What Is Online Education?

Online learning is a popular way to study, offering the adaptability of accessing education from anywhere, often on a flexible schedule. The onset of COVID-19 forced many course providers to switch to an online learning model, but years later, it has remained a preference for many. 

Global firm KPMG AG states that online learning is the fastest-growing market in education, with a 900 percent growth rate since 2000 [1]. With its many benefits, such as less expensive courses, flexible learning, and reduced energy consumption, online education looks set to stay. 

Discover more about types of online learning, who can access it, and its benefits and pitfalls. Also, explore steps to get the most out of your remote learning course. 

What is online education?

Online education, also called e-learning, remote learning, or distance learning, is offered online instead of in person. You study material via online video conference lectures and workshops or recorded videos and submit your work electronically. 

Online education is usually flexible. It allows you to study modules on time and receive credit when you complete them without traveling to a physical destination. 

Many course providers have taken advantage of the benefits of online education, with top universities offering online degrees, national industry bodies and technical companies offering certifications, and companies and organisations offering a range of nonaccredited courses. 

Degree courses 

Online education in degree format has grown in popularity in recent years. Previously reserved for mature students or those looking to return to education and access the Open University, many people now access online degrees from several universities. 

National and international universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees online, allowing you to study for a degree from anywhere in the world. You’ll find undergraduate and postgraduate degrees online from some of the UK's top universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge.

Basic skills and professional development 

Online courses come in all levels, with basic skills courses in English and maths on offer and online education courses offering foundation skills in various fields and disciplines for professional development. Course platforms like Coursera list courses from universities and training providers worldwide, which deliver anything from short courses to courses focusing on specific skills for various industries. Companies also offer internal online courses for staff. 

Professional certificates and certifications

Many technical organisations and industry bodies offer professional certificates and certifications for learning to use specific software or programs. Companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta offer a range of Professional Certificates. Organisations and institutes such as the Project Management Institute offer nationally recognised certifications, such as the Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. 

Who uses online learning?

You can access online learning whether you are a school leaver, a working professional, or someone who wants to learn for fun. Online education may appeal to you if you have commitments that stop you from accessing education in person, prefer the flexibility an online course offers, are looking to save money or want access to courses that are not local. 

Benefits of online learning

Online remote learning offers several advantages over a traditional in-person course. These are largely based on an online course's flexibility and advantages. Let’s take a look at some of the pros of online education. 

Earning a qualification from home

Online education means you can earn a qualification from the comfort of your own home or anywhere you’d like to study. These qualifications, in many cases, such as online degrees, are the same qualifications you earn in person, but with the ease of never having to attend a class in a physical location or giving up your career to do so. 

Often less expensive than in-person learning

Another benefit of online education is the price. Online courses are often more affordable than in-person courses because providers have no overheads for building costs, and online course delivery is less costly. You also save money on travel and accommodation costs, which may otherwise accrue while you study.

Flexible

You are not obligated to learn in person, so you have no commute, less rigid timetables, and the option to take a course from a university or course provider anywhere in the world, whether in proximity or thousands of miles away. Online learning is usually more flexible in structure, allowing you to set your timetable and fit studying around work and family commitments.  

Factors to consider 

While online education has many benefits, it may not be for everyone. Working independently requires self-motivation and can be lonely if you thrive in social settings. 

Isolation

Studying alone from home can be a solitary experience. While you may still have the opportunity to join study groups, lectures, and workshops online, you have no in-person interaction, which may be a negative for some. If you enjoy the social side of studying and the social life accompanying university education is important to you, online education may not be as well-suited for you as in-person education.

Need for self-motivation

Any type of study requires a certain level of motivation, but working alone on a flexible timetable requires more self-motivation and discipline than in-person learning, where you have the support of a class that would know if you were missing. Studying at home with more distractions requires great motivation and self-discipline. 

How to apply for online learning

Check the entry requirements for each online course. For an online degree course, you typically apply directly to the university via an online application form. The application form asks for details about your previous education, experience, and skills. The Open University follows a similar process, and if you have studied a higher education course before, you may be able to transfer course credit to reduce the length of your qualification requirements [2].

How to get the most out of online learning

Online learning requires a different skill set and preparation than in-person learning. To work online, you need to manage your time well, be self-disciplined, and create a learning environment free from distractions. Below are some steps to help you get the most out of online learning. 

1. Create a study plan.

Without structured lectures and timetables, creating a study plan is helpful so you have time scheduled for online learning. This can still be flexible, but having a plan helps keep you motivated and on target. 

2. Work in a comfortable environment.

Make sure you have a dedicated space to work with all the necessary equipment, free from distractions. Let family members know your study times so they don’t disturb you, and create a phone-free zone to stop scrolling and procrastination. 

3. Know who to contact for help.

Even when working online, you’ll have a contact like a tutor for help and to submit your assignments. Your tutor offers feedback on your work and is available to answer any questions you have about the course. 

4. Join a study group. 

Working remotely doesn’t mean you have to be in isolation. It’s important to have a network of people around you who can help you if you have a question, work on collaborative tasks, and generally understand the process of online learning. Joining a study group can achieve this by having people to work with, bounce ideas off of, and motivate each other.

Start your online learning with Coursera.

Online learning is a popular way to study, and various courses are available, from basic skills courses to professional certificates to online degrees. Consider starting your online degree with a programme listed on Coursera, such as a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of London.