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Top 5 Benefits of an Online Education

Although the idea of distance education is centuries old, online education in its current form is relatively new and is always progressing and innovating.  There will always be a debate between those who support online education and those who don’t; however, the recent growth of online programs, including programs at traditional universities, indicates these programs are here to stay.  As more and more schools offer online degrees, potential students may wonder how online education is more advantageous.  Here are 5 reasons:

1) Flexibility
This is probably one of the most cited advantages and for good reason.  Due to the asynchronous nature of online education, a student can still work and take care of a family, for example.  Assignments can be completed when the student is able.  This allows one to create a schedule that works around the student, not the program.

2) Access
Online programs are accessible no matter how far you are from the “home campus.”  For many students who reside outside urban centers or who aren’t able to travel easily, this is an incredible advantage, making college degrees available to students who formally wouldn’t be able to enroll—as long as they have the requisite technology.

3) Tech Savviness
Online students have to be more adept with the technology required to participate in their programs:  their computer and all the consequent obstacles and resolutions that come from using a computer.  An online student must learn the “ins and outs” of how to use their computer to download files, access multi-media and learn complex applications (depending on their major).  If a problem arises, the student must be able to trouble shoot and communicate with a support specialist to fix a problem.  This leads to a better awareness and facility with the digital world.

4) Writing-Centered
The primary form of communication in an online class is the written word.  More than their on-ground peers, an online student must engage with both his or her professor and peers using written language.  This is great practice in the age of the email, no matter what the writing skills of the student are when they first enroll.

5) Availability of Faculty
The expectations of faculty in the online form are much different than their traditional colleagues.  Online faculty must be much more accessible since there is no face-to-face communication.  This means faculty generally respond to emails quicker and are more likely to speak on the phone—even to text!

Although online and traditional education both have their own advantages, each student has to assess which is best for them.  Hopefully, this list will help!