Dispelling The Most Common Myths About eLearning
Why are there still so many myths about eLearning? The fact is, online education is in trend today. Statistics say it all:
- Online learning is eco-friendly, as it consumes 90% less energy.
- 46% of college students take at least one course online.
- In 2014, $56 billion has been spent on eLearning industry. Just for your information, it poised $107 billion in 2015.
- About 70% of companies believe that online learning helps their workers keep eyes on the ball with time.
The paradox is, many students still consider eLearning something of little mark, despite its popularity. And the problem is, students still believe numerous myths about eLearning, which makes them lose the opportunity to get benefits from it.
What can we do solve the problem?
First of all, let's dispel the most common myths about eLearning to put the things right and save students from traps these myths prepare for them.
1. eLearning Is Easier
Truth: Earning a degree online is as challenging as doing it at traditional colleges or universities. Yes, you are flexible to choose when to study, but you still have the same amount of tasks to do, essays to write, exams to pass, and other assignments to accomplish.
More importantly, students should be good in time management when study online, as they have no one to remind about due dates.
2. eLearning Is All About No Interaction
Truth: Although you are not in a classroom physically, it doesn't mean you can't interact with fellow students and instructors: Phone, messengers, video chats, emails – they all make eLearning interactive. Some educators practice lessons via Periscope while others have online office hours twice a week to discuss questions you might have on the course.
Author's note: With students being digital today, it may appear that they have more interaction when learning online than when sitting at lectures in classrooms. Plus, with a variety of websites that help students get new skills online, it becomes more exciting for them to interact with fellows and experts from all over the world:
- Code School, Udacity, and MC2 Math Resources – for those wanting to become math and computer nerds.
- Busuu and Duolingo – for those learning foreign languages.
- Learnist and TED – for those wanting to broaden their horizons.
- Udemy and Coursera – for those looking for… everything.
3. eLearning Makes It Easier To Cheat
Truth: Although students believe they can easily cheat while taking courses online, instructors have many tools to help them spot this cheating, aka plagiarism, for example. In addition to software, some courses require a physical presence during tests and exams, or they ask students to use a webcam to prove their identification.
4. eLearning Isn't Respected By Employers
Truth: Someone still overrates a diploma from traditional universities, considering it a sign of knowledge and skills that can't be gained online. At the same time, many top colleges provide online courses offering the same curricula and standards as their on-campus classes. That is why employers are flexible about online learning, as they try to keep up with the times and stay in trend.
5. eLearning Is Of Lower Quality Than Offline Courses
Truth: Educational institutions are strict and serious when it comes to online courses, and they run all courses through a rigorous certification process. Plus, online courses might be even better than traditional ones: They make teachers communicate differently, thinking about engagement and effectiveness of their work.
6. eLearning Encourages Procrastination
Truth: Although online learning gives the impression that you have enough time to complete all assignments, so you can postpone learning to finish it later, that's far from reality. When learning online, a student needs to be motivated and independent, setting and following schedules, as well as managing the flexibility of their online course.
7. eLearning Is Not About Personalization
Truth: With personalization being a trend of eLearning since 2014, some students still believe they won't get enough attention from instructors. Since interactions are not face-to-face in eLearning, they are planned, however, in a way to engage learners in a dialogue. It's impossible to remain anonymous and "quiet" if you want to succeed and make the most out of your online course.
Today students can take many benefits from eLearning, such as motivation, interaction, big choice of courses, and time.
Education becomes available to the wider audience in our digital era, so there are no reasons to believe old hat myths about online education. Try it, and you'll see where the truth is.
