Online learning in the future: Why it will continue to grow

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has meant that over the last year, an unprecedented number of people have been working from home. It has required many individuals to adapt to the new restrictions, staying home and adapting to the new way of working and studying.

One thing that the adaption to the 'new normal' has affected is the spike in interest and demand for online learning. We can now take many training courses online rather than in a traditional classroom setting. While online learning might present some initial challenges, there are also benefits that online learning brings, meaning online learning in the future is likely to continue to grow and become a standard way of studying.

In this article, we discuss online learning in the future and explore why online learning has become so popular.

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What is the future of online learning?

The interest in online learning has consistently increased in popularity over the last few years, even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world becomes increasingly digital, it’s natural that other areas of our lives will take place in an online setting.

There are many reasons online learning in the future is expected to grow exponentially, offering new possibilities for students and anyone who wants to improve their career prospects by studying for sought-after qualifications.

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Why online learning in the future will continue to increase in popularity

The global Coronavirus pandemic certainly fast-tracked the need for digitisation in areas falling behind (including education). We saw schools, colleges, and universities close or offer remote learning study options because of access restrictions in schools.

While the pandemic has resulted in many restrictions on our basic freedoms, the crisis has also highlighted the capabilities of digital in enabling people to connect online despite geographic boundaries.

As we continue to discover ways of digitising our lives, it is likely that the popularity of online courses will continue to grow as training providers strive to provide high-quality online learning experiences for prospective students.

The main benefits of online learning     

It's accessible - While traditional offline learning is very much limited by the number of students that can learn at one time, there are far fewer barriers to online learning. This means that online learning is far more accessible than traditional methods of learning.

Online learning is accessible in that it usually allows people to learn in their free time, meaning that those who must work to fund their studies can still take advantage of online courses. Additionally, online learning is more accessible to those with caring responsibilities.

Online learning can also often be easier for those with conditions like autism to learn in a controlled online setting rather than in an unpredictable classroom environment (which can often lead to sensory overload).         

It's flexible - Juggling priorities can be tricky for the modern worker, meaning that enrolling in a course is not a possibility for those who must manage the demands of family life and work with other commitments.

For those with busy schedules, online learning may be the answer. Unlike traditional learning, online learning frequently allows the learner to choose when they study. This might mean squeezing in a few hours after the kids go to bed, or first thing in the morning before you leave for work.  

With a bit of planning, it’s easy to study for a new qualification via online learning.                           

It's cost-effective - Online learning can also be a cost-effective option compared to traditional learning. Frequently, course providers like e-Careers provide online courses cheaper than traditional offline study methods.  

Online learning also makes it easier for learners to combine work with studying, meaning that they can continue to earn money while they study for a new qualification. Therefore, online learning makes financial sense for many.

You can learn at your own pace - Finally, online learning offers students the ability to learn at their own pace, making it easier to fit studying around their busy lives.

Sometimes when you may need to take a break from your studies for a short while. Arguably, online learning is a better option for those who would not benefit from a rigid, set timetable. Online learning provides learners with the freedom to control the pace of their learning experience.

If you're currently working from home, read our helpful guide on how to work from home effectively. 

Summary

In conclusion, there are plenty of reasons online learning is so popular and will continue to rise in the years to come. Online learning offers several key benefits which learners can take advantage of, and this method of studying is quickly becoming the standard method of studying, both currently and for the future.    

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