Every year, more and more Americans are choosing e-learning to achieve their goals, satisfy their curiosity and improve their job prospects. But what is online learning? What happens in an online classroom?
There are many methods of online learning and some are more effective than others. Before choosing a course or school online, it is important to think about the online learning methods that are right for you. Here are some things to consider.
When does the course begin?
Some online schools start classes at a specific time so students can go through the program together. Other schools allow students to start a class at any time and follow it at their own pace.
Think about your learning style: do you like to learn from others and exchange ideas with your classmates or do you prefer to be free to work at your own pace?
How will you communicate with teachers or tutors?
Some teachers or tutors communicate with students by email, while others use live video conferencing technologies. The more you have access to the teaching staff and the more interactive the contact method, the better. Video chat or live chat technology is always better than waiting for an answer to your email, and the best online courses always offer it.
Before registering for an online course, ask the school how often the teacher or tutor will be available and how you will reach them. Do teachers or tutors supervise online discussion group sessions? How often will they be online for an individual consultation? How long will they respond to email? This may seem obvious, but if you live in a different time zone than the teacher or tutor, check that their office hours do not fall in the middle of the night!
What is the required course material and how do you access it?
Some schools that are new to e-learning still use paper textbooks, but the most advanced schools use technology in their course materials. Does the school use digital audio and video files or electronic manuals? Do you have to pay extra to access these materials? Are they produced by experts in the field? And will you have access to the course material once the course is finished?
Before you register for an online course or program, think about your learning style and decide if you want classmates online or if you want to work at your own pace. Ask how you will communicate with your teacher or tutor. If you can consult them individually via videoconference, you will probably have a better online learning experience.
Finally, find out about the teaching material. Look for courses that provide free interactive digital material that you can keep for as long as you need it.
With a little advanced research, it is not difficult to find online programs with expert teachers and high quality course material. Of course, you have to be careful when choosing a school, but online learning continues to grow for a reason: it’s a great way to learn.