Online courses range from beauty therapy, childcare, business management and information technology to creative writing, careers preparation and gardening. There really is something for everyone, whatever you’re looking for. Many people opt for online education for convenience, and not only do the university colleges offer online options, there are also lots of specialised colleges and many of these are exclusively online.
Online courses have many advantages. One of the biggest is that you can do the work when it suits you. You don’t have to give up work, move house to live near the college or even go to lectures at a particular time; you can fit the course around your life and commitments. Many online courses are mentored so you can combine the convenience of doing things at your own speed and in your own time with hand-marked assignments and support and feedback from expert personal instructors. This means that although you are in a class of one you never feel alone. Doing things at your own pace with professional encouragement is rewarding and fulfilling.
Another bonus is that you can start a course when it suits you, instead of having to wait until September/October, and there is usually no time limit on courses and no set end time. This gives you enormous flexibility to arrange your study timetable around your lifestyle. So, instead of rushing out the door to meet rigid class schedules while trying to juggle work and family commitments, you just have to walk over to the computer. That means there's no drive time, no petrol, and no parking fees. Also, no eating out or making packed lunches! This is a major plus. Finding the time to study is hard enough; having to add in long journeys, not to mention their cost, can be very discouraging. With an online course you can get a qualification without ever leaving home.
A recent study by the U.S. Department of Education found online education more effective than face-to-face learning. The study analyzed educational reports from 1996 to 2008 and found that students spent more time on the actual learning process while earning online degrees. Another important factor was that the online format gives additional communication opportunities, both between students and with faculty members, and can make it easier to find - and offer - support. Many people imagine distance education to be an isolating experience but this research shows that it doesn’t have to be.
Ultimately, distance learning usually makes more sense financially too. There is a huge trade-off that people have to make in order to go back to school full time. The loss of two to three years of experience, plus the loss in salary, is a huge amount of money to make up. Plus, if you’re doing a course while working full time you can implement what you’re learning, which is bound to impress your superiors. By choosing to learn online, you're already ahead of the game economically, and it shouldn’t be hard to find an employer who values you and your new skills. Obviously, you do need to have internet access and a certain degree of computer literacy, but doing an online course will improve your computer skills as a by-product of getting a qualification, and these are applicable in nearly every profession nowadays.
Your e-learning experience can also help you learn how to effectively manage a diverse array of tasks. E-learners are often more adept at problem solving due to their exposure to project simulation models and various diverse software applications for completing assignments. In addition, the self-discipline and time management abilities needed to finish an online qualification are traits bound to be appreciated by employers. An online qualification requires at least as much effort and dedication as anyone would normally put into a traditional classroom setup and is a sure sign that you didn’t just attend a diploma mill, you had to work. In other words, online education requires focus and individual commitment. It’s a clear indication that you are self-motivated, ambitious, and highly competent, and for these reasons online degrees are now more widely accepted than ever before.
In the highly competitive job market of these recessionary times, you need every advantage you can get, from experience to education. Online education means you can keep working, stay on top of domestic responsibilities, and work towards a qualification at the same time. And, a higher-level education can mean a bigger salary. The benefits can be even higher for women as education is a big factor in closing the salary gap. Twice as many women as men have hourly earnings at or below the minimum wage, so higher-level education, leading to higher-level occupations, is very important. Online education lets you pursue your dreams without putting your life on hold, something that was once difficult or downright impossible for working or stay-at-home mothers.
So, how do you keep yourself motivated while learning online? Well, if you keep in mind what you want the future to hold for you, and that this future is entirely up to you, persistence will follow. Bear in mind that it is your responsibility to keep up with coursework and that nobody is going to chase you for assignments. This is not secondary school, but the knowledge that procrastination and lack of effort will result in the loss of your own hard-earned money should help to keep you studying regularly! Obviously, it helps to keep distractions to a minimum while studying, i.e. switch off your mobile, tv, music, etc. Time management is very important, so prioritise your work so as not to fall behind. Last but not least, writing and vocabulary skills are very important to communicate your thoughts properly. At the very least use the spellchecking facility on your computer! However, the fact of the matter is that the hardest part is just getting started on your new course. You've got to start somewhere and findacourse.ie is a great place to start.
To see more resources and course listings for online learning why net check out the Findacourse Distance Learning Feature.
