1.

Variety of programs and courses:

Almost every college offers a variety of online courses for varying degrees. From career
certificate programs, to doctoral programs, and everything in between. Higher education
today offers more options to students than ever before.

2.Lower total costs:

In some cases, online programs can prove to be a more affordable option. Although
tuition expenses may not always be lower, the other expenses associated with higher
education might be. For instance, there are no commuting costs, and very often
instructors might offer online text or learning materials so that students do not have to
purchase textbooks.

3.More comfortable learning environment:

Have you ever seen images of students in an online class while in their pajamas? Well
that’s often a highlight of learning online. As, someone who has taken online classes, I
much prefer to take a 3-hour course from the comfort of my own couch rather than a
hard, uncomfortable chair in a classroom. It’s also more comfortable when I can take a
needed bathroom break, get up to stretch my legs, or even grab something to eat,
whereas in a classroom environment, that may not be possible. The best part about it is
that after a long day, and a long class, there’s not much of a commute from the couch to
the bed.

4.Convenience and flexibility:

Most higher education students are juggling a work/life balance in addition to their
academic responsibilities. The appeal of online learning for some is the fact that they
have the flexibility to learn on their own time. For many online learners, earning a
degree would not be possible if they did not have the option of online education. Most
online learners appreciate the fact that they can log on after they put the kids to bed, or
on weekends, or on the commute home. For many, flexibility is key.

5.More interaction and greater ability to concentrate:

While many might argue that online learning does not provide enough opportunity for
student interaction, online learning actually invites in a variety of collaborative social
opportunities. From my own personal experience, I’ve had more meaningful interaction
through my online learning experience than I ever did in face to face classroom settings.
I knew all of my classmates by name, we talked on several occasions, and provided
support to one another when it was needed. Online learning provides a community
atmosphere that adds a key social element into the learning experience.
6.Career advancement:
Online courses are accessible to anyone, especially those who are looking to switch
careers, get a degree to advance their career, or to increase salary. Students can take
courses while working, in-between jobs, and even while raising their families. Earning a
degree while juggling other responsibilities can show prospective employers
ambitiousness and the desire for continued professional development.

7.Continue in your profession: 

The advantage of taking online classes while you are working is that you do not have to
choose between leaving your job and taking classes. You can continue to work your
normal hours while simultaneously furthering your education. Many companies also
offer education incentives, and some companies will even pay tuition costs.

8.Avoid commuting
Whether you live in a big city or a rural suburb, commuting can not only be frustrating,
but costly. Many online students report saving money on gas, tolls, or public
transportation when taking classes online. They also appreciate the time it saves them.
As someone who has had to commute to class, it often took two hours out of my day in
commuting as well as up to $30 per week in commuting costs.

9.Improve your technical skills

Even a basic online course requires the development of new computer skills. Taking
online classes exposes the student to learning how to use different LMSs (learning
management systems) to incorporate audio/video into assignments, sharing documents,
and even to take some online training workshops.

10.The ability to attend class no matter the

circumstances
This by far was one of the biggest appeals to online learning for me. If I wasn’t feeling
well, I wasn’t forced to miss class and fall behind on assignments. I was still able to
attend class from my bed and to stay on top of my work. In addition, this can be helpful
for parents with sick children. If they are forced to stay home and take care of their sick
children, they can still log on to class, and do not have to deal with the added stress of
falling behind on their coursework.

If I were going to add an eleventh advantage, I would add one on behalf of the
instructors teaching these online courses. While every single one of these advantages
does also apply to the instructor, the most important advantage for instructors, in my
opinion, is that teaching online classes forces the instructor to get creative with their
instruction. An online course is most successful when instructors think outside the box
when creating online assignments. This can be incredibly rewarding and fun for an
instructor as well as the student. Both parties need to have the right attitude when going
into online learning. In my experience, my passion for learning and my excitement for
expanding my technology skills fueled my success in online education. As an instructor,
or a student, your passion for education must be greater than your fears of technology.
Whether you are a novice computer user or advanced, online learning is universal, and
can be extremely advantageous to those who are willing to learn.

Author’s Bio: Jaclyn Gulinello is currently attending the graduate school of technology

at Touro College, and is pursuing a degree in Educational Technology. While Jaclyn is
currently on the corporate track, she also has a background in education and obtained a
B.A. in Early Childhood Education with a minor in speech communications. Jaclyn
would like to apply her knowledge of teaching methods, creativity skills and her interest
in emerging technologies to eventually become an instructional designer. She is
currently working on various projects as an Instructional Design Intern at Touro College,
and will go on to become an ID upon her graduation in June 2020 from the Touro
Graduate School of Technology.

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