Online courses are a form of distance learning. The courses are portable and available where you are. You don't have to go somewhere to take the course; it comes to you. You can access an online course at the time and place that is most convenient to you. You can move around, be transferred anywhere in the world or travel extensively and still access online classes.
Another advantage of online learning is that you can go at your own pace. Whether your busy schedule leaves you little time for learning, or you need more time to learn a particular concept, or you want to accelerate through the material, online learning offers the flexibility you need.
Typically, online courses are structured for adult learning. That makes it easier for most people to learn the material and helps you apply the material in the real world. You learn what you need to know when you need to know it.
E-learning is often used for workplace training because workers can take the class when it is most convenient and workers can access information when they need it to do their jobs.
Online courses are usually more affordable than traditional courses. Not only are the course fees often lower, but you also don't have transportation costs to figure into the mix.
Disadvantages of Online Courses
Online learning has some disadvantages, too. Some people learn better in a traditional classroom. They need the live interaction with an instructor and other students. Online classes may try to simulate classroom interaction, but they cannot duplicate it.
In order to succeed at online learning, you have to have some specific skills. You have to be self-motivated, responsible for your own learning and have good time management skills. If you don't have those skills, traditional classes may be a better choice for you.
One huge disadvantage of online courses, especially if you are talking about e-learning grids and virtual educational communities, is accessibility. Not everyone has ready access to a computer with an internet connection. Without that access, online learning is hard.
Online education is so portable and flexible for so many people that it's easy to miss the disadvantages. If online education were the best choice for every person every time, we wouldn't need brick-and-mortar schools, would we? There are both advantages and disadvantages of online courses.
