Last updated on January 23rd, 2019 at 08:27 pm
Technology is a fixture of Bahamian life, and education is no different. Between the speed at which education can be delivered, and the ability to learn, share and collaborate with people all over the world, online learning can be of tremendous benefit to you. Technology is an ingrained part of our daily lives. It’s expected that college courses and the working world will continue to utilize technology in the most innovative and beneficial ways. Online learning is a natural extension of that and benefits both student and parents.
Easy does it
The most popular reason to choose online courses, is the ability to work at your own pace. If you need a little extra time to fully understand your biology notes and how naturally occurring or human-caused catastrophic events can result in changes to a population’s gene pool – then go ahead and take a few days. While taking online courses you have the time and flexibility to work at your pace, and take time to review materials when you need to.
The converse is also true and when you are comfortable with new material, you don’t need to waste any time and can move to the next concept. This flexibility gives you control over your education and your time, ensuring you can be successful in your online class. Flexibility to learn at your pace instead of an arbitrary pace, might result in higher grades. Now that sounds confidence building!
Happy pockets and happy lives
Online courses are less expensive than in-person traditional courses. Not only is the base tuition much less expensive, you also eliminate textbook fees, and commuting costs – so you save even more.
Many students consider online learning because it fits their lives better. Online courses can be scheduled around other studies, extracurricular activities or work. Students that are in athletic training or have other demands on their time, can use online courses to meet their learning objectives. Because material is provided on-demand, students can fit studying in around other classes, internship, work, or family responsibilities.
Material is provided according to the student’s schedule, so wasted time is eliminated. This results in more efficient education and actually gives the student more time for other endeavors. Online course flexibility gives you the chance to plan your study time around your life, instead of allowing it to overcome your life.
Available within your reach
An oft overlooked benefit of online courses is the huge breadth and scope of courses available to anyone with internet access. You literally have your choice to use any resource and learn any subject. You can take any class, from any place. Your choices are limitless and your options are endless. Your school doesn’t offer that physics class you were interested in? Take an online physics class. Want to learn some new study skills? Take an online study skill class. Frustrated with your limited local choices or a long commute? Take an online course. Online learning offers an immense chance to improve your skills and increase your opportunities – take it!
Online courses bring equal opportunity to everyone, no matter where you are located in the Bahamas. You don’t need to be there to participate in class. From discussion boards, to private chat groups and study sessions, online courses offer incredible technological advances to ensure each student gets the most out of their education. The education portal can link seamlessly with various social media and web-based platforms. This makes discussion boards, blogs, tweets, podcasts, webcasts, and virtual study sessions accessible and comfortable for everyone.
Sharing and communicating
Online classes are also less intimidating than courses at a traditional school. Online classes can be a great way to ease into college. Even shy students are comfortable chatting online instead of having to raise their hand in a huge classroom. You can analyze, think about, and respond to questions when you’re ready. In a traditional classroom, the class would have already moved on and you wouldn’t have the opportunity to revisit an earlier topic. In online courses, topics stay active longer, and teachers are more approachable. It might be easier for shy students to communicate through email then trying to meet up during limited office hours. Online courses bring education to you.
Discussion forums grant you the unique opportunity to learn from other students’ views and perspectives. Other online students and teachers come from different socio-economic, educational and geographical backgrounds. This results in a wide diversity of students, perspectives and views, which results in rich and fulfilling discussions. Online learning represents a truly global and diverse learning environment – take advantage of it!
Online courses are a technological wonder, bringing together the best of technology and education. You can engage through lectures, webcasts and podcasts. Infographics, online review tools, and practice questions help reinforce key concepts to students. These multimedia tools not only increase student engagement, they have been scientifically proven to improve memory recall by providing sensory cues we use to remember facts. That means online courses utilizing multimedia learning can actually improve student outcomes and increase knowledge retention. That sounds like a win-win to me!
Online classes also encourages you to develop great communication skills. You will be asking questions, verifying answers and communicating with both teachers and classmates through online portals, email, and other technology based methods. You will learn new strategies of how to effectively communicate with a group, which is a highly valued skill both in school and careers.
Confidence and time management
Online courses can build a student’s confidence. As you navigate the world of higher education, online learning gives you the tools to manage your education, communicate effectively with peers and teachers, and the flexibility to fit into your life. This increases your confidence and your resourcefulness. Resourcefulness is the ability to quickly and creatively overcome an obstacle, or to find a solution. Resourcefulness is a determining factor in a person’s chances for success, and online learning can increase your resourcefulness skills.
Just as in traditional classes, students are required to manage their time to effectively complete assignments, readings and projects. You may be assigned to work independently or in groups. Online classes often come with an education portal that supports your time management in a supportive yet unobtrusive way. Milestones, timelines and assignments are listed and available to view at any time, without having to contact a teacher. This allows you to take ownership of your own education. The online tools help you think about what you want to accomplish, and then develop a plan to succeed.
And in conclusion…
As you know, just by looking at most persons today, technology isn’t just an innovation in their life – it’s an essential and vital part of their life. Online courses enable students to learn in a way many are comfortable with – online using the technology they use everyday. Online courses offer many benefits to both students and parents. From financial savings to better retention of topics, online learning may be the best option for students to meet their educational goals.
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