There are many well-documented benefits to earning an education online. Not only does it afford the student more free time to complete other tasks, it can save a great deal of money as well. There are many benefits to being an online student, with only a few drawbacks.
The variety of courses to be taken online is very extensive for most universities. Many institutions have fully embraced the online programs that have become so popular. Despite the fact that not all degree programs are able to be completed online, many such degrees still offer a fair number of online courses that can be completed along with in-class lectures.
Cost is another issue that differentiates traditional courses from online ones. The common, run-of-the-mill college experience will typically include tuition, whatever various fees are charged, housing, books and materials, and other costs that are incurred by the student. For online courses the only pertinent costs are tuition, fees, and books and materials. Online students generally only worry over the cost of living.
One of the most notable benefits of online learning is the freedom in which a student is allowed to learn. Online learning is taken mostly at the pace of the student, who, after receiving their schedule, will be responsible for the time they put into their education. Traditional courses require lab time and lecture time, and are typically unforgiving if a student is not present. The only drawback in this case is that the online student must be disciplined enough to complete their assignments and study on their own time.
In this manner online students can fit their studies into their workday if necessary, and do not have to worry about traffic while attempting to get to class, or the search for a parking spot once reaching campus. Even taking the bus is a hassle for traditional students much of the time, as class times are often strict and unyielding. For the online student all that is required is time to study and, if necessary, a working internet connection should they take their studies with them via laptop or other device.
Along with the freedom and capability of continuing one's education online while still keeping a part-time or full-time job, online learning also offers another benefit. In a modern world that is dominated by computers of all shapes, sizes, and levels of difficulty, it is necessary to possess at least moderate skill with many devices. Even the simplest online courses often require the student to have knowledge of how to access several different sites online. If they don't already have such knowledge, then students are encouraged to learn. Online learning can improve upon any existing technical skills, or otherwise help said skills to develop.
Online learning has become a common method used by millions upon millions of students throughout the USA and worldwide. As a learning tool it has gained great respect in the past two decades. With the advantages it brings there is no doubt that it will continue for many years to come.