The alternative to online higher education has been becoming more popular in recent years. 30 percent of Americans now take online classes, while 15 percent choose to take an online degree. Aside from the various platforms, universities, and individuals offering online courses, this shows how popular online degrees have become.
The flexibility offered by enrolling in an online degree is certainly on top of the reasons more people are choosing them. Studying anywhere anytime and at no certain pace was clearly the dream of many.
The demand for online courses that don’t seem to be declining anytime soon has induced universities to offer hybrid degrees that are mainly online but require campus attendance occasionally.
Nevertheless, doubts have been emerging about the quality of online learning. A study which was recently conducted by Florida University has found that 70% of academic leaders rate online degree students’ learning outcome as good or better than campus students.
Considering that online education offers superior learning quality, this could be the green light for more universities around the world to recognize online higher education and reap its advantages including the ones in the national economy.
Higher education is clearly a key driver of a nation’s economic growth, as It shapes the future workforce and drives innovation. Online higher education can significantly cut the costs of learning and offer equality in access to more students. It can also cut the costs of learning with fewer assets and workers.
Online degrees can also save time, with the implementation of technology set to make it more effective and smart in the future.
A combination of alignment with the labor market needs, high-quality courses, and fewer costs will definitely have positive effects on learners and many future effects on the national economy with a better workforce in every field.
The easier career advancement while obtaining a degree is revolutionary and improved with online degrees, as students can organize their schedules freely with no specific times for logging in or taking tests or lectures. This will give many students the ability to work and learn.
Other aspects of online learning include the more variety of courses and universities each student will be offered, customized learning environments that can boost concentration, and environmental effects represented in saving gas and reducing maintenance of vehicles.
Broader access, saving time and costs in addition to easier career advancement will surely show numerous benefits on individuals’ lives and education which will be more clearly reflected on national development of countries in the near future with more talented, self-disciplinary and innovative workers in many sectors.
