Like anything in life, there is always good and bad in everything and Online Learning is no exception. Although online learning has more positivities than negativities; it is always a good idea to prepare for the worst. This article will help you to see both sides of online learning and give you a more realistic view.

Best Practices for Online Learning

Flexibility, efficiency, and reusability are a few benefits identified by the Ministerial Council of Education.

Flexibility: Allows you the learner the freedom to attend classes from whenever and wherever is convenient for you. Flexibility also means using systems that can adjust quickly and effectively for delivering learning and training. You choose when and how you want to study!

Efficiency: Minimizing time- as an Online Student you are able to register, access the learning and support materials, engage in collaborative discussions and give feedback , provide evaluation of the of the learning activity and access archived resources.

Reusability: Utilizing the information for multiple purposes such as documentation stored in a single repository can be made available to all.

Designed with the students in mind: Online Students can continue working while reaching their educational goals at the same time

24/7 accessibility: Access to support, online instructor, course work, assignments, and much more

Increased retention: According to research, most online students have a stronger grasp on the subject matter than their on-campus counterparts.

Reduced overall expenses: Travel expenses completely eliminated, no time spent commuting to and from school and lower tuition than traditional courses.

Interactive: As an online student, you are able to collaborate with your instructor and fellow online classmates via chat room, email and discussion board.

Online Learning Big Plus Points:

• Help desk contact and support available
• Forgotten password like and service available
• Interactive discussion space available
• Online Learning Forums
• Orientation to assist students available
• Free Online Learning available sometime
• Weblinks to other resources available
• Total accessibility to the site

The Worst of Online Learning

Some of the biggest problems with online learning are when the technology just does not function correctly. This can be a major problem and learners can get quite frustrated and discouraged. Technology problem may include:

• Slow bandwidth for Internet access
• Access of up-to-date software or hardware
• Speed of hardware or software.
• No online support available when needed
• Cannot access site
• No introduction program to assist users
• Lack of student teacher interaction
• Out-of-date programs
• Online links not working
• Confusing and poorly designed learning space

Overall the numerous benefits to online learning far outweigh the bad. Due to the increase in demand for online learning, it will continue to grow at a fast pace as the preferred method of training delivery. With that being said, if you are considering online learning or if you are already an online student, don’t let the bad turn you off from pursuing your academic goals.

If you have anything to add to the best and worst of online learning we would like to hear from you. It is always a pleasure to hear what online learners in particular have to say about their experiences as an online student.