When historically established methods in any industry are challenged, reimagined, developed and redistributed, a period of acclimatisation for everyone involved is inevitable.
Even the first Industrial Revolution initially fell flat due to the opposition of sceptics, those who were fearful of change, and the machine-smashing luddites. However, there do exist irrepressible waves of change, and if the modernisation of traditional education is a requirement moving into the current fourth Industrial Revolution, prevalent distance education is something we should very much start getting used to.
Here are five problems new students enrolling on online courses might run into, but don’t worry, we’ve also included ways to overcome these concerns so you can make the very best of your online learning opportunities.
Struggles to adapt
Problem: The prospect of having an entire university experience compacted into a personal electronic device is unusual to say the least. It can be unnerving for students who have only ever known traditional classroom settings. Traditionally, a degree of passivity is expected during lectures, particularly when note-taking and listening, while discussion with tutors is allotted a limited time. Online learning demands springing into action, accepting course material in a variety of multimedia formats, and taking part in online discussions which can continue indefinitely.
Solution: First and foremost, an open heart and mind is necessary to be able to accept change and reap the many benefits of e-learning. Secondly, an understanding of the advantages of online education is essential. You can then utilise all of the benefits e-learning can afford you – empowering flexibility, personal tutor guidance, worldwide contact network, 24/7 access to course materials and student support. Once you get started on your online course, you may wonder how you ever learned any other way.
Credibility
Problem: Often, the worth of online learning is not fully trusted, nor given the respect it deserves. Though qualifications are accredited by esteemed university institutions, validity and credibility is met with scepticism because the format is relatively new, and the progress of students is not overseen in the flesh. The perceived value in attending a campus institution, the social education, is also viewed as something not to miss, which can lead to cynicism when considering enrolling in online degree programmes.
Solution: As far as the worth of online education is concerned, employers tend to see the benefit of hiring those who have succeeded online because of the implicit job skills e-learning requires – discipline, initiative, and time-management, as well as technological familiarity. Plus, accreditation from institutions like The University of Law, the UK’s oldest specialised legal training provider, or DeBroc School of Business, is gold-standard in terms of quality of materials and tuition, no matter if you’re on campus or studying online. In relation to the sociability of online learning, remember, you have the flexibility to study anywhere, anytime. Manage your time well, and you might end up with even more time to socialise than your on-campus counterparts. Plus, more money to socialise with.
Outdated hardware and software
Problem: Online learning makes standardised education accessible to students all around the globe. This is a spectacular advantage for online education providers, students in remote locations, and those without the funds to commence traditional campus study programmes where fees and student debt frequently eclipse the joy of learning. However, e-learning does require the necessary computer equipment to run online learning platforms. This can potentially pose problems for students and schools with old, outdated hardware and software.
Solution: While a host of obvious solutions may spring to mind – getting a newer computer, for example – for some that simply may not be possible. However, there are solutions offered by e-learning providers that tackle a wide range of problems faced by students. Course materials are downloadable, which means given time and a little organisation an entire course can be downloaded and the materials studied offline. Learning platforms may also employ a nifty video feature called “Dynamic Stream Switching”, which allows for varying strength of connection and bandwidth in real-time. That means your content always streams, no matter what speed of internet connection is available to you.