5 Ways Online Learning is Vital to Education

By: Rachel Kolman • March 9, 2023
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The benefits of a blended, online learning component in education are too great to ignore.

Many universities are aware of these benefits: about 90% of public institutions offer online classes. Plus, 75% of all college students have taken at least one course online in recent years.

There have been countless studies indicating the benefits of blended elearning environments, and students agree. The vast majority of students agree that online learning is just as good or about the same as in-person instruction.

Technology’s importance in the classroom and in educational institutions as a whole continues to increase now that blended learning environments have become the norm.

Some of the most impactful benefits of online learning to education institutions include:

  1. Increasing student learning by motivation through awards
  2. Reducing the need for physical space, which can increase enrollment size
  3. Many learning styles can be addressed
  4. Economies of scale through the reuse of materials
  5. Reducing overhead by transferring educational activities online

Let’s explore each of these factors below.

Motivation through awards

Motivation is a critical component of successful learning. Online learning can keep motivation high through awards and recognition, such as digital badges or certificates. These small digital tokens can encourage learners to stay focused and gamify the learning process a bit. These awards can also be shared on social media, providing learners with a sense of achievement and recognition that can further motivate them to continue learning.

Increased enrollment size

One of the significant advantages of online learning is the ability to scale up enrollment sizes. Online courses can accommodate larger numbers of learners, with no need for physical classrooms or other overheads that might limit class sizes. This means that online learning platforms can reach more learners and provide education to a broader audience. Larger online classes can also result in a more diverse student body. This can lead to more robust options for discussions, collaboration, and peer learning.

Variety of learning styles

Online learning also makes education more accessible to a wider range of learners. Videos, podcasts, and interactive simulations can engage learners and facilitate different learning styles. This variety of learning styles can help ensure that all learners can access the material in ways that are best suited to their needs and preferences. Learners can grasp ideas in a way that makes the most sense to them, with the potential for higher levels of satisfaction.

Reusable materials

Online learning provides the opportunity to create and reuse educational materials. Materials can be updated and refined over time, making the courses more efficient, effective, and relevant. By reusing materials, online learning platforms can also reduce the time and resources needed to create new courses.

Reduced overhead

Online learning platforms do not require physical classrooms, equipment, or other resources that traditional courses need. This can lead to lower costs for enrollment, making education more accessible to a broader range of people. Rather than spending resources on maintaining physical spaces, online classes can focus on delivering high-quality content. This can lead to a more effective and efficient learning experience for both learners and instructors.

Online learning is here to stay

As our world becomes more online, be prepared to keep up with emerging trends in online education. LearnDash provides all the tools you need to create and manage an online course from your WordPress site. You own 100% of the courses that you create.

Rachel Kolman

Rachel Kolman has over 10 years of experience writing and editing for a variety of clients and brands. She is passionate about education, social change, pop culture, and video games. She lives in Seattle, WA with her husband and two cats.