and self-motivation. Both of these skills are needed not only to use online learning but to let it be an effective way of learning.
Critical thinking will be needed when researching and working on projects, as you won’t have someone to turn to for clarification or to copy from. Students will need to figure things out for themselves and then follow through.
Self-motivation is also clearly needed as you won’t be in a classroom with a teacher or lecturer looking over your shoulder and making sure you work. You will need to be your own biggest motivator and ensure you meet all of your deadlines.
