online education advantage and disadvantage essay

The pros and cons of online learning

What to look for in an online course.

By: MIT xPRO

If you’re at a point in your life where you’re considering continuing your education, you may wonder if online learning is the right path for you.

Taking an online course requires a notable investment of time, effort, and money, so it’s important to feel confident about your decision before moving forward. While online learning works incredibly well for some people, it’s not for everyone.

We recently sat down with MIT xPRO Senior Instructional Designer and Program Manager Luke Hobson to explore the pros and cons of online learning and what to look for in an online course. If you’re waiting for a sign about whether or not to enroll in that course you’ve been eying, you just might find it here.

Pros of Online Learning

First, let’s take a look at the true value of online learning by examining some of the benefits:

1. Flexibility

Online learning’s most significant advantage is its flexibility. It’s the reason millions of adults have chosen to continue their education and pursue certificates and degrees.

Asynchronous courses allow learners to complete work at their own pace, empowering them to find the optimal time to consume the content and submit assignments.

Some people are more attentive, focused, and creative in the mornings compared to the evenings and vice versa. Whatever works best for the learners should be the priority of the learning experience.

2. Community

When Luke asks people about their main reason for enrolling in a course, a common answer is networking and community.

Learners crave finding like-minded individuals who are going through the same experiences and have the same questions. They want to find a place where they belong. Being in the company of others who understand what they’re going through can help online learners who are looking for support and motivation during challenging times and times that are worth celebrating.

Some learners have created study groups and book clubs that have carried on far beyond the end of the course-it’s amazing what can grow from a single post on a discussion board!

3. Latest information

“Speed is a massive benefit of online learning,” and according to Luke, it often doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

“When we say speed, we don’t mean being quick with learning. We mean actual speed to market. There are so many new ideas evolving within technical spaces that it’s impossible to keep courses the way they were originally designed for a long period of time.”

Luke notes that a program on Additive Manufacturing , Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality , or Nanotechnology must be checked and updated frequently. More formal learning modalities have difficulty changing content at this rapid pace. But within the online space, it’s expected that the course content will change as quickly as the world itself does.

Cons of Online Learning

Now that we’ve looked at some of the biggest pros of online learning, let’s examine a few of the drawbacks:

1. Learning environment

While many learners thrive in an asynchronous learning environment, others struggle. Some learners prefer live lessons and an instructor they can connect with multiple times a week. They need these interactions to feel supported and to persist.

Most learners within the online space identify themselves as self-directed learners, meaning they can learn on their own with the right environment, guidance, materials, and assignments. Learners should know themselves first and understand their preferences when it comes to what kind of environment will help them thrive.

2. Repetition

One drawback of online courses is that the structure can be repetitive: do a reading, respond to two discussion posts, submit an essay, repeat. After a while, some learners may feel disengaged from the learning experience.

There are online courses that break the mold and offer multiple kinds of learning activities, assessments, and content to make the learning experience come alive, but it may take some research to find them-more on what to look for in an online course later in this article! Luke and his colleagues at MIT xPRO are mindful of designing courses that genuinely engage learners from beginning to end.

3. Underestimation

Luke has noticed that some learners underestimate how much work is required in an online course. They may mistakenly believe that online learning is somehow “easier” compared to in-person learning.

For those learners who miscalculate how long they will need to spend online or how challenging the assignments can be, changing that mindset is a difficult process. It’s essential to set aside the right amount of time per week to contribute to the content, activities, and assignments. Creating personal deadlines and building a study routine are two best practices that successful online learners follow to hold themselves accountable.

Experience the Value of Online Learning: What to Look For in an Online Course

You’ve probably gathered by now that not all online courses are created equal. On one end of the spectrum, there are methods of online learning that leave learners stunned by what a great experience they had. On the other end of the spectrum, some online learning courses are so disappointing that learners regret their decision to enroll.

If you want to experience the value of online learning, it’s essential to pick the right course. Here’s a quick list of what to look for:

Feedback and connection to peers within the course platform. Interacting regularly with other learners makes a big difference. Luke and the MIT xPRO team use peer-reviewed feedback to give learners the opportunity to engage with each other’s work.
Proof of hard work. In the online learning space, proof of hard work often comes in the form of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or specific certifications. MIT xPRO course participants who successfully complete one or more courses are eligible to receive CEUs , which many employers, licensing agencies, and professional associations accept as evidence of a participant’s serious commitment to their professional development.

Online learning isn’t for everyone, but with the right approach, it can be a valuable experience for many people. Now that you know what to look for in an online course, see what Luke and the MIT xPRO instructional design team have to offer by checking out the latest MIT xPRO courses and programs .

Originally published at http://curve.mit.edu on August 8th, 2022.

The pros and cons of online learning was originally published in MIT Open Learning on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

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online education advantage and disadvantage essay

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Essay On Online Education: In 100 Words, 150 Words, and 200 Words

Updated on
Apr 26, 2024

Online education has emerged as a significant transformation in the global education landscape, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic . This essay explores the various facets of online education, from its inception to its advantages and disadvantages and its impact on learners and educators alike. The evolution of online education presents a new horizon for accessible and flexible learning .

Table of Contents

1 Essay on Online Education in 100 words
2 Essay on Online Education in 150 words
3 Essay on Online Education in 200 words
4 Short Essay on Online Education

Essay on Online Education in 100 words

Online education is a modern educational paradigm where students access instructional content through the internet. This innovative approach has gained immense popularity, especially after the pandemic, owing to its convenience and adaptability. It has enabled students of all ages to acquire knowledge from the comfort of their homes, transcending geographical barriers. Online education offers a diverse range of courses and resources, fostering continuous learning. However, it also presents challenges, such as dependency on technology and potential disengagement from the physical world.

Also Read: The Beginner’s Guide to Writing an Essay

Essay on Online Education in 150 words

Online education marks a revolutionary shift in how we acquire knowledge. It harnesses the power of the internet to deliver educational content to students, making learning more flexible and accessible. Technology advancements have accelerated the development of online education, enabling educational institutions to provide a wide range of courses and programmes through digital platforms.

One of the primary advantages of online education is its ability to cater to a diverse audience, regardless of geographical location or physical limitations. It eliminates the need for commuting and offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional classroom learning. However, online education also comes with its challenges. It requires self-discipline and motivation as students often learn independently. Additionally, prolonged screen time can have adverse effects on students’ physical and mental well-being, potentially leading to social disconnection.

Essay on Online Education in 200 words

Online education has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with the internet serving as the conduit for delivering educational content. This transformation has been accelerated, particularly in response to the global pandemic. Online education transcends the boundaries of traditional learning, offering students the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills from anywhere in the world.

One of the most compelling aspects of online education is its flexibility. Learners can access course materials and engage with instructors at their convenience, breaking free from rigid schedules. Moreover, this mode of education has expanded access to a vast array of courses, allowing individuals to pursue their interests and career goals without geographical constraints.

However, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges associated with online education. It demands a high degree of self-discipline, as students must navigate the coursework independently. Prolonged screen time can have adverse effects on health and may lead to a sense of disconnection from society.

In conclusion, online education represents a significant shift in how we approach learning. It offers unprecedented access and flexibility but also requires learners to adapt to a more self-directed approach to education. Striking a balance between the benefits and challenges of online education is key to harnessing its full potential.

Also Read: Essay on Fire Safety in 200 and 500+ words in English for Students

Short Essay on Online Education

Find a sample essay on online education below:

An organised argument backed up by proof and examples is the key to writing a convincing essay. Create a clear thesis statement at the outset, follow a logical progression of points, and then summarise your main points.

To improve readability, use clear and concise language, break your essay into paragraphs with clear topic sentences, and vary your sentence structure.

If you’re struggling to meet the word count, review your content to see if you can expand on your ideas, provide more examples, or include additional details to support your arguments. Additionally, check for any redundancies or irrelevant information that can be removed.

Manasvi Kotwal

Manasvi's flair in writing abilities is derived from her past experience of working with bootstrap start-ups, Advertisement and PR agencies as well as freelancing. She's currently working as a Content Marketing Associate at Leverage Edu to be a part of its thriving ecosystem.

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Essay Sample on Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Education

Due to the pandemic covid 19, a lot of students all around the world have to convert into online learning. Some people find it more effective to study online while some people disagree with this statement. In my point of view, online learning has its own positive and negative aspects. Some of the most significant advantages and disadvantages of online education will be mentioned in the following essay.

Having an online course can bring numerable numerous benefits.To begin with, online classes can cut down major expenses which can help the students who have low economic situations lessen their burden. Therefore, they can focus more on their studies and have better performance. Moreover, learning online also creates a comfortable environment and flexible schedule.( By having the comfort of their own home, students can study more effectively.) -> The more comfort of their own home, the more effective learning they get. It also allows students to learn with their suitable self-paced. Furthermore, a flexible schedule can help them to balance work, life and school. Therefore, they can learn how to manage time budgets as well, which is really essential for their future life. Besides that in order to have a smooth online lesson or to finish all the assignments online, students will have to learn a lot of IT skills and in this technology era, technical skills are always required.

However, studying online also has multiple limitations and drawbacks. While learning online students may feel unable to focus on the screen. By feeling too comfortable due to the fact that they are at home, students will easily tune out. Students will be capable of being distracted by various factors such as their smartphone, loud noise or even because of themselves. In addition, an online lecture also can be interrupted by different reasons like unstable internet connection, or worse is power cut. This These occurrences will disturb the learning process of the students and bring countless disastrous consequences to their future. Last but not least, isolation is an unavoidable element when you study online of online study . Since students do not have a chance to interact with other people, they perhaps lose their competent to communicate. Additionally, it will cut down the interactions between students and teachers as well.

In the century that people are more and more far apart from each other, and studying online even makes it worse. It raises a red flag for all the people worldwide. Personally, schools are always the most suitable environment to study. I hope that the pandemic will soon end so the students have a chance to go back to school.

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Argumentative Essay: Online Learning and Educational Access

Conventional learning is evolving with the help of computers and online technology. New ways of learning are now available, and improved access is one of the most important benefits available. People all around the world are experiencing improved mobility as a result of the freedom and potential that online learning provides, and as academic institutions and learning organisations adopt online learning technologies and remote-access learning, formal academic education is becoming increasingly legitimate. This essay argues the contemporary benefits of online learning, and that these benefits significantly outweigh the issues, challenges and disadvantages of online learning.

Online learning is giving people new choices and newfound flexibility with their personal learning and development. Whereas before, formal academic qualifications could only be gained by participating in a full time course on site, the internet has allowed institutions to expand their reach and offer recognized courses on a contact-partial, or totally virtual, basis. Institutions can do so with relatively few extra resources, and for paid courses this constitutes excellent value, and the student benefits with greater educational access and greater flexibility to learn and get qualified even when there lots of other personal commitments to deal with.

Flexibility is certainly one of the most important benefits, but just as important is educational access. On top of the internet’s widespread presence in developed countries, the internet is becoming increasingly available in newly developed and developing countries. Even without considering the general informational exposure that the internet delivers, online academic courses and learning initiatives are becoming more aware of the needs of people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and this means that people from such backgrounds are in a much better position to learn and progress than they used to be.

The biggest argument that raises doubt over online learning is the quality of online courses in comparison to conventional courses. Are such online courses good enough for employers to take notice? The second biggest argument is the current reality that faces many people from disadvantaged backgrounds, despite the improvements made in this area in recent years – they do not have the level of basic access needed to benefit from online learning. In fact, there are numerous sources of evidence that claim disadvantaged students are not receiving anywhere near the sort of benefits that online learning institutions and promoters are trying to instigate. Currently there are many organisations, campaigns and initiatives that are working to expand access to higher education. With such high participation, it can be argued that it is only a matter of time before the benefits are truly realised, but what about the global online infrastructure?

There is another argument that is very difficult to dispel, and that is the response of different types of students to the online learning paradigm. Evidence shows that there are certain groups of students that benefit from college distance learning much more than other groups. In essence, students must be highly motivated and highly disciplined if they are to learn effectively in their own private environment.

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The Pros and Cons of Online Learning—and What to Look For in an Online Course

By: MIT xPRO on August 8th, 2022 5 Minute Read

Print/Save as PDF

The Pros and Cons of Online Learning—and What to Look For in an Online Course

Online Education | Professional Development

If you’re at a point in your life where you’re considering continuing your education, you may wonder if online learning is the right path for you.

Pros of Online Learning

First, let’s take a look at the true value of online learning by examining some of the benefits:

1. Flexibility

Online learning’s most significant advantage is its flexibility. It’s the reason millions of adults have chosen to continue their education and pursue certificates and degrees.

Asynchronous courses allow learners to complete work at their own pace, empowering them to find the optimal time to consume the content and submit assignments.

Some people are more attentive, focused, and creative in the mornings compared to the evenings and vice versa. Whatever works best for the learners should be the priority of the learning experience.

2. Community

When Luke asks people about their main reason for enrolling in a course, a common answer is networking and community.

Some learners have created study groups and book clubs that have carried on far beyond the end of the course—it’s amazing what can grow from a single post on a discussion board!

3. Latest information

“Speed is a massive benefit of online learning,” and according to Luke, it often doesn't get the attention it deserves. “When we say speed, we don’t mean being quick with learning. We mean actual speed to market. There are so many new ideas evolving within technical spaces that it's impossible to keep courses the way they were originally designed for a long period of time.”

Cons of Online Learning

Now that we’ve looked at some of the biggest pros of online learning, let’s examine a few of the drawbacks:

1. Learning environment

2. Repetition

There are online courses that break the mold and offer multiple kinds of learning activities, assessments, and content to make the learning experience come alive, but it may take some research to find them—more on what to look for in an online course later in this article ! Luke and his colleagues at MIT xPRO are mindful of designing courses that genuinely engage learners from beginning to end.

3. Underestimation

Experience the Value of Online Learning: What to Look For in an Online Course

If you want to experience the value of online learning, it’s essential to pick the right course. Here’s a quick list of what to look for:

Reputation and expertise. With so many online courses available these days, an easy way to narrow down your options is to consider courses offered by reputable institutions. Next, learn more about the instructors teaching a course of interest. Are they well-respected experts in their field of study?
Engaging curriculum. It takes a variety of learning methods to keep people engaged and interested in learning. Many online courses stick to a standard selection of readings, videos, and quizzes. Look for courses that include practice questions, reflection questions, group-based work, simulations, polls, discussions, and other interactive or hands-on activities.
Flexibility in content delivery and deadlines. Whether an online course is fully asynchronous or not, flexibility is a green flag. In practice, this could look like having all the assignments due at the end of the course so that learners can create their own schedules or providing suggested deadlines that aren’t set in stone.
Feedback and connection to peers within the course platform. Interacting regularly with other learners makes a big difference. Luke and the MIT xPRO team use peer-reviewed feedback to give learners the opportunity to engage with each other’s work.
Proof of hard work . In the online learning space, proof of hard work often comes in the form of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or specific certifications. MIT xPRO course participants who successfully complete one or more courses are eligible to receive CEUs , which many employers, licensing agencies, and professional associations accept as evidence of a participant’s serious commitment to their professional development.

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The advantages and disadvantages of online education

dans

If you’re seeking an edge on your competitors, additional education is ideal to hone your skills and make connections. Here’s an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of online education.

Shifting perspectives in a fast-changing world

The recent changes in our society have forced us to reimagine some of our most basic, day-to-day tasks. Jobs that were once always done in person are now being performed online; we forego the crowding of supermarkets and restaurants for the safety of delivery and homemade cooking, and face-to-face conversations have been relegated to our phones and computers. We are forced to reflect upon our own communities, even as we are unable to see them.

Online education , once considered a niche area, is now becoming a much more appealing option for university and post-graduate students around the world.

Online education programmes are particularly suited for those who:

need flexibility in their coursework
are looking to continue their current jobs
have families to look after
want an internationally recognised course without having to relocate
wish to travel while continuing to train in their field or acquire new skills

E-learning: the new normal?

Advantages of online learning

An aspect often overlooked by many online courses is that of developing relationships between the students and professors, experts, other students, etc. Collaboration and community are an essential part of the learning process. A solid, defined community within an online course gives students access to:

Structured opportunities to work with other students , and experiment with various projects
Significant improvements in collaboration skills, especially in the context of an international cohort and using online tools
The ability to have one-on-one discussions with teachers , in order to better understand and explore subjects
Relief from stress caused by technical issues or administrative procedures by having someone available to help
Engagement and idea exchanges with other students on topics such as how to juggle timetables with work and family, searching for career opportunities, and progress support throughout the course.

Other pros of online education are the following:

Online education provides high-quality programmes while remaining cheaper. A high-quality online programme is able to maintain the most impactful elements of in-person programmes and offer them in its online instruction. This does not mean a simple transference of coursework; quality programmes utilize state-of-the-art tools and techniques to create unique material specific to online learners. A face-to-face programme is much more expensive than its online equivalent, due to associated costs and money spent on commuting.
Online learning is more flexible and convenient . Indeed, you have the opportunity to learn at (almost) any time, at your own pace and anywhere you want.
Distance education can improve your career prospects. Even while working full-time, you can enroll and complete an online programme that can further your career prospects.
Distance learning can improve your technical skills – To complete an online course, you need to know something about computers because you have to navigate various learning management systems (LMS) and different other programs. The computer skills you learn to finish your online course helps you in all your future endeavor.

4 hidden advantages of online learning

Main disadvantages of online education

While the concept of online learning is a great choice for many, some online programmes can be prone to common downfalls :

Some online courses are solitary. For instance, MOOCs don’t provide the same level of connection and collaboration as in-person courses would. Interaction is usually not a real-time process. Unless direct messaging is enabled, questions for the teacher must be submitted online, with answers typically received later. In a classroom setting, students can interact with teachers more spontaneously.
Online education often involves a bigger workload – Since institutions that offer online courses know they cannot monitor their students effectively, they assign more tasks and assignments. This can be a serious problem for students pursuing a degree while working full-time.
Access to comprehensive materials and support can be difficult. When online courses are particularly static, all of the material is uploaded onto a single server for the student’s open access, without interactions with real humans. This can be problematic for those of us who need live clarification, technical support, or real-time adjustments.
Online education requires self-discipline – When you are in a classroom, you are expected to follow rules and regulations – which instills a sense of discipline. Without the structure of a physical classroom and class schedule, it can be easy to lose focus and not devote the necessary time to course work.

Although there are online schools which are able to address these issues, it’s important to thoroughly review an online programme’s content to determine whether or not it’s at risk of these downfalls.

How EDHEC Online creates support and community

EDHEC’s online programmes are unique in that they are industry leaders in computer-based learning. Coursework is designed with maximum flexibility in mind. Expert professors who teach in-person at our world-renowned international school also teach online and are actively involved in designing courses that are specifically tailored to online learning.

Direct coaching is integrated into all of our courses, with professional coachs for career guidance, academic mentors available for direct contact on Slack, and admin and IT help desks specifically assigned to address the technical and logistical needs of online students.

EDHEC programmes also implement small, consistent workgroups to allow students to foster close working relationships with each other. All students, from the moment they register, are instantly integrated into the alumni network .

There are certainly online learning disadvantages to be aware of when pursuing an executive education online. An excellent programme, however, can avoid common problems with online learning and soar above and beyond expectations.

Embrace online learning!

Join the EDHEC community by enrolling in one of our online programmes .

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What We’re Learning About Online Learning

As virtual classrooms and online learning proliferate, researchers are working to quantify what works and what doesn’t.

By Benedict Carey

Over four days in mid-March, Cindy Hansen, an 11th grade English teacher at Timpanogos High School in Orem, Utah, had to go fully virtual, and took her class of some 30 students reading “The Great Gatsby” online.

Ms. Hansen had no experience with virtual courses and, like teachers around the country, had to experiment. She decided to upload video lessons — presenting the text of “Gatsby” along with a small window in the corner of the screen, in which she read aloud key passages and assigned essays.

The transition seemed to be proceeding smoothly until, after several lessons, she received a note from a student who rarely spoke up in class.

“He’s one of my sweetest students, and he wrote, ‘Ms. Hansen, those videos are glitchy — I can’t really see the text,’” she said in a phone interview. “I had just assumed they were fine. Well, they were horrible, and the poor kid felt frustrated. I’m glad he said something.” She quickly fixed the problem, she said, by reshooting the videos directly on the teaching site instead of uploading them.

After this spring’s on-the-fly experiment in online classes, teachers and school districts across the country are preparing for what will be anything but a normal fall semester. Some districts stumbled in the transition, with classes zoom-bombed and interrupted ; many strained to address serious inequities in access to computers . Recent research finds that most students fell months behind during the last term of the year, with the heaviest impact on low-income students.

Other schools, like Timpanogos, transitioned with less disruption, in part by mobilizing facilitators, coaches and other staff members to support both teachers and students who were in danger of logging off and checking out, according to a report by researchers.

Now, most districts are facing a future in which online courses will likely be part of the curriculum, whether that entails students returning in shifts or classrooms remaining closed because of local outbreaks. And underlying that adjustment is a more fundamental question: How efficiently do students learn using virtual lessons?

“What we’re finding in the research thus far is it’s generally harder to keep students engaged with virtual lessons,” no matter the content, said Jered Borup, an associate professor in learning technologies at George Mason University. “Over all, though, that is not the distinguishing feature here. Rather, it’s what supports the student has when learning virtually. That makes all the difference.”

Research comparing in-person to online learning comes from many disciplines and does not benefit from the kinds of controls that scientists prefer; courses, teachers, students and class composition vary too much to make comparisons easily.

Physical presence matters, in ways that are not captured by the scientific method. “Look, I did fine in Ms. Hansen’s class — I just bought the audiobooks and read ‘Gatsby’ on my own,” one student, Ethan Avery, said in a phone interview. “But in some other classes. … I’m personally a terrible procrastinator, and not having that physical reminder, sitting in class and the teachers grilling me, ‘Ethan, this is due Friday,’ I fell behind. That was the rough part.”

The two most authoritative reviews of the research to date, examining the results of nearly 300 studies, come to a similar conclusion. Students tend to learn less efficiently than usual in online courses, as a rule, and depending on the course. But if they have a facilitator or mentor on hand, someone to help with the technology and focus their attention — an approach sometimes called blended learning — they perform about as well in many virtual classes, and sometimes better.

One state that has applied this approach broadly, for nearly two decades, is Michigan. A state-supported nonprofit institute called Michigan Virtual offers scores of online courses, in languages, the sciences, history and professional development. It also offers 23 virtual advanced placement (A.P.) courses, for college credit.

“We find that if students have support and a schedule — they do the lesson every weekday at 9 a.m., for instance — they tend to do better than just tuning in here and there,” said Joe Freidhoff, vice president of Michigan Virtual. “The mantra of online learning is, ‘Your own time, your own pace, your own path.’ In fact, each of these factors matter greatly, and some structure seems to help.”

In 2012, the institute added a research arm, to track the progress of its students. In the 2018-19 school year, more than 120,000 students took at least one of its virtual courses; the vast majority of students were in high school. The pass rate was 50 percent for those living below the state’s poverty line, and 70 percent for those living above it, averages roughly in line with the public high schools.

The story was different for Michigan Virtual’s A.P. students. In the 2018-19 academic year, 807 students took least one of its virtual A.P. classes. The final exams are graded on a scale from 1 to 5, with scores of 3 or above having a chance to earn college credit. The virtual learners’ overall average score was 3.21, compared to 3.04 among Michigan peers who took the course in a classroom. The national average on those same tests was 2.89.

“On these exams, our students consistently exceed state and national averages,” Dr. Freidhoff said. “Of course, being A.P. students, they tend to be very self-directed, motivated students.”

In its scramble to shift courses online in mid-March, the Timpanogos district put facilitators in place, both for teachers who needed them and to check in on some students. It lent Chromebooks to every student that did not have a computer at home. And it implemented a policy that, by all accounts, took pressure off the sudden transition: Students could opt for a “P” for pass, if struggling with a virtual class, without taking a hit to their G.P.A.

“It was a little overwhelming at first,” said Briley Andersen, another of Ms. Hansen’s students. “My physics and computer science classes were taking almost all my time, so I ended up taking a P in those.” She added, “As long as there’s good communication with a teacher, you get the hang of it. If not, it takes too long to figure out what you’re supposed to do.”

Michelle Jensen, who is employed by the district as a learning coach, provided guidance to teachers — including Ms. Hansen — and to students when possible. “The rationale was, do no harm,” she said. “These students are going to have 13 years of education, at least, and our approach to this one term was, help them learn how to make this adjustment.”

In a review of Timpanogos’s transition, a research team led by Dr. Borup and Ms. Jensen found that it was largely the nondigital measures that mattered most. Teachers offered virtual office hours to students, and contacted them when activity fell off. When those interventions weren’t effective, counselors worked with the family.

The last term of the 2020 school year was, in effect, a hard lesson for much of the educational system in what virtual classes could and could not provide. The content is there, and accessible, in any well-prepared course.

But if the evidence thus far is any guide, virtual education will depend for its success on old-school principles: creative, attentive teaching and patient support from parents. As “The Great Gatsby” concludes: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”

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Benedict Carey has been a science reporter for The Times since 2004. He has also written three books, “How We Learn” about the cognitive science of learning; “Poison Most Vial” and “Island of the Unknowns,” science mysteries for middle schoolers. More about Benedict Carey

20 Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Classes

Online learning has become more accessible in the past decade as potential students discover that they can find ways to obtain a preferred degree while handling their daily obligations. It is a way that encourages post-graduate learning while staying within life and career schedules. Most accredited colleges and universities are now offering programs that make it possible to take some, if not all, of the required courses on the Internet.

Public and private institutions offer online classes more today than ever before in history. This education format is a way to reach students who may have social or economic situations that don’t allow them to enjoy the traditional on-campus learning lifestyle.

As more people have access to high-speed Internet connections, online education opportunities have continued expanding. It has become acceptable in most circles to earn a degree at any level with these opportunities, allowing students to have legitimacy and more accessibility with what they earned.

The advantages and disadvantages of online classes continue to evolve, but these are the current key points to consider if you’re thinking about becoming a student.

List of the Advantages of Online Classes

1. Online classes provide more flexibility to incorporate multiple learning styles. Although you can earn a healthy salary without going to college in some trades, many employment opportunities require an undergraduate degree or higher to obtain a position. That means it can be challenging to get through classes when your learning style might be different than what a local institution offers. Taking an online class allows you to have more control over how you retain the available information.

You can listen to music while you are writing a paper. Online classes let you interact in forums while watching television. Instead of being stuck in a stuffy classroom listening to a lecture, you have the flexibility to learn using the style that works best for your needs.

2. Your classes can fit better into your schedule. Online classes are the perfect solution for anyone who works a full-time job, has a family to raise, is housebound for some reason, or lives in a rural area. These obstacles can make it challenging to enroll in a traditional institution. As long as you have an Internet or data connection, then you can access your study materials whenever you need them. Many professors are even uploading lectures or providing texts that supplement the learning process.

If you have a busy lifestyle and want to get ahead in your career, then learning at your own pace with an online class is an intelligent way to obtain your next college or university degree.

3. It takes advantage of technology innovations. Online classes at many institutions take advantage of the technological innovations that occur every year. These changes get applied in convenient and practical ways, such as the implementation of a rolling semester. Some colleges and universities make their courses dominant from an independent standpoint, making it possible for students to complete their curriculum based on a schedule they said instead of what the professor requires.

As more degree programs become 100% online opportunities, many colleges and universities are finding that the independent and innovative approach makes it easier for modern students to achieve their goals.

4. Online classes are typically cheaper than traditional enrollment. Students that take online classes find that the cost of their college degree is usually less expensive than it would be if they took courses on campus. There are usually fewer textbook purchases to consider, travel cost reductions, and room and board considerations that can cut the cost of a college or university degree by 50% or more. That means each person who uses this opportunity can start their career with lower debt levels.

5. It teaches students how to be disciplined and responsible. If you can access the Internet, then your online course work is immediately available. That means each student must have the discipline to maintain the continuity of their schedule while keeping themselves on track for a successful outcome. The freedom that comes with classes that you take online comes with the need to have higher levels of responsibility. Students must stay organized and adhere to a workable schedule.

Putting all of your time to the completion of an online degree can backfire if you neglect the other critical areas of your life. Take advantage of the flexibility that this option provides so that you can spend some time with your family members and friends.

6. You can receive a degree from an accredited institution. A degree that you earn online from an accredited institution has the same weight in today’s career marketplace as one earned from the traditional approach. That means your credentials and applications will get taken seriously when you are ready to pursue new career opportunities. This advantage also means that you can take the credits earned to other programs, pursue graduate-level courses, or go after that doctorate degree that you’ve always wanted.

7. Online classes offer location independence. Some students may not have access to the program that best fits their needs. It might be across town from them, in another state, or even on the other side of the world. The availability of online classes makes it possible for students to participate in and graduate from their preferred program with less difficulty. These programs do not generally have the same geographic restrictions that you’d find with a traditional institution.

Since moving isn’t an option for many of today’s students, especially adult learners who have career and family responsibilities, online classes allow each person to enroll in the program that’s right for them regardless of where they live.

8. It provides students with real-life career preparation opportunities. When students go to college, then it can feel like you’re living in a bubble. You receive the necessary and valuable information that will let you establish a career one day, but it is not always easy to start developing the practical skills necessary to become good at your future job. Online classes require the same skill sets that many people use every day when working, which means you can enter a job market better prepared for what to expect.

An online class is quite similar to a desk job at almost any company. You must stay in touch through email, manage software solutions, and keep track of your time to ensure that you’re fulfilling all of your obligations. You get tasked with remote work while still engaging with a team to complete projects before a deadline.

9. You form social connections with your classmates. Although it is more difficult to make social connections with an online class, it isn’t an impossible circumstance. Today’s technology makes it possible to form relationships that go beyond sitting behind a computer. Your digital classmates could organize a group video hangout, facilitate conversations, and even do icebreakers that help everyone get to know each other better.

It may not be exactly the same as a face-to-face connection, but technology makes it very close. Video calls and other tools can help you to see each other even if you live on the other side of the planet.

10. It eliminates the need for verbal expression in a classroom environment. Many online students find that it is easier for them to express their opinions in this structure because there isn’t a public speaking component to the education process. You don’t need to worry about a professor calling you up to the front of the classroom to explain a concept or create a diagram. You can express yourself through writing instead, which means if something can get fixed if it doesn’t sound right in the first draft.

This advantage often leads to high-quality dialogs where each learner can carefully reflect the quality of their thinking on each comment, chapter, or project. Then you can move on to the next one whenever you feel like you’re ready.

11. Online classes create more opportunities for a varied learning experience. An online course makes it easier to include guest experts or past students in the classroom environment. Even people from other institutions can get involved in the conversations that take place to facilitate the learning process. Students can receive exposure to a worldwide perspective in their preferred subject instead of being limited to the local point of view. That means the experience has more value to potential employers in the future.

List of the Disadvantages of Online Classes

1. It can take longer to earn a degree when using online classes. If a student is not thoroughly committed to earning their degree, then it can take several years for that person to complete their online classes. Everything that the course requires is up to you. That means you must complete your assignments, read the required materials, interact with your professor, talk with your peers, and take exams according to the rules presented upon enrollment. It can be tempting to ignore your obligations when there isn’t a direct line of accountability as there is when you attend a physical classroom.

2. Some of your required course work might require in-person activities. If you are taking online classes, then there may be some stipulations where you must attend classes or take tests in a proctored environment. If a third-party observer is necessary, then it is up to each student to find an organization that will monitor this process. That means the cost of your classes each semester will go up based on the number of exams you must take.

Some institutions will even require a specific amount of on-campus time before they will award a degree. This requirement can last anywhere from two weeks to two months for U.S.-based colleges and universities.

3. You still need to take the time to fulfill your classroom requirements. Online classes can help students save a lot of time on their learning obligations, but the structure will not eliminate the need to put in some work. If you do not have a lot of free time during the day, then it may be impossible to fulfill the obligations of your enrollment. That’s why the flexibility of this arrangement can be an advantage since you only need to take one class at a time – but that can still be problematic for some people.

It is possible to avoid some of this disadvantage by taking independent learning courses online. When you can complete the work at your own pace, then the pressure of deadlines can disappear. You must still have trust in the program and remain dedicated to a result to turn this education opportunity into a real investment for you.

4. Online classes don’t provide the same face-to-face connections. Colleges and universities provide numerous opportunities for in-person social networking. When you can have face-to-face conversations with your professors and peers, then it can enhance the educational foundations that you receive. Networking functions can serve as essential connections for future career opportunities. The structure of online classes negates many of those potential advantages.

Even though you might have an institution that focuses on small class sizes and curriculum requirements that mandate interaction, a forum conversation or online chat isn’t the same as sharing coffee or lunch with someone.

5. Some online institutions don’t have full accreditation. You must verify that the college or university providing the online classes you want has full accreditation. Many facilities are not accredited even with the expansion of Internet access. That means your degree and qualifications might not receive the recognition you expect from potential employers. It may not receive serious consideration from other professionals in your preferred industry. This disadvantage also means that any credits earned might not be transferable to another institution.

The outcome of this disadvantage can be a costly mistake in terms of time and money. You’ll want to make sure to verify the specific accreditation of any school you’re considering before you even turn in an application.

6. You must have access to the Internet to complete your work. Online classes require you to have access to the Internet so that you can complete your assignments on time. If you don’t have the equipment at home to do the work or a connection that is fast enough to handle your course work, then it may be challenging to have a successful experience with this learning option. You’ll need a computer or tablet PC, a home-based ISP, and any peripherals necessary for your degree program.

Some public libraries and other institutions may offer computer access, but it may come with limited time or additional costs. You would also need to access that equipment during their regular working hours, which may not be possible with your specific schedule.

7. Many online classes require students to complete more work. The average online course in the United States requires a greater amount of reading and student interaction than a traditional class. Students must prove remotely that they have mastery over the material in question, which means your curriculum will involve a lot of independent study and Internet-based group work. Although the average amount of time one needs to dedicate to their course work is about 10 hours per week for each class, it is not unusual for individual courses at accredited colleges and universities to require 15-20 hours per week of work.

8. Technology scheduling issues can limit learning opportunities. Students must ensure that their computer is updated frequently with the latest operating system and software components to facilitate their learning. Some people may need to learn new or enhanced troubleshooting skills to manage their boot-up time, Internet connection, or software platforms that a professor requires. If you are a person who considers themselves to be technically challenged, then the tasks of this disadvantage could be a significant barrier to your current and future learning opportunities.

9. Time variations could be problematic for some students. Students who take online classes must plan and adjust their schedules to meet the deadlines set by their professors. American institutions often base deadlines on the time zone of the institution, so a West Coast student would need to account for the three-hour difference for an East Coast deadline. If international students are taking online courses, then this disadvantage could be significant.

This issue becomes problematic for students with opposite schedules. If you study at night and your partner works during the day, then there will be significant lag time between each response.

If you have a hectic schedule or zero access to a college or university, then online classes are a way to pursue your academic goals. It only requires Internet access or a data connection, and then you can begin fulfilling the requirements of your course work. The modern structure of this learning opportunity does an excellent job of simulating the traditional classroom experience.

This option may not be a first-choice selection for someone who struggles with their organization or focus. If you’re already putting in 40 hours each week with your job, then it may be unreasonable to put in another 20-40 hours after you get home to fulfill your learning obligations.

These advantages and disadvantages of online classes must receive individualized consideration. If you live at home full-time and want a self-directed education, then this innovation can be a positive experience. When you prefer social interactions and a traditional classroom, then it may not be the best choice to pursue.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Classes

Want to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of online classes ?

In recent years, online learning has become increasingly popular. However, despite its benefits, it also has disadvantages.

This article will dive into the pros and cons of online classes and will explore the benefits of online education and its challenges, especially for working professionals.

By considering both the advantages and disadvantages of online learning, you’ll be able to make a better decision regarding your studies.

Advantages of Online Classes

Online education gets a lot of hype, but what exactly are the advantages offered by online classes? Let’s unpack the major benefits online studies offer, so you can see for yourself if they offer something for your specific needs .

Flexibility

One of the main benefits of online learning is the flexibility they provide, allowing students to set their own schedules.

This flexibility includes the ability to attend classes from anywhere and to fit classes into a busy schedule.

At IU International University of Applied Sciences, we take this one step further by also offering flexible exams.

Convenience

Online classes can also be beneficial for students from remote areas, without access to campuses.

The advantages of online education in terms of convenience also include the ability to access lectures online, to communicate with professors via e-mail, and access to online platforms and tools that can upgrade your learning experience .

Cost-Effectiveness

Another advantage of online education is its tendency be more cost-effective than traditional on-campus classes. Online classes often have lower tuition fees , and students don’t need to spend money on location-related expenses.

pros of online learning in terms of cost-effectiveness also include the potential to save money on textbooks and avoid relocation costs.

Access to a wider range of programmes and course offerings

Online classes also provide access to a wider range of programmes and course offerings, thanks to the ability to reach more students without the high costs of maintaining physical classrooms.

Many universities and colleges now offer a wide range of online degree programmes, including Bachelor’s and Master's degrees, in a variety of fields.

At IU, we offer a wide range of cutting-edge tech and business Bachelor's and Master’s programmes, including specialised MBA degrees. This lets you choose a programme that matches your career ambitions.

The ability to learn at your own pace

Lastly, another advantage of online education is the ability to learn at your own pace . Every student has their own pace of studying, and this is where the advantages of distance learning really come into play.

Online classes give you the ability to set your own pace, review material as needed and move through the coursework in a way that suits your learning style.

Learning at your own pace lets you have ultimate control over your learning process, so it really is one of the biggest benefits of online classes.

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Disadvantages of online classes

When choosing the right type of studies for you, it's important to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of online education, as the nature of online learning can be quite different than that of traditional on-campus studies.

Lack of face-to-face interaction

One of the major disadvantages of online education can be the lack of physical interaction, which can make it more challenging for you to communicate with your fellow students and tutors.

That can make it more difficult for you to create a sense of community, which can be an important factor in your ability to make the most out of your studies.

To answer this challenge, some online universities offer a strong online community to support you throughout your studies .

Difficulty staying motivated

Another drawback of online education is the difficulty in maintaining focus when you study on your won. Online education is often done independently , which can make it more challenging to navigate, stay engaged and be motivated.

Before choosing to study online, it’s crucial that you asses your ability to stick to your plan, be consistent and work hard towards your goals.

If you choose to study at IU, our study coaches will offer you guidance and support on ways to keep you motivated and on track.

Limited access to resources and support

When considering the pros and cons of online learning, it’s important to keep in mind that online education sometimes offers limited access to resources and support compared to traditional on-campus classes.

This is why, when choosing an online university, it’s important to choose the right one for you – a university that offers direct access to all the resources and support you might need.

Technical difficulties

When studying online, you’re dependent on access to the internet. Technical difficulties such as internet connectivity issues, software compatibility issues, or issues with your laptop, can hinder your ability to access classes.

One possible solution? At IU, students can access pre-recorded tutorials and study materials from any device, even when they’re offline, by downloading them directly.

It requires prior planning, but it’s one way to ensure that technical difficulties don’t derail your studies.

Another possible disadvantage to consider is that online education can lead to feelings of isolation, as students are not physically present in a classroom and may not have the same opportunities to interact with other students and form social connections.

It’s important to keep this in mind and prepare for it accordingly , but as the pandemic has taught us, there are ways to stay connected with others even if you don’t meet in person.

Summary: What are the advantages and disadvantages of online classes?

Advantages of online classes for working professionals.

If you’re currently employed and looking to advance in your career by earning a degree while still working full-time, nothing beats the advantages of online education.

One of the key benefits of online learning for working adults is the flexibility it offers in terms of work and education. If you work full-time during the day, you can still take online classes in the evening.

You’ll need to make some sacrifices, sure, but you won’t have to do so when it comes to work, your studies or your family – and that’s what matters .

Online learning allows working professionals to continue working while pursuing an education, which is why it’s such a game-changer .

Advancing your career no longer means taking a break from working, and spending all your savings or taking a loan in order to afford not to work while you earn a degree.

This is one of the biggest benefits of online classes: online education gives you the opportunity to advance in your current careers while studying.

If you want to specialise or learn new skills, studying online allows you to select from a more diverse range of courses.

With online studies, working professionals can take classes at any time and from any location .

Do you have a job that requires constant traveling on business trips? Then studying online is a great option.

Advantages and disadvantages of online classes – a conclusion

The benefits of online learning, like the ability to study on your own schedule, not having to commute, and a wider range of course options, far outweigh the downsides.

Looking to further your education while still having time for work? Enrolling in classes at an online university like IU is the perfect solution .

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What are the 5 disadvantages of online classes?

The 5 disadvantages of online classes are:

Lack of face-to-face interaction
Difficulty staying motivated
Limited access to resources and support
Technical difficulties

What are the 10 advantages of online education?

The 10 advantages of online education are:

Flexibility
Convenience
Cost-effectiveness
Access to a wider range of programmes and course offerings
The ability to learn at your own pace
The flexibility to balance work and education
The ability to continue working while pursuing an education
The opportunity to advance in your current career while earning a degree
The opportunity to take classes at any time and from any location

What are the advantages of online classes?

The advantages of online classes are best summarised as the ability to study what you want, whenever you want, from anywhere. This makes them more budget-friendly and easier to manage along with the rest of your life responsibilities.

Why is online education important?

Online education is important because it makes education accessible to more people: students who work full-time, have disabilities, or lack access to on-campus universities in their area, can all study on their own terms and excel.

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Benefits of Online Learning Essay

Benefits of online learning, works cited.

In this modern era, there are many methods through which one can acquire knowledge. Among these, the most popular is online learning. It can be discerned as a method of teaching and learning through internet tools, to be in touch and have an alliance in an instructive environment. It helps the students to learn simultaneously and they can study without going to or staying in a school or college.

Many educational institutions support and engage in some kind of online education. Today, one can see that most of the people are unsatisfied with their job and so they try to acquire a better job with a high salary which leads them to a better lifestyle. People thus employed can study while doing their job with the help of the internet. The best advantage is that in this system one can study at his or her own time when the person feels comfortable. It is highly useful for professionals who may want to learn more without going to classrooms. To a great extent, it is also useful for housewives and retired people. Through this mode, one can become a well-informed individual who possesses great knowledge in his or her studies.

Online learning has many benefits for high-tech companies: As the companies use different methods to design, transport, select, manage and extend their business, etc. online teaching process is instrumental for them. They can give valuable guidance, pieces of training for their employees without the need for them to be absent for long which helps to increase their skill, and through this skill, the company can achieve their goals. Besides, through this system, they can increase the efficiencies of the employees and add value to the process of business developments. At the same time, they can also save the cost of training as online learning is comparatively much cheaper.
Online learning improves knowledge: People with good knowledge are needed in every field, especially in business. Online learning provides updated knowledge that relates to every level and this will help people at all levels develop greater knowledge in different fields. This knowledge and skill one gains from online help the person to intermingle with others in a better way, progress their profession, or develop their business successfully. It also helps to construct relationships and build up an atmosphere of trust, affection, and admiration and to be confident, and to have good and better personal and professional relationships.
Online learning provides great opportunities at various academic levels. Through this students can save money for tuition, accommodation, and food. Online learning improves their talent in computers and the internet. Online learning does not need physical movements and students are not bound by time, place, and the tutor. “People with accessibility issues are not disadvantaged on an online course – everybody is equal.” (Benefits of Online Learning). Each individual has a similar chance to talk, express ideas through chatting without any discrimination or gender partiality.

From the above-mentioned factors, one can conclude that online learning has a lot of advantages over the other modes of education and that the main objective of online learning is to provide maximum information while being very convenient for both students and teachers. Thus online learning helps to develop business with great efficient employees, assist people to develop accurate knowledge about everything and thereby attain great achievement in their life and supplies enormous chance in educational level to help the students to gain considerable development in their life. Online learning gives a desired outcome to the person than any other means of learning.

Benefits of Online Learning: No Limitations. People Open Access Education Initiative People- uni: Building Public Health Capacity Using Internet- based e-learning. 2008. Web.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning: IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic

You must write at least 250 words for IELTS Writing Task 2. You will be given a topic and evaluated on your abilities to answer by expressing and defending your viewpoint, explaining the topic, summarising facts, describing challenges, identifying potential alternatives, and illustrating what you write with explanations, claims, and specific examples from your own expertise or experience.

Today we will read about a very popular topic “Advantages and disadvantages of online learning essay”.

So, let’s get started.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Classes

Let us help you in your IELTS writing preparation with an interesting and informative topic. Read all the 3 sample answers and learn how to approach a topic in different ways.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Classes Sample Answer One for IELTS Writing Task 2

Online teaching and learning have grown in popularity among students in recent times, and this is viewed differently by different learners. Many students see this as a helpful learning tool, although others believe it is not as successful as classroom instruction. This article would explore the benefits and drawbacks of digital education.

Also Read: Importance of Art in Society: IELTS Essay Sample for IELTS Writing Task 2 Explained for Band 8

Advantages of Online Classes Essay

Students who study online have more flexibility in their schedules and spend less money on their education. They will study their desired courses and subjects at their own pace. This is a fantastic opportunity for learners to learn new skills and expand their experience while remaining in the comfort of their own home. For example, a Nepali student seeking an Australian degree in business administration does not need to travel to Australia; he can train and complete the course while remaining at home. As a result, distance learning is both cost-effective and time-efficient.

Disadvantages of Studying Online

That being said, online classes offer more emphasis on the analytical aspect of learning and there is less instructor and student contact. It ignores realistic learning elements and encourages passive learning. It is clear that students perceive it to be less successful than classroom instruction. According to a new survey, a larger percentage of students considered classroom instruction to be much more successful than digital education.

Conclusion: Merits and Demerits of Online Teaching

In conclusion, the ever-increasing availability of digital education has gained traction among young adults for many years and is viewed as helpful by many and less successful by others. The focus should be placed on its efficacy in order to identify it as the most cost-effective learning method other than classroom instruction.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Classes Sample Answer Two for IELTS Writing Task 2

Recently, the course has grown in popularity, resulting in more excellent learning options for students. While this movement may have some benefits, it may also have some risks and challenges as a result. Both sides of learning will be addressed in more detail in the following chapters. On the one hand, distance education has certain benefits. For starters, the simplicity of distance learning is essential.

Also Read: IELTS Essay in Writing Task 2: Here’s How to Organize it Well

There is no time constraint and the online classroom and teacher are (theoretically) accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As a result, students will stick to their schedules without impacting their learning outcomes.

Second, the advantage of learning is that it saves resources. Tuition at online schools is often smaller than at conventional universities. Building repairs, grounds maintenance, food service, class accessories, and other expenses that impact the cost of credits are not needed.

Learners, on the other hand, may suffer from a number of disadvantages of simulated learning. To continue, students can encounter technical issues, which can have a variety of implications.

Furthermore, some students are not equipped with the good internet access that online courses necessitate, and therefore fall behind their simulated classmates: poor monitors find it difficult to obey the course Management.

The system, as well as their learning process, becomes troublesome. Another downside to digital education is the scarcity of accreditation and the poor standard of instruction. The growing demand for digital education has resulted in an uncontrollable proliferation of colleges, including some unregulated schools, and there is no way to check the content of all courses. As a consequence, illegal organisations can con several students out of money.

Finally, online education can be helpful in terms of scheduling flexibility and reduced tuition. However, immersive learning has some drawbacks, including poor student conditions and a lack of quality control over classes.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Classes Sample Answer Three for IELTS Writing Task 2

These days, online learning is becoming increasingly popular. Many conventional colleges began to make their classes available for free. It represents a simple and convenient way to gain expertise in almost any area, from law and accounting to social sciences such as sociology, anthropology, and history. Digital education is a fantastic alternative to conventional universities, particularly for people who do not have the time or resources to attend traditional universities. So what are the benefits and drawbacks of online learning?

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While many people still believe that traditional colleges are the only way to gain expertise and obtain a diploma, digital education has proven to be an excellent option. Students should study on their own time, and particularly for free. It is an excellent way to learn a variety of subjects while still increasing self-motivation. Online learning is so successful because students can complete their assignments easily, leaving more time for hobbies or job search.

Access to all of the opportunities of a typical course allows learners to practise wherever they are, giving them the opportunity to prepare wherever they choose. An individual may attend various courses with only an Internet connection. Students’ accountability and self-discipline are among the benefits of digital learning.

Limitations of Online Learning

An individual can only learn properly in a small group. Learners learn at school how to make new friends, be polite, deal with failure, and, most importantly, compete. Competition among colleagues can be very exciting, and students can learn greatly from it. Human contact is not possible for digital learning.

Another drawback is that online classes cannot handle the thousands of students who attempt to participate in debates. Furthermore, if digital education is intended for disciplines that need preparation, it can be challenging.

Conclusion of Studying Online

Finally, digital education can be seen as a supplement to and expansion to traditional ways of learning. Even the best online course cannot completely substitute physical interaction with an instructor or the human connections formed in a group. As a result, standard classes can not be replaced by digital learning.

Any essay can be satisfactory if addressed correctly. It is critical to remember in IELTS writing that each type of essay necessitates a different approach. In the case of an ‘advantage and disadvantage’ essay, a mixture of solid structure and appropriate data is a game-changer. As a result, in order to achieve a 9 band in your exam, you must devote some time to planning and structuring your essay.

If you need more assistance on this, you can simply visit IELTS Ninja .

Also Read: How to Write Agree and Disagree Essays in IELTS? Tips to Write the Perfect Essay

One Comment

Thank you for providing the advantages and disadvantages of the online learning, but many prefer online learning over self study, what do you think about it?

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Essay on Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Study

Online study has become a trend and more schools are opting for it with each passing day; more so, in the wake of COVID-19 lockdown. I am giving below three essays of varying lengths covering the advantages and disadvantages of online study.

Short and Long Essay on Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Study in English

You should go through these to know more about all the pros and cons of the online study:

Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Study Essay 10 Lines (100 – 150 Words)

1) Online study refers to the process of gaining knowledge via the internet.

2) It is really the convenient way of studying.

3) Online study saves your precious time and money.

4) You can study online from any corner of the world.

5) Variety of courses are available while studying online.

6) In an online study a good study environment is missing.

7) Subjects that involve practical knowledge cannot be easily understood in online studies.

8) Sitting in front of electronic gadgets for a long time causes health hazards.

9) Online study lacks physical interaction between students and teachers.

10) Online study is for those students who can generate self-discipline.

Essay 1 (250 Words) – Online Study: Good or Bad for Students

Introduction

Online study is becoming popular due to its convenience and easy operation. In the essay, I have given below some advantages and disadvantages of the online study method.

The online method of study has several advantages. It is very convenient as both you and your teacher can interact from the convenience of your respective homes. You can also ask questions and raise queries as you use to do in the classroom.

The online study method becomes more important in case of a natural calamity of emergency. The perfect example in this regard is the recent COVID 19 pandemic that the world is still recovering from. To date, many schools are running online classes, for the safety of students. Online study is indeed a safer alternative to school education.

Disadvantages

Apart from numerous advantages, the online method of the study also presents certain disadvantages. It lacks the filled with enthusiasm kind of environment presented by a classroom. The lively and joyful ambience of a classroom is usually lacking in an online session. Teachers and students interact with each other only on subject matters on one by one basis.

Moreover, overexposure to gadgets presents its own health hazards like headache, weak eyesight and lack of concentration, etc.

Despite the disadvantages, the online study method proved to be beneficial in certain specific conditions. When it is not advisable to leave your home, or it isn’t convenient for you, then in that case online study becomes a blessing in disguise.

Essay 2 (400 Words) – Disadvantages of Online Study

The online system of education has both advantages and disadvantages. We will discuss the advantages in the next essay, in this essay we will concentrate only on the disadvantages. I have given below some of the main disadvantages of online study.

How Online Study is not Good for Students

Despite being advantageous in many ways, the online system of the study also has several disadvantages. Please find below some of the important disadvantages of online study.

Self-Controlled

The success of an online session depends only on your own conduct that on anything else. How keen you are on learning things will decide whether the session was beneficial or not. Your teacher might not be able to see you, so you are at your liberty. It depends on how well you control your deflections and concentrates on the session.

Depends on Honesty

This is a significant shortcoming of online study. While in the classroom you have the continuous attention of your teacher; he/she doesn’t have that liberty in an online class. He/she relies completely on how honestly the students attend the class. It isn’t possible for them to watch everyone in an online session.

Only Course Related Communication

Often an online classroom session is only to the point where the only subject matter is discussed. The usual classroom atmosphere where the teacher personally interacts and crack jokes is absent. In a classroom teacher can talk about several other things while in an online class he/she only teaches the subject.

Over Exposure to Screen

Online study requires electronic screen gadgets to conduct the classes. Students have to stare into the screens for long hours, sometimes 2 to 3 hours continuously. Such a long exposure top screen has its own impacts on health depending on individual immunity levels. However, it may cause headaches, vision issues in some people.

Limited Interaction

Though the interaction between teacher and student in an online session is uninterrupted; nevertheless, it is also limited. The teacher has to attend to the queries of other students as well, so he/she may not be in a condition to give more than a couple of minutes to each student.

Nothing is perfect; nor is the online study method. It sure has its own disadvantages; nevertheless, it can prove really advantageous in certain critical situations. For example, in the wake of the lockdown following the COVID-19 pandemic, it came as a blessing in disguise for many schools and their students.

Essay on Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Study

Essay 3 (500 – 600 Words) – How Online Study is Good for Students

Online study is a digital mode of education wherein the teacher and students interact using digital devices like laptops, smartphones, tabs, etc. This method of study has become a trend today as it is the best option in case of pandemic spread wherein it is advisable to not leave home. In wake of the COVID-19 pandemic many schools have taken up the online mode of studies and are doing fairly well.

How Online Study is Good for Students

Online mode of study has its own advantages. It is convenient and also a very cheap method of study. Given below are some of the main advantages of online study.

Online mode of study is a convenient method both for the students as well as the teachers. Both can actively participate in a knowledgeable session without even stepping out of their houses. They just need to have access to a good internet network and device to connect. You can sit comfortably in your room with the required textbooks and attend a class with your classmates.

Online study is pretty cheap that convention school education, due to a couple of reasons. Firstly, you need not to spend even a penny on your transportation to school and back; secondly, all the other miscellaneous expenses at school get reduced. Sometimes even the textbooks are also available online and are priced much lower than the hard copies. You can download one at your convenience and they all have the same content as real books. In fact, you only need to spend on the internet connection, that’s all!

There is absolutely no doubt that the online study is a safe alternative in case of a threat. It could be a blessing in disguise if it is too dangerous to step out of your house. We all are well aware of the COVID 19 pandemic that has put the entire planet under lockdown. Also, students don’t come in physical proximity with each other, thereby, reducing the possibility of disease spread. Thankfully, students are attending regular online classes and don’t have to fall back on course.

Flexibility

Online study has tremendous potential in terms of flexibility of curses and curriculums. There are some universities that provide online certificate courses in whichever subject you chose. Everything from registration to exam is carried out through online mode. Also, there is flexibility in time. If you joined a little late, you need not to worry, as the session gets recorded and you can review it anytime.

Another advantage of online education that it reduces the use of paper. The paper requirement for a digital mode of study is almost negligible as compared to a classroom system. You only need to take notes in your textbook while your teacher can do well without any paper. Moreover, online study tests are also conducted online; thereby, reducing the possibility of paper use.

Overcome Hesitation

Online study has much better student-teacher interaction than in the case of a classroom environment. Distractions usually present in a classroom, are absent in an online session, letting the students concentrate on the lecture. Moreover, students become more responsive in an online class as they overcome their hesitation in only a one to one interaction with the teacher.

An online mode of study is a fusion of technology and education. It indicates how well an education system can take advantage of new technology and strive for growth and improvement. This mode of education could be a step towards revolutionizing the education system in a never seen before form.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Ans . The University of Toronto introduced the first online course in the world.

Ans . Jonathan Rochelle invented the Google classroom app meant for online teaching.

Ans . The term e-learning was coined by Elliott Masie.

Ans . E-Learning begins in India in 2006 and was initiated through a project E-Gyankosh by IGNOU.

Ans . It enables the students to study from any place with a proper internet connection.

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Advantages and disadvantages of studying an online course (Corrected Essay)

In the last decade, there has been a great increase in the number and variety of online courses available to adults. This has been welcomed as a great opportunity by many students, however, other students see these courses as less effective than classroom teaching.

Topic: In the last decade, there has been a great increase in the number and variety of online courses available to adults. This has been welcomed as a great opportunity by many students, however, other students see these courses as less effective than classroom teaching.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying an online course?

Sample answer

In recent years, distance teaching and learning has become increasingly popular among the students and this is perceived differently by learners. Many students perceive this as a beneficial aid in learning while others think that they are not as much effective as classroom teaching. This essay will discuss about the merits and demerits of distant learning.

Studying an online course provides a flexible timing and less budgeted learning for students. They are able to learn their desire course and subjects on their suitable time. This gives a great opportunity for learners to gain new skills and strengthen their knowledge level staying in their own place. For instance, a Nepali student who wants an Australian degree in business management course does not have to stay in Australia, he can study online and complete course staying at his home. Hence, distant learning is economic and time saving.

However, online courses give more emphasis on the theoretical part of learning and there is less teacher and student interaction. It lacks the practical aspects of learning and encourage the passive learning. This is very obvious that students find it as a less effective learning than in the classroom. A recent study suggests that a greater number of students found classroom teaching far more effective than the distance learning.

In conclusion, the ever growing availability of online learning has gained its popularity among the young adults for many years, which is perceived as beneficial by many people while others find it to be less effective. The emphasis can be given to its effectiveness to establish it as the most cost effective learning than the classroom teaching.

(Written by Susa Dhakal)

In recent years, distance teaching and learning has become increasingly popular among the students , and this trend is perceived differently by learners. Many students perceive this it as a beneficial aid an improvement in learning techniques, while others think that they are it is not as much effective as classroom teaching learning . This essay will discuss about the merits and demerits of distant learning.

There is no need to start your essay with a general present time expression like “in recent years”, especially if you have used the present perfect progressive tense.

In the first sentence, since you use the word “has”, you can only write “distance learning” (singular), not “distance teaching and learning” (plural).

You only mention students in the first sentence, so talking about “teaching” is inappropriate. If you had mentioned both the teachers and students, then “distance teaching and learning” would have been a fine approach.

“And this is perceived differently by learners.” It is unclear whether “this” could be interpreted as which object. This kind of mistake is called “unclear antecedent”, and I suggest you write more clearly.

Generally, English speakers do not say “beneficial aid”. And it is usually used as “financial assistance”, rather than “improvement”

Remember to put a comma before a subordinate conjunction (“and”), or a relative pronoun (“which”).

“to discuss” does not go with a preposition.

The last sentence in this introduction is decent. The author has written a concise thesis statement. He also does not state his own opinion, which is good since it isn’t required by the topic question.

Good use of lexical resource here: “distance learning”, “classroom teaching”.

Studying in an online course provides a flexible timing schedule and less budgeted expense learning for the students. They are able to learn their desire desired course and subjects on their suitable time. This gives a great opportunity for learners to gain new skills and strengthen accumulate their knowledge level , while still staying in their own place. For instance, a Nepali student who wants an Australian degree in business management course does not have to stay in Australia, because he can study online and complete course by staying at his home. Hence, distant learning is economic economically efficient and time saving time-saving .

“ Timing ” as a noun is only used as “a particular moment”, not “ a schedule ”. On the other hand, the verb “to time” can be used as “to plan a schedule”.

You should learn more synonyms of “ schedule ”. You are showing your weak point in Lexical Resources here.

The correct collocation here is “ to accumulate knowledge ”, not “ to strengthen knowledge ”.

Don’t forget the hyphen in the word “ time-saving ”

Forget to use prepositions and/or articles will make it hard to you to get above 7 in Grammatical Range & Accuracy.

While the author has written a good topic sentence, his idea and evidence are kinda repetitive in this paragraph.

However, online courses give more emphasis on the theoretical part of learning and there is less teacher and student teacher-student interaction. It lacks the practical aspects of learning and encourage encourages the passive learning. This is very obvious that As a result, students find it as a less effective learning method than that of in the classroom. A recent study suggests that a greater number of students found classroom teaching far more effective than the distance learning teaching .

Good coherence. The second body paragraph is used solely to support the notion of classroom learning, while the first one is for e-learning. And the paragraph structure is decent.

Avoid using phrase like “a recent study”. Which study is the author referring to? It is impossible to get reference in the IELTS exam.

There are many grammar mistakes throughout the whole essay.

Good lexical resource: teacher-student interaction, practical aspects of learning, passive learning.

In conclusion, the ever growing availability of online learning has gained its popularity among the young adults for many years, which is perceived as beneficial by many people while others find it to be less effective. The emphasis can be given to its effectiveness to establish it as the most a more cost effective cost-effective learning method than the classroom teaching.

The last sentence is very wordy and ungrammatical. In addition, it is not a good conclusion, due to the fact that the author does not mention the idea of teacher-student interaction. If the author only supports the argument for e-learning, then it looks like he is giving his own opinion - which isn’t required. Stay faithful to your ideas and evidences.

“more than”, not “most than”.

Overall: 7.0

Task Response: 7

✓ addresses all parts of the task (the author writes more than 250 words) ✓ presents a clear position throughout the response (the conclusion is kinda unclear, but overall the author has done well) ✓ presents, extends and supports main ideas, but there may be a tendency to overgeneralise and/or supporting ideas may lack focus (the author has provided evidences and/or examples for his arguments)

Coherence and Cohesion: 7

✓ logically organises information and ideas; there is clear progression throughout

✓ uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately although there may be some under-/over-use (the author needs to use more connectives and less “this is”)

✓ presents a clear central topic within each paragraph (the author has done well on this part)

Lexical Resource: 7

✓ uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision

✓ uses less common lexical items with some awareness of style and collocation (various mistakes in terms of collocation makes it impossible to rate this criterion more than 7)

✓ may produce occasional errors in word choice, spelling and/or word formation

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: 6

✓ uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms ✓ makes some errors in grammar and punctuation but they rarely reduce communication (there are only 2 error-free sentences in the whole essay, so it’s impossible to give a 7+ score on this criterion)

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This essay is corrected by Anh Tran - Let's Write Something Group .

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Home — Essay Samples — Education — Online Vs. Traditional Classes — Advantages And Disadvantages Traditional Learning And Online Classes

Comparative Analysis of Traditional Learning and Online Classes

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Discuss the Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning – IELTS Writing Task 2

Updated On Jan 05, 2022

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Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of online learning.

Advantage/ Disadvantage Essay

Introduction

Sentence 1 & 2: Introduce the topic.

Sentence 3: Analyse the advantages and disadvantages in the following portion.

Body Paragraphs

Paragraph 1 – Positive effects of online studying

Paragraph 2 – Negative effects of online studying

Summarize the points and mention the opinion.

Sample Essay

The use of online technology is ubiquitous in everyday life, including education. Increasingly, people today find online learning more effective due to advancements in technology. The following essay compares the pros and cons of online learning.

Online education offers the advantage of allowing students to attend classes from any location. It also allows schools to reach an extensive network of students instead of being constrained by geographical borders. Also, sessions can be recorded, archived, and shared and made available for future use. Thus, the learning materials are accessible at any time that is convenient for the students. In addition to that, online learning also provides teachers with a flexible delivery method for the classes. In addition to traditional textbooks, online resources such as videos, PDFs, and podcasts can be incorporated into the lesson plan to help educators be more efficient. Further, compared to traditional learning, online education is significantly more affordable. During online courses, expenses such as transportation costs, meals, and, most notably, their renting costs, if any, are cut down . Moreover, all course materials are available online, creating an eco-friendly, paperless educational environment.

In contrast, the biggest challenge of online learning for many students is keeping their attention on the screen for long periods. Social media and other sites can easily distract students who are learning online. A reliable connection that has decent speed is hard to find in smaller cities and towns. The learning process can be disrupted if students or teachers do not have a consistent internet connection. Furthermore, online learning entails an increase in screen time . Children spending so much time in front of a screen is a concern for many parents. It is also common for students to develop bad posture when hunched over the e-device or affects eyesight.

In conclusion, learning online has some advantages and some limitations. Even though it may be convenient for some people, it cannot completely replace traditional classroom teaching. In my opinion, the positives of online education eventually surpass the downsides.

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Since the past few years, distant teaching as well as learning have turned progressively popular amongst students. Also, this methodology is being perceived positively by a lot of learners as well. Plenty of students are finding it beneficial to learn online. However, there are a few who have the conflicting opinion. In the forthcoming paragraphs, I will discuss both advantages and disadvantages of online learning.

As far as the merits are concerned, studying on the internet enables students to make use of flexible timing. It also costs far less than physically going to attend classes. Moreover, there is an option to learn anything desirable at a suitable timing. This offers extremely profound opportunities for learners to acquire new skills and strengthen the existing knowledge by sitting at the comfortable couch in their own living room. For instance, a student residing in a remote village can learn a course that is affiliated with an international education body. This way, distant learning is not just time-saving but remunerative as well.

Quite contrarily, with online courses, there is always more concentration on theoretical learning . Online classes have the dearth of practical aspects of learning. Also, there is restricted interaction between the teacher and students. It is evident that taking online classes is not the cup of tea for every student, especially the ones who are into learning in detail. One of the recent studies has shown that a great number of students found classroom teaching more effective than online classes.

Concluding this topic, it can be said that the ever-evolving availability of online learning has reaped popularity among youngsters. It is considered beneficial by many, and ineffective by others. The prominence here can be given to the effectiveness of online learning as the cost-effective method of gaining education in comparison to classroom teaching.

Meaning: seeming to be everywhere or in several places at the same time; very common Eg: Computers are becoming increasingly ubiquitous.

Meaning: large in area or amount Eg: That school has a more extensive curriculum than I expected.

Constrained

Meaning: to force by imposed stricture, restriction, or limitation Eg: Teenagers often feel constrained by rules.

Meaning: a recording of a radio programme or a video that somebody can download from the Internet Eg: Listening to podcasts is something I enjoy.

Meaning : reduce the size, amount, or quantity of something. Eg: Rihana should cut down her sugar intake.

Meaning: that you can trust Eg: Everything you see on the internet is not reliable.

Screen time

Meaning: time spent using a device such as a computer, television, or games. Eg: Too much screen time is damaging her eyes.

Posture

Meaning: position in which you hold your body while standing, sitting or lying down Eg: If bad posture becomes habitual, you risk long-term effects.

Meaning: to bend your back and shoulders forward into a round shape Eg: She hunched over the table to pick up the pen.

Meaning : to become better, greater, or stronger than Eg: She surpassed the topper in the maths test.

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Soon after graduating with a Master’s in Literature from Southern Arkansas University, she joined an institute as an English language trainer. She has had innumerous student interactions and has produced a couple of research papers on English language teaching. She soon found that non-native speakers struggled to meet the English language requirements set by foreign universities. It was when she decided to jump ship into IELTS training. From then on, she has been mentoring IELTS aspirants. She joined IELTSMaterial about a year ago, and her contributions have been exceptional. Her essay ideas and vocabulary have taken many students to a band 9.

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Essay On Online Education: In 100 Words, 150 Words, and 200 Words. Online education has emerged as a significant transformation in the global education landscape, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This essay explores the various facets of online education, from its inception to its advantages and disadvantages and its impact on ...
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This allows students to access the learning material at a time of their comfort. Thus, online learning offers students the accessibility of time and place in education. 3. Affordability. Another advantage of online learning is reduced financial costs. Online education is far more affordable as compared to physical learning.
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With the help of online education, they can plan their study themselves, taking into consideration their working schedule, family needs, and amount of spare time. As for the second argument of this side, it is also good because people study themselves depending only upon their wish, and no teacher can make them study (Deane, 2005, pp. 34 - 54).
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Con: You May Have Trouble Getting to Know People. One of the main cons of online learning is that it can be difficult to form personal relationships with classmates and professors. Traditional on-campus learning offers many opportunities to get to know others and build camaraderie through things like in-person classes, clubs, and social events.
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Pros of Online Learning. First, let's take a look at the true value of online learning by examining some of the benefits: 1. Flexibility. Online learning's most significant advantage is its flexibility. It's the reason millions of adults have chosen to continue their education and pursue certificates and degrees.
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4 hidden advantages of online learning. Main disadvantages of online education. While the concept of online learning is a great choice for many, some online programmes can be prone to common downfalls: Some online courses are solitary. For instance, MOOCs don't provide the same level of connection and collaboration as in-person courses would.
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In either case, the advantages of virtual learning can be clearly seen on a resume. 6. Increased Collaboration. Online students have better opportunities to collaborate with classmates through virtual group work and meetings. One of the benefits of online courses are the message boards and grouping tools that allow students to post their ...
What We're Learning About Online Learning
The virtual learners' overall average score was 3.21, compared to 3.04 among Michigan peers who took the course in a classroom. The national average on those same tests was 2.89. "On these ...
20 Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Classes
List of the Disadvantages of Online Classes. 1. It can take longer to earn a degree when using online classes. If a student is not thoroughly committed to earning their degree, then it can take several years for that person to complete their online classes. Everything that the course requires is up to you.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Classes
The ability to learn at your own pace. Lastly, another advantage of online education is the ability to learn at your own pace. Every student has their own pace of studying, and this is where the advantages of distance learning really come into play. Online classes give you the ability to set your own pace, review material as needed and move ...
PDF Prons and Cons of Online Education
Pros and Cons of Online Education NC State Industry Expansion Solutions | 5. Summary The facts are that there are advantages and disadvantages to every type of learning environment. Students have to analyze both the pros and cons factors which contribute greatly to making an informed decision about
Online Education Advantages and Disadvantages: 2023 & Beyond
1. Convenience. A prominent advantage of online learning is the convenience facet. It allows students in cyber classes to promptly communicate with professors and peers. Students are exploring situations where the convenience of online learning supersedes the face time required in traditional courses. 2.
Benefits of Online Learning
Online learning improves their talent in computers and the internet. Online learning does not need physical movements and students are not bound by time, place, and the tutor. "People with accessibility issues are not disadvantaged on an online course - everybody is equal." (Benefits of Online Learning). Each individual has a similar ...
Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning: IELTS ...
Advantages of Online Classes Essay. There is no time constraint and the online classroom and teacher are (theoretically) accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As a result, students will stick to their schedules without impacting their learning outcomes. Second, the advantage of learning is that it saves resources.
10 Surprising Benefits of Online Learning in 2024
7. You might save money compared to in-person learning. Beyond tuition and fees, there are a lot of costs associated with attending college or university—or a workshop, course, or certificate program—in person. With online learning, you tend to benefit from lower overall costs because there's less overhead associated with operating each ...
Essay on Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Study
Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Study Essay 10 Lines (100 - 150 Words) 1) Online study refers to the process of gaining knowledge via the internet. 2) It is really the convenient way of studying. 3) Online study saves your precious time and money. 4) You can study online from any corner of the world.
Advantages and disadvantages of studying an online course (Corrected Essay)
Studying an online course provides a flexible timing and less budgeted learning for students. They are able to learn their desire course and subjects on their suitable time. This gives a great opportunity for learners to gain new skills and strengthen their knowledge level staying in their own place.
Advantages And Disadvantages Traditional Learning And Online Classes
Review of Education Priority, Online Education and Education in Indiana State Essay Education on top priority Today, education stands on top of the priority list. Anywhere you go or anything you want to achieve in your life, you require education.
Discuss the Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning
Sample Essay. The use of online technology is ubiquitous in everyday life, including education. Increasingly, people today find online learning more effective due to advancements in technology. The following essay compares the pros and cons of online learning. Online education offers the advantage of allowing students to attend classes from any ...