The Internet is full of opportunities for self-teaching and the ability to learn about almost any topic, industry, or skill without ever having to leave the sofa. But online learning isn’t for everyone and presents just as many disadvantages as it does advantages.
In this post, we’re going to look at what makes online learning a superb resource for everyone from the student to the curious bystander and, conversely, why you should always tread with caution before throwing everything into this form of tuition.
Without further ado, here are the key advantages and disadvantages of online learning.
Advantages
1. It’s fun
Online learning is inherently fun. The courses are usually more interactive than they would be in a stuffy classroom and the introduction of methods such as ‘gamification’ (the process of incorporating reward-based user interaction, adapted from the world of video games) really helps people engage with the learning material.
2. There are no boundaries
One of the biggest challenges when it comes to learning for both teachers and students is time and location. The scheduling of classes and their location can be a limiting factor for many, but with online learning, there are no boundaries. Classes can be undertaken whenever and wherever suits the learner.
3. It’s more cost effective
Online learning is, in overall is more cost-effective than other forms of tuition. There’re no traveling costs to worry about and the fees for courses are usually minimal upfront or fixed monthly charges that vastly undercut the cost of teacher time and continually updating physical textbooks.
4. It’s immediate
If you decide to learn in the traditional classroom environment, you’re unlikely to grab a place quickly. Weeks – if not months – will often pass before you are able to start the process of learning. With online learning, you can start doing so immediately.
Advantages
1. Accreditation concerns
Given the number of online courses available, the quality can be a bit hit and miss. Equally, courses featuring the appropriate accreditation aren’t always that easy to find. When investing in an online course, it pays to double check any claimed accreditations; imagine spending money on a supposed degree only to find it is next to useless once qualified.
2. No human interaction
Online courses usually consist of video and text-based studying and, even if those videos feature tutors, certain courses benefit from real, face-to-face human interaction and the company of other students to get the most from the material being studied.
4. Self-discipline a prerequisite
If you’re prone to procrastination, online learning may not be for you. Bearing in mind you’ll typically undertake classes while in the comfort of your home complete with distractions aplenty, self-discipline is an absolute prerequisite. By comparison, teachers in traditional classrooms can aid and encourage productivity in a more formal environment.
5. You’ll need to be your own lesson planner
Online courses can generally be tackled in any way the student feels fit and, while this form of non-linear learning is welcomed by certain people, others may find it a challenge. Being presented with a long list of modules, any of which can be started at any time, can be rather daunting for some.
Summary
Online learning is fabulous if you are self-disciplined, able to direct yourself in terms of tackling the content and don’t mind the solitary nature of it. If you prefer human interaction, the company of fellow students and a teacher to ensure you get the most from the lesson, online learning may be a stretch too far.
