Whenever we thought about going to college or university, we created a picture that does not follow a uniform culture, whiteboards, desks, a room of walls, notebooks, and so on. This is the scenery of traditional classrooms that have dominated the educational industries since decades. It is hard to think about the other ways. However, in the past couple of years, learning has no more a following strict guidelines and schedules due to the rise of online and distance education courses. Thanks to the Internet! That makes distance learning courses more approachable and flexible as per the needs of learners.
The way online degree courses have transformed the educational industry, we can say that this is the future of education. Many well-liked governments and private UGC-DEB-approved online college courses have increased with each passing day. One can opt for numerous UG/PG/Diploma courses including online MBA programs or online MCA courses from the comfort of their own pace without compromising their ongoing commitments and financial circumstances.
Off course, no one wants to pursue a degree that is valid on paper only and has no value in the job market and everyone needs to increase their knowledge base along with the academic program. Your concerns might stem from some common myths circulating about online and distance education. If this is so, then would like to say that this blog is just for you. Here we discuss the common myths and facts about online and distance education.
7 Common Myths Debunking About Online and Distance Education
Due to its flexibility and accessibility for a wide spectrum of learners, online learning has grown in popularity in recent years. Did you know, in fact, the online learning market is predicted to expand by 9.12% globally by the end of 2038?
Even with its immense popularity, there are a lot of widespread misconceptions about online learning that may discourage people from taking advantage of it. To assist you in exploring this dynamic learning process, allow us to dispel some of the most common fallacies about online learning.
1.) Online and Distance Education Programs Lack a Good Job: The most common myths about online learning are that online degree courses have no value in the job market and employers do not consider the degree holders. However, the reality is different as employers are always looking to add potential workers to their team despite the mode of the degree. In fact, a recent survey has said that more than 30% of candidates pursue online and distance learning courses in the haunt of better job opportunities.
2.)Online and Distance Education System is Complex: Another common myth is that, to pursue distance learning courses the candidate should be tech-savvy and know about computers very much. Some also consider that respective instructors are not helpful to the students and not dedicated to their job as well. Dispelling the stereotypes surrounding distance learning, pursuing an education online is really simple, requiring only a basic understanding of computers and a reliable internet connection to access a wealth of instructional materials. Universities place a high value on hiring academics and faculty members who have been approved by the industry to ensure that the curriculum for each program is completed on time.
3.) Online and Distance Education is Expensive: The frequent myths about online learning are that online college courses are more expensive than traditional learning. Given its reliance on computers, video conferencing, and superior course materials, many people believe that online courses will be more expensive than traditional learning techniques. Fortunately, compared to traditional schools, online education is far less expensive. Students who enroll in online programs frequently save money and time on housing, transportation, and other expenditures related to traditional schooling.
4.) Online and Distance Education Have Less Scope and Networking Opportunities: Conferences, seminars, and webinars are all essential components of distance learning. Students have the opportunity to interact with professionals and industry experts, growing their career network. As a result, the widespread belief that networking opportunities are negatively impacted by online learning is wholly untrue. Additionally, there is the chance to learn and earn at the same time, which increases one's marketability for jobs.
5.) Online and Distance Education Provides No Interactions With Fellow Classmates: In online education, peer-to-peer learning is essential. Online courses give students many chances to engage with other students, from discussion boards to group projects and live collaborative sessions. Thus, frequent preconceptions about online learning, such as the lack of peer interaction, are totally untrue—virtual education is anything from isolating.
6.) Online and Distance Education Only Offered Management Programs: While it's true that certain universities provide management courses online, not all virtual degrees are limited to taking online MBA programs. There are numerous distance learning options accessible in a variety of fields, ranging from online MCA courses to B.A. and B. Com to M.A. and MSc. Furthermore, it is currently feasible to complete a Ph.D. via online learning.
7.) Online and Distance Education Based on Self-Learning: Teachers are not able to mentor students along the way because they are not physically present in the classroom. This is one of the widespread misconceptions about virtual learning that has prevented a lot of students from pursuing online education. On the other hand, online course teachers are quite important in helping students. In online learning programs, instructors do the same tasks as in traditional learning environments: they give directions, explain ideas, provide comments, and lead conversations. Students can communicate with their lecturers whenever necessary through email, discussion boards, and other venues.
Summing Up!
Myths about online education have been debunked, and it now offers a strong substitute for traditional education. People can make well-informed decisions about pursuing virtual education and take advantage of the advantages of flexibility, accessibility, high-quality learning experiences, and more by knowing the truth behind the myths surrounding online courses. You now have a far clearer understanding of what online learning is truly like. To discover more about online and distance learning courses, contact EduTantra and take advantage of their free career counseling service. As with a regular university, you can have an excellent experience at a time that works for you provided you give your program choice significant thought.