Online learning, sometimes called e-learning or virtual learning, offers a range of advantages that are attractive to students. For example, it can help students avoid some of the costs associated with traditional classroom education, such as commuting, materials and classroom rental fees.
Moreover, online learning gives students access to lectures, classwork and assignments at any time of day or night. This allows students who work, have families and other commitments to participate in their classes without the stress of finding childcare or a babysitter. And, it lets them study in the location that is most convenient for them — whether that’s their own home office, their coffee shop or the library.
In addition, students who participate in online courses often have more opportunities to interact with their peers and instructors through discussion forums and message boards. This can be particularly helpful for introverted students who might feel intimidated or uncomfortable asking questions in a live classroom setting. And, when they have a question, students can often simply ask their instructor through e-mail to get an answer quickly and easily.
But, this flexibility comes with a challenge: It requires students to be self-motivated and have strong time management skills to stay on top of their course work and meet deadlines. In other words, students who aren’t comfortable working independently or don’t have good organizational skills might find it more difficult to succeed in an online course. Luckily, there are plenty of tools available to help students develop the necessary skills for successful online learning, such as a student-centered approach to teaching and collaborative learning techniques.