E-learning was growing before the current pandemic took everyone by surprise, and the current climate has only thrust it further into the limelight, creating a world where this platform is more than just convenient – it’s necessary. The opportunities afforded those who want to further their education keep expanding as necessity creates a space for e-learning in the mainstream world. More and more adults are now enrolling in e-learning courses, even when given the choice between that and more conventional options. Aside from the pandemic, there are six key reasons e-learning has emerged as the future of continuing education:
1. More Program Options
The flexibility that allows students to learn from anywhere also allows the creator of and contributors to the e-learning platforms to provide and expand upon a wide array of programs. Brick and mortar learning institutions are limited by space, teacher availability, and other similar restraints. Just as students are no longer hindered by location, neither are teachers. This allows teachers to teach from a variety of locations and in variety of capacities. This expands the options considerably, creating an opportunity to learn almost anything.
2. Cost-Effectiveness
Besides just being cost-effective in its own right, e-learning provides an opportunity for students to effectively hold down a full-time job while furthering their education. This is light years ahead of where we were not that long ago when going back to school meant finding a part-time job or quitting a job altogether. This expands the number of students who are able to take courses, taking e-learning to those who might otherwise dismiss furthering their own education. This financial gain is a gift that keeps on giving as those same students, not only further their education in a frugal way, but also increase their long-term earning potential as they apply this knowledge and success to their
professional endeavors.
3. Availability
In recent history, you had to sacrifice quality for availability in the realm of e-learning, but those days are behind us. The flexibility to learn from anywhere has been married with quality education that can be accessed any place that has Wi-Fi. Education is no longer hindered by travel or by a cumbersome commute, but rather is truly accessible to anyone who is dedicated to the coursework. Now, instead of working around a school schedule, the school schedule works around you. This same availability expands on those whose primary language is different from that of the teacher. Foreign Language subtitles, dubbing, and voice-overs make it possible to not just learn from anywhere but
learn from anyone.
4. Flexibility
Lack of flexibility in school and in work make it hard to achieve a healthy work/life balance. When everyone in your sphere needs you on their terms and on their timeline, oftentimes the quality of work diminishes across the board, along with the quality of life. From working at your own speed to re-visiting lectures and videos, e-learning creates a space that caters to the flexibility that makes wise time-management and steady workflow a reality. Quite suddenly, a parent who needs to learn during the baby’s nap or a full-time employee who needs to utilize evenings and Saturdays can both benefit from continued learning via the e-learning format.
5. Inclusivity
E-learning platforms provide options for the deaf and hard of hearing or vision impaired, creating a learning environment that is more accessible and inclusive than any that existed before its time. The ability to add closed captions and audio descriptions to videos brings these students opportunities that did not exist previously. Additionally, the cost-effectiveness of the platform, along with the flexibility, means it is accessible to those in a wide variety of socio-economic situations. It is also worth mentioning the obvious fact that those with limited mobility are no longer hindered by their disability when it comes to expanding their knowledge. Online education is inclusive education and provides choices for those whose options have thus far been limited by disability constraints.
6. Independence and Time Management
Online learning offers a flexibility that also encourages good time-management and discipline, while fostering independence. These skills are just as valuable as the class material itself and worth pursuing on their own merit. Often, people create goals to enhance and expand these life skills, but aren’t sure how to reach them. Fortunately, most e-learners have found that time-management and educational independence both tend to evolve organically as a result of walking through online courses.
No matter what happens in the future, it is clear that e-learning is here to stay. The flexibility offered by the online format, combined with decreased costs and increased program options, contribute to the growth and sustainability of that which was seen as sub-par just a few short years ago. Add in the inclusivity, life skills, and accessibility of the programs, and it is no wonder the future of education lies in this ever-growing platform. E-learning has established itself as, not just a viable option for education, but a premier one that has earned its place on the short list of educational considerations.
