Many parents and students were hesitant about taking an online course versus a bricks and mortar classroom. They just couldn’t see how the internet could replicate a process that revolves around so much personal interaction. The internet has revolutionized many industries and the same thing took place in the education space. After 20 years of research it is obvious now that online education has surpassed bricks and mortar education in terms of effectiveness.
How and when did this all happen?
The 3 main changes that brought about these improvements happened in the fields of infrastructure, technology, and pedagogy.
- Infrastructure: Billions of dollars have been invested globally in fibber optic cable networks that connect the world. Broadband internet became affordable and high volumes of data to are streamed to any location in the world. This increased the reach of online classes.
- Technology: The increase in bandwidth has change the way online content is consumed. A decade ago most websites and internet content were text-based.
- Pedagogy: Educators experimented and developed new tools for teaching online. As a result, the effectiveness of online education quickly improved. Now teachers who teach online have way more tools at their disposal than a bricks and mortar teacher.
Here are the key elements that make online superior to offline!
- Easy to use: There is no software and no installation. All you need is a web browser.
- Flexibility: Take your class from anywhere and at any time. All lessons are saved as videos that students can access at any time.
- Privacy: Worried about slowing down the rest of the class or looking like second best in front of others? Don’t. You can always chat privately with a teacher!
- Intuitive interface: You always have the “best seat in the house” and can find everything in one screen at a click of a button.
- Interactive syllabus: A constantly adjusted syllabus with alerts so you always know what’s coming up.
- Track your progress: Our adaptive learning system shows what you have mastered and what your strengths and weaknesses are.
- Automatic grading of assignments: Sick of waiting to get your test back, only to find it covered with illegible red scrawls? We automatically grade all assignments and presents students with immediate feedback and explanations.
- Interactive content: Most questions and concepts are gamified.
- It’s green: Last but not least online classes store all the content digitally. It saves trees!
