EXPLORING THE BENEFITS OF

ONLINE EDUCATION

Jennifer Hernandez

WHAT IS ONLINE EDUCATION?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “online learning is education that takes place via electronic media linking instructors and students who are not together in a classroom.”

THE HISTORY In 1985, National Technological

University became the first school to offer online degree courses via satellite transmission (Forbes.com)

By the year 2000, learning over the internet became more common throughout universities. Mostly for-profit universities were actually embracing the change.

THE MYTH…

Online learning has earned the reputation in the past as being known to be not as challenging as on campus classes.

VARIETIES OF ONLINE LEARNING

Fully Online

Blended

Online Learnin

g

THE FACTS Schools are now more

than ever taking advantage of distance learning.

According to CCA consulting, nearly 50% of higher education institutions currently engage in some type of online learning (http://blackboardsupport.calpoly.edu/).

Higher Ed Universities

Engag-ing in Online LearningNot En-gaging in Online Learning

BENEFITS OF EMBRACING ONLINE EDUCATION

FLEXIBILITYOnline education offers flexibility for students who have many other commitments in their life. Online education allows professionals to continue their careers while working towards a degree. 24/7 Access No time commitments No travel required Build your own schedule Maintain your full time job

EQUALITYAnother great benefit to learning online is to give all students a reinforced sense of equality. Each individual has the same opportunity to "speak up" by posting messages without typical distractions such as seating arrangements, volume of student voices, and gender biases.

More opportunities to engage Less anxiety about speaking Encouragement to connect with instructors

DEGREE AVAILABILITYChoosing to take your degree or courses online now expands your choices of degrees from schools out of your local area. More

DegreeOptions

UrbanRural

OVERVIEW Flexibility Equality Degree availability

Online learning has come a long way since its beginnings, and more advancement are likely to come. I hope by now you have a clearer understanding of all the benefits online education can bring to you.

REFERENCES Kubala

, Tom. Addressing Student Needs: Teaching and Learning on the

Internet.THE Online Journal. March 1998. Changing Course: Ten Years of Tracking

Online Education in the United States, 2013

BlackBoard Educational Benefits of Online Learning, 1998

Online Learning, Merriam-Webster Dictionary