The new trend in education training is online learning. Most of us maintain friendships via e-mail and Facebook, complete our banking online, and end our Christmas shopping online. Technology has also made it possible to take online classes. I have heard some people express their doubts about online learning. A decade ago, online learning was associated with purchasing a fraudulent degree, but now online education is actually earning a respected degree or professional certificate.

There is no dispute that e-learning is different from traditional classroom/lecture hall learning, but different does not equal bad. Internet learning can be a valuable tool for delving deeper into a particular subject – especially for full-time professionals. I have now taken several UCSD Extension online courses. In fact, I am earning a professional certificate which I am completing entirely through online courses.

Online classes can be a bit intimidating initially. Not only do some participants have to keep pace with lectures, exams, quizzes, discussions, and homework after decades of being in the workplace, but they also have the added component of navigating through an entirely online course load. But don’t worry, I have met people of all ages and computer skills successfully and completed these online classes. Hopefully, the information given below will better inform those of you who are curious or interested in taking online courses.

Basics about online learning

Format

The online class format uses a platform like Blackboard where students can listen to lectures, receive handouts, take exams and post them on discussion boards. For the most part, it is user-friendly.

Who are the online courses for

Motivated learners. In a sense, online courses can cost more anonymity, less accountability, but a lot more freedom. It is possible to complete an online class but not actually learn anything. Instructors are not very strict on grading until assignments are completed, from what I’ve seen. These conditions are ripe to meet only the minimum and turn into mediocre work for the unfailingly. This is why a genuine drive to learn the material is vital in online learning.

Full-time Worker. Online courses are suitable for workers who have a day job and have to take care of a family because it offers a lot of flexibility. I could complete my assignments and readings during my lunch break or at night in my pajamas. I know mothers who put all the kids to bed and accessed his lectures. One of the biggest advantages of online compared to traditional classroom learning is flexibility. Online courses are incredibly flexible.

What you can expect from trainers

All the instructors in the courses I have taken so far are experts in their subject and are excited to teach the course. They really want to foster a good learning environment. It is also clear that some instructors have more experience facilitating online courses than others, so just be patient.

You should expect to reach the instructors of an online course via e-mail, discussion boards, and even virtual chat sessions. Because face-to-face contact is eliminated, instructors should be available to answer questions via e-mail or discussion boards. Many instructors will encourage discussion board participation by counting the posting as part of the overall grade.

Tips for E-learning

Use discussion boards often

Discussion boards are a great way – and often the only way – to get to know others in the course. Especially if the courses are in a series in a program, you will meet the same classmates. Posting frequently on the discussion board will also help the instructor get to know you beyond your completed assignments. Oftentimes, discussion board participation is a part of the grade.

An exercise course for one of my courses required each student to choose a business role in a fictional company. We had to use what we learned in the course to defend why our position in the company should be salvaged and outsourced to other positions in the company. Everyone really engaged in this virtual assignment and responded to each other’s posts – especially if our position was targeted for outsourcing. Everyone had a great time completing this exercise and it was one of the most memorable things I’ve ever done.

Know your deadlines

Online classes are often asynchronous which means lectures, assignments, and tests are available to students at any time. These courses can be self-paced and students can choose when to listen to lectures and complete assignments.

Other instructors choose to give weekly assignment deadlines, although all assignments are given ahead of time. Still, other trainers choose a combination of both self-paced and time limits.

It all depends on the instructor so it is important to know the deadline for your assignments, quizzes, and tests. I’ve also encountered assignment deadlines that haven’t been updated from the previous quarter or new instructors who set vague deadlines such as week 1 (does this mean the end of the week or the beginning of the week?) If If the time frame is unclear, be sure to ask through the discussion board or by e-mailing the instructor.

Take a printout of the syllabus, supplementary material, and assignments

The virtual blackboard containing all course material will only be available during the quarter/semester or only for a short period of time thereafter, so it is important to have a record of what the course covers. Downloading the lectures and material to your computer will also serve as a record of what you have completed in the course. You can create a portfolio out of your completed assignments.

Type your work on the word processing program

That way, even after the class is over, you get the fruits of your labor. I would recommend typing anything you post on the discussion board or even during a chat session. Again, keeping a record of what you did during the course is important as it can come in handy when you are preparing for a job interview or building your portfolio.

Learn How Students Can Take Advantage Of Online Education

Technology has grown into a force over the years; It seems you can learn anything online. Before you could do basic things like shop or get directions, and now you can literally go to school online from the comfort of your living room. Education websites spread the Internet and attract people of all ages; Anyone can take advantage of this new change in technology. Evaluating the pros and cons of education websites will help you see which options are right for you.

The obvious advantages to education websites are the flexibility and multitude of options at your fingertips. There are thousands of websites and programs to choose from, making it easy to find the right school to suit your student’s needs. The flexibility of education websites to complement the traditional classroom or replace it entirely gives families more educational options. High school students are choosing educational websites because they provide more efficient use of time, personalized instruction, immediate feedback, and access to unlimited learning support.

Another important factor in choosing online schooling is the diversity of peers; Depending on what online school families choose, students can connect with people from all over the world. Networking with people from a variety of cultural perspectives puts learning in a global perspective.

Individual pacing is another plus for many students, digging really deep into their interests, sidestepping what they already know, and receiving massive learning support in real-time. In many brick-and-mortar schools, students are laid off at the same pace as everyone else, making it more difficult to efficiently diversify and personalize learning. Education websites allow students to take as many or as few classes as they want at once and have lots of resources and learning aids to use.

By participating online, students and families can really save money. Brick-and-mortar schools typically charge a bevy of annual student fees, not to mention the cost of social and athletic activities and the astronomical senior year cost. There are also significant savings in transporting mom and dad’s cars, their own cars, or even for students traveling to and from school via public transportation.

Parents can access educational websites like Artifacts Teach and have instant access to thousands of items online to engage student curiosities, provide in-depth learning in core content areas, and develop valuable critical thinking skills. They have the power to enhance and expand student learning while offering a bridge between prior knowledge and new information.

Not all educational websites are designed to replace the school. In many cases, they can be used to deepen an understanding of classroom material. They offer students extended exploration in areas of interest. These websites provide space for a longer engagement, thereby improving the retention of learning.