Online learning isn’t a buzzword anymore but is almost known to everyone who has access to the internet.
The industry that was struggling to revolutionize saw a sudden rise in the last three years, jumping drastically to $410 bn in 2023. It is further forecasted to grow at a 9.12% CAGR from 2022 to 2028.
Surely, the rise of the pandemic led to the disruption of traditional education to online learning for a large percentage of learners.
However, various learners are skeptical about switching from traditional classrooms to virtual learning.
Reasons? Less technicalities, face-to-face interaction, networking opportunities, and much more.
I went through various surveys and student forums on the internet with the usual question- “Is Online Learning right for me?” It makes sense to ask this question as different students have different understandings and perceptions.
If you’re sailing in the same boat, scroll down further as I write this detailed guide on How to Find Out if Online Learning is right for You.
Online Learning and its Growing Popularity
Simply defined, Online learning or eLearning refers to the mode of education that uses the internet and digital platforms to deliver educational content, resources, and even certifications and degrees virtually.
It enables the learners to interact with the instructors through various means of communication, such as video, audio, and text messages.
Online learning further leverages technology to facilitate remote and flexible learning experiences, breaking geographical barriers.
Though the term online education was coined back in 1999, it has gained massive traction in the last three years. The peak of the pandemic forced 1.6 billion learners around the world to adopt technology-driven online education.
The education sector saw a paradigm shift in its practice, adoption, and learning methods with the growing digitization.
The many benefits of online education outweighed the benefits of traditional education in such a way that 69% of learners prefer fully online, hybrid, or blended learning options.
Today, there are around 200 million users who prefer distance learning through online learning platforms like edX, Udemy, Coursera, and more. Well, one of the reasons for the growing popularity of these course platforms is their diverse learning options, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
However, that isn’t enough to convince a traditional learner to switch to the online learning method. Know about the pros and cons of eLearning to see if it’s worth it.
Below, we have discussed each of these Pros and Cons in detail:
Pros of Online Learning
Flexible learning
One of the major advantages of online learning is the flexible approach. You get access to quality education from wherever you want and whenever you want.
The biggest flex of online learning is its convenience. It means that students of all ages can study and attend classes without sacrificing financial security. Students can choose to learn through video communication or without it.
They can even schedule their classes and learn in a pre-set time and place. Students can also divide the classes in batches so that they can have higher focus and retention capability.
Accessibility
The major difference between traditional and online learning is that of accessibility. Students can get access to a wide range of courses and programs, unlike traditional courses, which are limited to certain subjects.
So, you can pick any course or program that you are more interested in and learn from the comfort of your home. Further, online classes have various modes of learning: texts, videos, audio, and whatnot.
Cost-effective
Online learning is a win-win situation for the educators as well as the students. The cost of enrolling in the traditional course is fairly high, with university enrollment charges and other additional costs.
In contrast, enrolling in online courses is fairly cheap since there are no additional costs except the course pricing. Since it’s completely remote, online learning eliminates the cost of student meals, transportation, and, most importantly, books.
Online learning gives you a hands-on learning experience through practical learning. All of the study materials are available online, and most of them are included in the course package.
Universities and colleges can save costs on real estate charges, electricity bills, etc.
Better Time Management
Attending a physical classroom is more time-consuming since it requires traveling to institutes. Within an asynchronous classroom that comes with a flexible schedule, students can manage their time even better.
Staying at home, you can manage your time and improve productivity while focusing on family and office. In fact, online learning can reduce study time by up to 40%-60% for both students and employees.
Self-paced learning
Self-paced learning is pivotal to online learning. One of many reasons why learners choose online mode over traditional learning is because it gives them the freedom to learn at their own pace.
While the tutors are not involved, they can guide the students about the schedule and create a learning checkpoint. Students can consume the online materials anytime and pick from where they left off.
Learners can also choose to attend virtual classes led by experts in the industry (called industry-led training.)
I have discussed the differences between self-paced learning and instructor-led training in detail in the later section.
But first, look at some of the drawbacks of online learning methods.
Cons of Online Learning
Lacks face-to-face interaction
If you are a social bee, you might not like the idea of the online learning environment. In online learning, you can join group meetings and attend group classes virtually but feel isolated. Online learning abstains you from face-to-face interaction.
Traditional education enhances learning as you can discuss the course materials, solve problems, and build relationships with your co-learners. You can also choose the hybrid learning environment if you prefer a face to face interaction.
Technical issues
Technical issues can disrupt your learning in the virtual setup. Let’s say a poor internet connection, system breakdown, or malfunctioning software could be the major roadblocks in online classes.
This is mostly seen in the case of instructor-led classes where video or audio is a mode of communication.
These technical issues can vastly impact online learning as students can lose focus and get discouraged. Most of these issues occur from the student’s end but could occasionally be from the tutor’s end.
Now, this could be a poor video connection or an inability to upload the learning documents.
Self-discipline and motivation
Unlike traditional classrooms, online learning relies on personal commitment. It becomes challenging to stay focused, complete tasks, and meet deadlines without a teacher. Distractions at home can make it more challenging, leading to demotivation.
Until you are self-disciplined or have self-control, online learning won’t be the right choice for you.
Now that you know the pros and cons of online learning, let’s understand the difference between the two learning options and decide which one is for you.
Self-Paced Learning
As evident from the name, self-paced learning allows learners to learn and progress at their own pace. This is the best option for corporates and working professionals.
Reports suggest that the Self-Paced E-Learning market is projected to reach $10,960 million by 2027, at a CAGR of 8.2% during 2021-2027.
Students get pre-recorded videos and online course materials that they can consume at their own pace. The course material consists of images, videos, audio, and games that make learning more engaging.
There is no instructor or teacher in the self-learning. So, users have no restraints on time.
Various online course platforms these days provide self-learning options to learners along with priority support.
Instructor-Led Learning
Akin to the traditional classroom, instructor-led learning involves an expert in the field who guides the learners through the course modules, curriculums, videos, and training.
The difference between traditional learning and instructor-led is that it happens virtually rather than attending face-to-face.
During the pandemic, every educational institute adopted the instructor-led training method to connect with learners through video conferencing.
Unlike other course platforms, Zoom wasn’t a viable option at that time.
However, the SaaS industry has evolved since then and has made drastic changes to the technology, making online learning more interactive.
Self-Paced vs. Instructor-led Training
Both the learning methods have their fair share of good and bad. While it depends much on the learners and their preferences, self-paced and instructor-led training differentiates on the basis of flexibility, scalability, pricing, and scope of learning.
Flexibility
Self-paced learning offers a flexible approach in a way that isn’t time-bound. Learners can start anytime, leave whenever they want, and resume again. Self-paced learning is a viable choice for full-time employees or college students who don’t wish to hamper their day-to-day activities.
Instructor-led training, on the other hand, is time-bounded. It’s like consuming a vast course in merely 60 minutes. Since it is instructor-led, you rely too much on instructors for the timing as well as the quality of learning.
Affordability
Self-paced learning has the upper hand in terms of affordability since it is available at a lower price than instructor-led training. Furthermore, self-paced courses need to be purchased once and can be used again.
This is a great plus for organizations that wish to train multiple batches of employees or learners.
Instructor-led courses are usually costlier since the cost depends on the course duration, complexity, and course quality. Also, the organizations need to pay for every batch of training they conduct for their employees.
Scope of Learning
Self-paced learning approach lacks human interaction. So, the learners can only consume the content from videos or eBooks. Organizations might need an assistant to help their employees in case of doubts or assessments.
Since instructor-led training requires an expert in the field, learners get a more comprehensive approach to learning. Learners in the same field can interact and build a relationships. Thus, instructor-led training is a more viable way of expanding your learning approach.
Structure and Organization
Self-paced courses are usually more structured and organized as they have course materials in different formats. Learners can choose the format. Further, the courses are divided into brief chapters, which make learning smooth.
Each course material has how-to blogs, video resources, and test assessments, which users can consume at their own pace. Although some instructor-led courses offer the course materials, you still have to rely on that 60-minute or 30-minute long class for a clear understanding.
After going through the pros and cons of online learning along with the different learning methods, you must have a better idea of whether it is for you.
If not, check out our ultimate checklist below to decide if online learning is worth it for you.
Quick Checklist To See If Online Learning Is Right For You?
Ask yourself these questions on the checklist to make sure eLearning is the right choice for you.
#1. Are you motivated to learn independently without external pressure?
Ask if you are self-motivated to learn a course without any pressure from your friends, family, or instructor. This will decide the path of your learning in the future. If you’re not driven by self-motivation, there is no point in learning in a virtual environment.
#2. Can you effectively manage your time and set up a consistent schedule?
While you are on a regular job and want to learn additional skills, it is crucial to set up a schedule prior to paying for the course. For an inconsistent schedule, self-paced learning is a better choice.
#3. Do you feel comfortable using digital tools?
Online learning platforms are mostly cloud-based and use modern tools and technologies to engage with the students. Hence, you must be digital-friendly and aware of adapting these tech tools in your learning. While every online learning platform gives you a demo about its usage, it depends on the learner to decide if they can adapt to it in the long term.
#4. Can you adapt to changing technology and curriculums?
eLearning is more dynamic as it needs new technology and tools to enhance the learning experience. Unlike traditional learning, the eLearning curriculum may change rapidly with trends. Hence, you must be flexible enough to adapt to the changing technology and course curriculum.
#5. Can you express yourself effectively through virtual communication?
Consider your ability to express ideas clearly, convey thoughts in a structured manner, and engage in constructive dialogue. This skill is crucial to engage in virtual classrooms and get noticed among the large pool of students.
Like it or not, you might need to stick to some tips to make it successful. Let’s look at some quick tips to make your online learning successful.
- Create a positive learning environment: Even if you are studying from home, a classroom setup can enhance your learning experience and improve the outcome. The couch or bed isn’t the best place to learn or work. Set up a space at the corner that makes learning fun.
- Set up micro goals: Break down the large tasks into smaller ones and create checkpoints for your course to break up the curriculum to make tracking easy.
- Set a schedule for completing assignments: Make sure to allocate a schedule for different assignments. It is impossible to engage in various skills and courses at the same time.
- Engage with co-learners: Do not limit yourself to the classes. Forming communities in virtual platforms can make learning interactive and expand the horizon.
- Regularly assess your progress: Most online course providers help with the regular assessment of your learning, enabling you to adjust accordingly.
Following these tips can guarantee your success in the path of online learning. Choosing the right course platform also plays a part here. Though there are scores of online course platforms, I would suggest going for the ones that have vast options and are easily accessible and affordable.
Best Online Learning Platforms
Let’s look at some of the best online learning platforms:
#1. Udemy
Udemy is the largest marketplace for online courses. It offers 14000 courses for over 9500 companies on a wide range of topics. You are an expert in a subject? Join as an instructor and sell your courses.
Instructors can upload their video courses, track their progress, and leave feedback. Most certification courses use texts, audio, quizzes, and other modes to engage with learners.
Also Read: Best Free Udemy Courses
#2. Coursera
Coursera partners with over 200 top universities around the world to offer university-level courses.
These courses are available in various subjects heavily focused on business-related topics, and especially the sciences (e.g., computer science, data science, health sciences, physical sciences).
Coursera also offers some amazing certifications, online degree programs, and specializations, along with university-level courses. Some are free, and some are paid. You can also buy a Coursera Plus plan and subscribe to the courses for a year.
#3. edX
edX is an online course provider that focuses on providing high-quality open online courses.
It offers over 3,000 courses sorted into 300 different programs. edX provides top-notch courses to learners from Harvard, Berkeley, and IBM.
Though free courses do not provide certificates, you will have to pay for the course to earn university certificates.
Wrapping Up
Online learning has emerged drastically in the last few years, and it will see an uphill trend in the upcoming years. If you are thinking of sailing into eLearning waters, make sure to follow these tips and checklists to make your learning successful.
Also, do not undermine the importance of online course platforms in your eLearning career. Choose your niche wisely and take time to research through the best online course platforms.
