While more people than ever are participating in online education, 2008 statistics show that nearly 75 percent of today’s students have never taken a single class online. Some people still feel that online training doesn’t offer the same quality of education as a traditional college, while others think they lack the technical knowledge to handle online learning.
Those who do take classes online find that advances in technology have made today’s online colleges more attractive than ever. For example, faster Internet connections and mobile access mean students no longer have to be chained to their desktop computers, waiting for the Internet to load. According to research performed by the U.S. Department of Education, improvements made to online schools have turned online education into a valuable learning experience.
Online learning is not suited for everyone, but many people with time and budget constraints find it an attractive option for the following reasons:
Time savings
No travel – According to research performed by the U.S. Department of Education in the late 1990s, approximately 86 percent of students commute to school (from a U.S. Department of Education study “Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies,” May 2009). Many of these students spend more than one hour a day driving back and forth between classes. Online learning requires no travel and today’s mobile technology means students can stay connected to school anywhere.
Works around students’ schedules – For people with children or full-time jobs, traditional colleges have schedules that can be impossible to make. Online education can work into any student’s schedule – whether they want to take classes late at night, early in the morning, throughout the weekend or during their children’s naptimes.
Works at each student’s pace – Many students in a traditional classroom setting find that their professor moves too quickly for them, not stopping for questions or explanations. Others find that their classes move too slowly. One of the benefits of an online education is that students can move as quickly or as deliberately through the program as they need to.
Money savings
No room and board – According to statistics provided by CollegeBoard in their “Trends in College Pricing,” study from 2009, the average cost for a four-year public education is $7,020, and the average cost for a four-year private college is $26,273. Much of this cost comes from room, board and meal passes – expenses that online students avoid.
No travel cost – Students who already save money on room and board by commuting to school still spend plenty on travel. Not only do they pay for gas, but they also put costly wear and tear on their vehicles.
Low cost for materials – According to a Washington Post article, “Break on Cost of Textbooks Unlikely Before Last Bell, 2010” from August 2008, textbook prices are on the rise. Estimates say the average student pays between $700 and $1,000 per year. Many students taking classes online save money on textbooks because much of their curriculum is online.
Information in this article was provided by the International Academy of Design & Technology – Online. Contact IADT Online today if you’re interested in developing marketable knowledge and career-relevant skills with an industry-current degree program. (IADT Online does not guarantee employment or salary.)
Courtesy of ARAcontent
