Studies have shown that online colleges are just as effective at teaching material as traditional classes. So any class has the potential to work well online if taught the right way. The quality of the class does not solely depend on the material being taught, it depends on the school, too.
Online colleges can offer quality training in:
Fields that require teamwork
Today’s businesses are relying more than ever on modern technology to communicate. So while teamwork projects may seem best suited for the traditional classroom, online group projects actually provide a better representation of real-life group projects. Most traditional student groups meet only physically, while online student groups are forced to meet using instant messages, e-mails or teleconferencing – the same methods embraced by today’s business world. Because teamwork is used extensively in the business world, business courses that focus on practical training through group projects work surprisingly well in an online environment.
Fields that constantly change
Because online colleges do not use traditional textbooks, the curricula they offer are more flexible than traditional schools. Most teaching material can be changed from semester to semester or even on the fly during a class session. While this capability may not matter for programs like history or English that rarely change, it makes a huge difference for programs that must evolve to accommodate new industry developments. This is why programs for developing industries like graphic design, Web development or digital media training are ideal for online education.
Fields that require practical training
Online education fundamentally changes the traditional teaching model by putting the focus on the student rather than the teacher. Instead of a teacher’s style dominating the learning experience, online training allows the teacher to take on more of a coaching role. Because of the nature of online education, online classes often focus more on practical training through student projects, with the teacher providing direction. Programs that work best when students learn through practical training, then, work well in an online classroom.
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.)
