Online Learning – A Trend that Journeyed with New Innovations for Career Builders

Since classroom learning dominated for generations, the majority of students, educators and even employers had a belief that there cannot be any other reliable mode of obtaining education. But later when the World Wide Web started easing lives of people, the concept of online education popularised. Despite, a lot of critics had their brows raised in regard to the implementation of such courses into schools, colleges and universities. However, the factors that led people to take up online learning strategies were temperament and self-realisation.

From postal orders to BYOD

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Earlier, distance learning courses were conducted through postal orders and students used to receive their study materials on their personal addresses. Later, the major factor that made online education globally popular was the rapid growth in technology. With the launch of a wide range of digital learning tools, students realised the worth of choosing such a learning mode that can let them study at their own convenience and save a good deal of money.

Although the idea of using digital learning tools and apps for studies came later, there were those dial-up connections that used to be the initial source of connecting students to the virtual platforms. Even the blackboards today have been replaced with new electronic whiteboards that make online learners take more interest in their studies. In fact, the concept of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) learning is slowly grabbing attention of school and university administrators, and experts have even predicted that there will be a time when students would be entering classrooms with their own kindles and tablets instead of books.

As per recent reports:

In the United States, over 2 million undergraduates and 650,000 graduates were reported to be studying at distance

The majority of these students were found to be either over 20s or were balancing their professional and personal duties

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The fact that online education is growing in popularity with the passage of time has been proved with the worldwide acceptance of the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Moreover, reports said that 6 universities were added to edX, one of the world’s renowned online learning platforms. As per the researchers, MOOCs have already created hype on a global basis and now they are aiming to enable students and working professionals obtain quality education.

As per the Online College Students 2012: Comprehensive Data on Demands and Preferences:

Around 14% of the students were found to enrol in full-time online courses for completing higher studies

31% of the students were found to enrol in at least one online course

Even countries in Africa are now making smarter moves in implementing online courses for remote students. Nigeria was recently declared to be the only African nation with the highest population of internet users and the Iranian government has also taken the initiative to get scholarship programme for the Nigerian students.

So, online education can be called a future resolution for new age learners who would be rather exposed to new opportunities and high career prospects. What we need to find out now are the new innovations and implementations that would give virtual learners a new set of expectations to meet their career goals with ease.

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Digital Education is Gaining Relevance even in African Nations

 

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In this digital era, it’s quite surprising to find many students still asking about the effectiveness of studying online. Where not less than 90% of the jobs today are demanding candidates with digital literacy, students and career professionals are getting more concerned towards taking up courses online.

Spending 5 to 6 hours for attending lectures in a brick and mortar classroom is turning out to be an ineffective option for new age learners. Probably, this is why a lot of online learning providers are now giving career aspirants the opportunity to complete higher studies with ease and convenience. Moreover, the Babson Survey Research Group has given a crystal clear report of the demand of online courses over the past years:

• More than 6.7 million students enrolled in various post secondary online courses in the year 2011

•  9 years ago in the year in 2002, only 1.6 million students enrolled online for completing higher studies

• In 9 years, about 5 million students were added, and this clearly indicated the growth of online learning

• In the year 2002, there were around 72% of online schools, and surprisingly, it went up to 87% in the year 2012.

African nations marching towards online education

Certain countries under the African continent have switched to the concept of studying online. For instance, Nigeria has shown massive developments in their education standards over the years. A country where the education standards were not up to the mark till a decade ago now takes pride in offering online courses and hence gives students the opportunity to enrol in accredited online colleges under UK university.

What it means is that the Nigerian students who had always craved for studying under world class universities will not have to travel overseas anymore and enrol in a full-time course under a university. Instead, being in Nigeria, they can enrol in any of the online colleges under an accredited UK university from any corner of the world in any course they wish.  

What other benefits can the Nigerian students enjoy by studying under UK universities?

Although there are numerous reasons behind the support provided by UK universities for students in Nigeria, getting better job opportunities is certainly one of the biggest advantages. In fact, plenty of undergraduate and postgraduate courses are now offered online to let students remain exposed to high job prospects. 

Well, here are a few more ways through which Nigerian students can enhance their career opportunities by enrolling in UK universities:

• Courses offered by the UK universities are absolutely flexible that makes it easier for students to work and study with ease. One can complete a course online taking his/her own pace.

• Students can choose their online courses as per their lifestyle and convenience. This is why they are able to sustain a balance between their personal and professional lives.

• UK university qualifications carry immense value and therefore help career enthusiasts maximise job prospects.

• Apart from students and working professionals, people of different ages coming from diverse cultural backgrounds can enrol in an online course under an accredited UK university.

So, you see how Nigeria has made it possible to bring students a new ray of hope and expectations in completing higher studies affordably and conveniently. In fact, online courses are now proving to be so lucrative that students are considering them to be the ideal source of strengthening career prospects. The enrolment percentage in accredited online colleges is going high and experts are therefore feeling confident to treat it as a future resolution for students as well as working professionals. Let’s see what more rewards it brings in the long-run.