Online learning is now the new way of learning, especially for Gen Z and millennials. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, more than half of all U.S. adults aged 18-29 have taken online courses at some point in their lives and almost one-third have completed an entire course from an accredited institution. The report also found that “younger generations are significantly more likely to use both traditional higher education institutions as well as alternative learning venues (e.g., MOOCs) compared with older generations.”
But it’s not just millennial who are embracing this new way of learning; Gen Z is even more enthusiastic about enrolling in college classes via online learning platforms like Coursera. According to a 2015 report from the University of Michigan, “the percentage of students enrolled in online classes has nearly doubled since 2009.”
Online education is being embraced by Gen Z because it allows them to learn without having to deal with the stress and anxiety that comes along with traditional classroom settings.
They can work at their own pace and schedule when they want instead of attending class on an already packed Monday morning or evening. The ability for people who are not comfortable speaking up in front of others (like myself) also makes this type of learning a breeze, as it’s not necessary to participate in class. In fact, the majority of people who use online learning platforms are doing so for this reason.
Benefits of Online Classes over Traditional Classes
There are a number of benefits to taking online classes, including:
- Flexibility and convenience – Unlike traditional classroom settings where you have to go when your professor tells you or is in the same room with hundreds of other students, online learning platforms allow for flexibility and convenience that come from working at one’s own pace. This allows people who aren’t comfortable speaking up in front of others (like me) more freedom than they would otherwise be afforded by attending class on campus every day.
2 . Time-saving tools like virtual whiteboards – These are similar to what we have at home, but they are far more advanced and allow for a lot of extra features. These tools can be used in conjunction with online learning platforms to make the process even easier and faster.
3 . Accessibility – Online classes have become much more accessible than ever before thanks to mobile devices like laptops or iPads that people can bring along on their own schedule without having to worry about being late for class or missing something important because of it. The ability these days is also available through video conferencing technology which allows students who aren’t comfortable speaking up in front of others (like me) to participate in class.
What are the best online learning platforms?
There are many online learning platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Edx. The best online learning platform is the one that you can trust and get the most value from.
Udemy: This platform offers an extensive library of courses on a variety of topics like web design, business, marketing, photography, etc.
Coursera: Coursera is also a great platform with a vast library of courses in various topics like computer science, engineering, etc.
Edx: Edx is also another good option with diverse course content on various subjects including humanities and social sciences.
GoSocial: GoSocial lets you join online communities and learn with experts. You can also attend online workshops and take online courses related to Photography on this platform.
Are there any drawbacks to using an online learning platform?
In order to answer this, we need to understand some key things related to online learning platforms like: What is an online learning platform?
What are the benefits of using an online learning platform? and finally what are the drawbacks of using an online learning platform.
Simply put: An online learning platform is a website or app that allows people to learn new skills in a self-paced environment.
Benefits of using an online learning platform include:
- It can be used anywhere and at any time without any restrictions.
- It offers flexibility and control over the way you learn.
- There is no pressure on time as you can take your time with whatever task you have chosen for yourself to do within your scheduled time frame.
- You can be able to track your progress through various metrics like number of lessons completed, number of activities completed, amount of questions answered correctly, etc., which motivates you further towards achieving your goals faster than ever before!
Drawbacks of using an online learning platform:
- It is not a substitute for real-life interaction and face-to-face classes in terms of quality, relevance, or effectiveness.
- There are no human teachers present who can guide you throughout your journey towards becoming better at something else other than reading about it on the internet! So be sure that you will only learn what has been taught by someone else and nothing more!
