There are many challenges facing traditional colleges and universities including higher tuition, budget cuts, and course shortages that have caused many students to search for alternatives. With nearly three million students currently enrolled in fully-online classes and more than six million taking at least one online class as part of their degree programs, online education is extremely popular. The continually improving reputation of such learning options has helped fuel their expansion, as initial scepticism has faltered in the face of evidence that proves online learning can be just as effective as face-to-face education. All of this means that students from working professionals to recent graduates find more than a few reasons to take all or some of their courses online.
Variety of Programs
From traditional four-year universities to completely online colleges, higher education offers a wide range of options for students looking to educate themselves. This means that students can study whatever they wish to online without being forced to deviate from their chosen career paths. They can also earn nearly every academic degree available online from a career certificate to a doctorate. As a student, online courses are your best option when looking to combine affordable education and convenience.
Lower Costs
Online programs are often more affordable than traditional options. Although many online degrees may not have lower net tuition prices, they do tend to require less money over time than traditional courses. For example, there are no commuting costs and you may not be required to have any course materials, such as textbooks, because the material is often available online or sent by the professor. In addition, many colleges and universities have begun to accept credits earned via massive open online classes, the most recent innovation in online education.
Comfort
Getting up before the sun, showering, dressing, and driving to class just to sit in an uncomfortable chair for an hour or longer is hardly ideal. Online education allows you to study in the comfort of your own home, your favourite café, or your kitchen table. Lectures and other materials are sent electronically to the student who can then read them and complete assignments wherever he or she may wish to do so. Students will not have to work through traffic, find parking spaces, leave work early to arrive on time, or miss out on important family time.
Convenience and Flexibility
Online education allows students the opportunity to plan their study time around the rest of their day, rather than the other way around. Imagine getting up, having breakfast at your own pace, and then sitting down to complete your project over the course of the day. If you really want to enjoy your time working at home, you might turn on a movie or TV program while you work. Students can study and work when they are at their peak energy level whether that is early in the morning or late at night. Course material is always accessible online, allowing them to look up what they need without scheduling time to visit the library. For these reasons and more, students love to consider online education when looking for the chance to increase skills.
