Speaking about online learning today, we need to remember the circumstances that led us to it. The worldwide pandemic that started in 2023 was one more step toward making it more effective. As with any invention, we can see the advantages and disadvantages of it in time. Using all online learning benefits, we don’t need to spend thousands of dollars annually on tuition fees. There is no need to visit world recognizable university campuses if you can enroll for cheaper programs online.
More and more students worldwide shift to online learning. It could be full programs of getting bachelor’s, master’s or Ph. D. degrees. They often choose courses at such educational platforms as Coursera or Khan Academy, where they can get a certificate for their knowledge. In our turn, we want to share the most common strengths and weaknesses every student faces studying online.
Strengths
1. Functionality
Online education is comfortable to use in so many ways. Using special platforms as GetCourse or Google Classroom, teachers can gain students’ attention with no effort. Both students and teachers can concentrate more on the studying process than on preparation. Having everything to study in your gadget, you can download many helpful apps such as a focusing tool, dictionary, math solver, or file converter. Also, studying online, you don’t have any excuses for procrastination because all you need to study is on your laptop screen.
2. 24/7 access
Usually, studying on campus, we need to choose a time to visit the library or ask the teacher for that magic book with all answers. Studying online, everyone has the opportunity to reach any source within one click. You don’t need to ask anyone’s permission to share the necessary information with you. It is like any website that works online 24/7, so you can reach it when you need it. Many students like to use such helpful services to increase their subject understanding and improve analytical and writing skills. Check the review of one of them.
3. Study from anywhere
Students can stay in their home country or city learning online and get high-quality knowledge from the best specialists. It is comfortable not to waste time and money on a journey or renting a dorm room. Studying from anywhere lets you dedicate more time for your work or personal life. Even if you are a full-time student, with an online learning method, you can easily explain difficult topics and have more hours to prepare for classes.
4. Ecological approach
There is no need to print all your materials to give to teachers. According to TheBrightAcademy, studying online, you can keep your books in PDF format and make a conspectus from them if it helps to memorize. With online education, every student saves thousands of papers, so Earth-saving activists should promote e-learning. All you will use is a notebook for handwritten messages and insights. Many brain researchers say that writing helps to understand the material better and increases memory.
5. Economic profitability
Choosing to study online saves time and money. This is one of the most valuable strengths of online learning, as many enrollees can’t afford to study in prestigious schools due to high tuition fees. You won’t need to spend extra money on your way to campus and back. Some students like online learning for its flexibility because they can work during the educational process.
Learning online, you don’t need to spend money on parties and meet people if you don’t want to. Online education is all about studying and getting a degree, and that’s the biggest benefit for those who care not only for money but also for time.
6. Students equality
It is hard to study efficiently if you are not noticeable in class. Indeed, not every teacher can cover so many students like you. It isn’t easy even to get one answer among all the interesting questions. Online learning is a great way to avoid stereotypes of disrupting effective education.
Weaknesses
1. Lack of computing knowledge
Even if most students are a young generation under their forties, it doesn’t mean that everyone has equal computing skills. Some students are still more comfortable staying in the classical education type with conspectus, books, and printed essays. Students can be very good at the discipline they learn, but without a guide on using specific learning programs, they can get lost in thousands of unexpected notifications.
It is also necessary to manage all possible issues with the internet provider. Remember that connection disruptions can disrupt your learning. Therefore, improving technical skills is vital if you want to get an online degree.
2. High expectations
When students get degrees by the classical method, they forget they need to manage self-discipline. Often it is the biggest mistake when students expect something from an online degree. Doing this, students can fail to put much effort into the studying process, thinking all can happen automatically.
Still, even due to automatized processes, online learning requires strict adherence to deadlines and a clear understanding of the subject. Only those who realize the importance of knowledge applicable in further careers can manage online education simply.
3. Less practice
When people study online, they forget how to implement essential skills in life. For example, when you write a thesis statement or research paper, you are working not only on text but also on how you can present it to the audience. Students can lose their sense of opposite viewpoints during online education and feel a lack of oratorical skills. If you want to be at the top and keep your speeches engaging, you need to find someone who helps you train in defending the paper before the Zoom conference.
4. Too much time learning
Due to 24/7 access to all studying materials, students can lose a sense of time and study more hours a day than required. Usually, staying at home, a person can think that there is nothing more important than exploring and dedicate more and more time to it without feeling the limits. On one side, students can’t concentrate on online classes and always be distracted by social media, shopping, or games, and on the other side, a student can be overwhelmed doing too many tasks in one run.
5. Lack of communication
Studying online, you can’t just go to the student parties, but also ask peers for a response. Having the assistance of more experienced students is one of the biggest advantages of offline campuses. Unfortunately, the online community could not be so friendly for newcomers, and it is not proven you could get reliable feedback. Also, online you can’t discuss a subject so patiently as offline. Seeing an opponent during dialogue is much more valuable for educational results than perceiving dry information.
Conclusion
As you can see, the list of online learning strengths and weaknesses can be promoting more for its advantages. Undoubtedly, due to the powers of e-learning, students have flexible class schedules, more time to do homework, and always have a teacher’s online support. On the other hand, students who can’t manage their time become more overwhelmed sitting all the time in front of the laptop screen and lack communication and the ability to meet new friends. Check this article to find out more about successful education systems. In any case, it’s a good experience to prepare for your dream job and get all the essential knowledge with the help of new technologies.
