Introduction
The main principle of Online Learning – also called e-learning, distance learning, etc – is very simple: Online Learning allows students to remain at home or anywhere they like and still be able to study, nowadays mostly via computers and the Internet.
Online Education is education provided online, with online electronic means.
The term refers to both online institutions which provide entire academic programs via the Internet and to certain web-based educational means used on traditional campuses.
But the cultural implications of this simple thing are vast and unprecedented in the history of civilization.
What online learning is all about?
Let us define the main aspects of online learning –
How Online Learning Works?
The principle simple: Online Learning works like traditional education, but happens entirely online.
Lectures are viewed on the screen of a computer, with written supplementary material, lecture transcripts, and academic sources provided electronically.
There is email and forum communication between classmates and teachers, as well as video meetings.
Exams are taken online, assignments are submitted electronically (uploaded or sent by email). Some institutions still require exams to be taken in special learning centers, but this is most likely to change over time to total virtual education experience.
What it can offer?
- Students no longer need to work in snatches during summer vacations. They can combine full time jobs and studies more easily than ever before.
- Students do not need to commute, saving great amounts of time, money, and personal energy, as well as global energy.
This seems very simple, and it is, but its implications are, again, enormous. It means much more time spent on actual education and personal life. It means money saved. It even means significantly less traffic and green-house gasses.
It also means students:
- Construct their own schedules.
- Can finish four-year programs in two years.
Main factors of Online Educational Learning
Let us consider/define the main factors comprises the evolution of this type of learning –
- E-learning Tools
Typical electronic education means include video and audio lectures, real time or archived, eBooks, online exams, email and chat rooms, and other.
It can be disseminated via private computers or computerized learning centers, via TV, Radio, and CD-ROM media.
- Online Education – Program Schedule
Online education can be self-paced or lead by an instructor, or combined both in one way or another.
Other common names and abbreviations for online education e-learning tools include: IBT (Internet-Based Training), CBT (Computer-Based Training), and WBT (Web-Based Training) and E-learning or e-Learning.
- Market
In terms of market sectors, services, content, consulting, technologies, and support are the key market sectors where online education industry is most active.
Worldwide, the industry is estimated by some to be worth more than $50 billion.
What enables this new and increasingly powerful industry is the unprecedented development of multimedia and the Internet penetration.
- Popularity
Online education becomes popular.
At least in the US, online education is quickly becoming a respected alternative to the traditional education – The new standard of accredited education.
Specialists indicate that the number of graduate students talking some or all of their courses online will rise to 81% by 2018.
Some of the leading research institutions even offer complete doctoral programs online.
- Satisfaction
Online courses in general permeate modern education systems, including for and non-profit higher education institutions. Reports suggest that students are generally very pleased with the available online courses.
- Education & Salary
Education has always meant higher salary and better living in the modern civilized world. But to combine work and education has always been difficult, for many – impossible.
Online Learning is now making it possible for anyone with the desire to learn, acquire any form of education, including doctoral degrees from major institutions, online.
Busy people are combining right now their busy professional and family lives with higher degree education, enabled by the unprecedented flexibility of online learning.
Whoever had no career at all before, now can start it, despite time constraints. Whoever already has a career, can improve it or change it entirely.