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Online training program
22.06.2020 753 0
Every year the number of online schools and courses grows, and it seems that almost any profession can now be obtained without leaving home. What are the pros and cons of online learning, who is this format of learning suitable for, we will analyze in today's article.
Definition of “Online Learning”
Surely you have come across different terms, such as: e-learning, electronic or distance learning. All this can be attributed to online learning, i.e. obtaining an education through access to the Internet from a computer or mobile device without the need to visit an educational institution.
There is currently a rapid process of digitalization of the educational process, the EdTech direction is actively developing, the introduction of high technologies in the learning process. Such non-standard methods of audience engagement as edutainment (edutainment - game learning) and virtual reality technologies are becoming popular.
Online education removes many seemingly unsolvable issues related to the inaccessibility of education to certain audiences, and also reduces the cost of education while maintaining high quality.
Most often, online learning is conducted using video lessons (asynchronous format, recorded lessons) or webinars (synchronous format, lessons in real time). A webinar is a presentation, lecture, seminar or training in an online broadcast format.
Why are more and more universities moving online? The answer is obvious:
the course can be recorded once and then broadcast to an unlimited number of users (the MOOC format, which is used, for example, by Coursera);
if adjustments to the programs are required, they can be made in a couple of hours, without having to rewrite the entire curriculum;
motivated students (especially if the course is for adults);
economic feasibility;
Who is online learning suitable for?
Online learning erases boundaries - you can live in a small village in the Urals and study at the best universities in the world.
Schoolchildren, studying online, are more quickly immersed in the digital environment and learn to interact with new information carriers and new formats.
And the adult audience gets the opportunity to take only the knowledge and skills that will be needed in practice, without having to sit down at a desk again and “sit out” boring lectures, and also successfully combine study with work.
In addition, distance learning helps to master new professions in the shortest possible time (Internet marketing, programming, business management, etc.), for which there are no official university programs yet, but specialists are needed right now.
Choosing online learning allows students to:
independently choose the schedule and pace of learning;
choose the program and the start date of the course;
do homework at a convenient time and receive feedback on it;
do not spend money on buying textbooks and manuals - all you need for studying is a computer and internet access;
return to viewing lessons and materials at any time;
Online training is rapidly penetrating the corporate segment. More morocco phone number library and more companies choose to train employees on special training platforms, ordering courses from contractors or creating programs within the organization. This allows employees to improve their skills without interrupting their work, gives the manager the opportunity to immediately see progress and save budgets on offline training costs (travel, absence from the workplace, inviting expensive speakers to speak live).
What questions should you ask when choosing an online learning program?
The online course market is constantly growing, and among the offers you can find courses from large, well-established schools, as well as from private experts. Unfortunately, the principle of “prestige” of an educational institution does not work online yet, as it does with classical universities.
The reason is that courses on different topics are written by different (usually invited) speakers. And even in an expensive online school, you may find training that does not meet your expectations. This is the downside of studying in online schools.
To avoid disappointment, we recommend that you ask yourself a number of questions before choosing a specific offer:
Is it possible to try out a few lessons of a course for free before deciding to buy? Schools that are confident in the quality of their material are happy to offer a trial period or demo access.
Are there any requirements for students or do they take everyone? This is especially true for courses on professional retraining.
Are there homework assignments and support from tutors? This is a guarantee that your result will be higher and you will save a lot of time on independently searching for errors;
Recorded course or live lessons? All other things being equal, live training will be more relevant. If you like the course, but it is recorded, then find out when the recording was made.
Is there technical support? Contacting technical support allows you to quickly resolve issues with access to the course.
Is there a final test or thesis that you can use to get recommendations and measure your progress?
Is the school accredited? This is especially important if you are studying at a branch of an international school or want to learn a new profession and confirm it with an official certificate.
Where to apply the knowledge gained online?
Most often, graduates of online programs strive either for professional growth, or want to develop soft skills (trans-professional skills), or want to improve in their favorite hobby.
To choose an effective online learning program to achieve your goals, you should act consistently:
conduct a survey among colleagues and acquaintances, collect feedback;
collect information on the Internet and make a preliminary list of programs;
study course reviews and graduate feedback;
get demo access to the course or sign up for a free lesson;
compare programs, course start dates and prices;
choose the best offer for yourself;
By doing this, you will get the most out of online learning without running into any
