Today more than ever it is important to know the advantages and disadvantages of studying online. In a world whose digitization was exponentially accelerated by Covid-19, studying online is something every student must get used to.
Even today, online education is seen as the “new normal”, and as long as there is no face-to-face return to school it will continue to figure in our lives. All over the world, from elementary school to Ivy League university, educational institutions have had to adapt their educational models to the online world.
This new concept of education revolves around online education. Online learning today is a necessary resource for all students and schools around the world and this has been further accelerated by the pandemic.
According to a Statista report, 49% of the world’s student population entered an online course in the last 12 months. And 95% of students said they were satisfied with online education.
If you are a student and are currently taking classes online, you know exactly what we mean. But studying online also has many advantages and disadvantages. We have more freedom and flexibility, without travel times, etc. but at the same time it also has its disadvantages. Many times we lack that human contact, in addition to being glued to a screen is tiring, as well as being available all the time can lead to extra hours of study and work.
Despite this, the demand for online classes will continue to increase. That is why we want to solve all your doubts about the advantages and disadvantages of studying online.
Let’s look at some advantages and disadvantages of distance education.
Advantages of studying online
1. Efficiency
Online education provides teachers and students with various ways of learning. Online education has a large number of tools that teachers can use for their classes and syllabi. For example: videos, podcasts, files, games, etc. By having various tools, educators become more efficient. At the same time, students learn with different formats and tools, giving them a complete and dynamic vision of learning. Efficiency is just an advantage of studying at a distance.
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2. Accessibility
As you well know, another advantage of studying online is that you can attend a class from any location. So as long as you have a stable internet connection, you can avoid the worry of missing a class. In addition to this, another advantage of studying online is that it allows schools and universities to reach a greater number of students since it is not restricted by geographical locations and time zones.
Additionally, lectures and lectures can be recorded, archived and saved to be shared whenever and wherever. In this way, students can access the study material at the times they want. Therefore, online classes offer students the accessibility of time and space in their education.
3. Price
Another advantage of studying remotely is the reduced costs. Online education is much cheaper than face-to-face education. The reasons are pretty obvious. There is no cost of transportation for students, cost of facilities and maintenance, food, among others.
4. Environment
Since all the resources and tools are available on the internet, online education is totally paperless, no books, texts and documents have to be printed. This is a great advantage of studying online as it helps protect and take care of the environment by eliminating all traces of paper. In addition, other harmful effects on the environment such as transportation are eliminated when students access their courses on the internet.
5. Greater assistance
If you are a teacher, this is a great advantage of studying online. Since online classes can be taken from any location, students are less likely to miss a class.
6. Learning styles
As we mentioned previously, online education provides a large number of tools and ways of learning. All students have different ways of learning and knowing, so an advantage of studying at a distance is that it offers them different learning formats. Some learn best with videos, others with audio, or simply by reading. Also, if you are an easily distracted student, studying online prevents you from being interrupted by other people and groups.
In this way, online education, with its wide variety of resources and tools, can be personalized and adapted to the needs of each student.
But online education is not perfect and has many areas of opportunity. Let’s look at some disadvantages of studying online.
Disadvantages of studying online
1. Attention to the screen and distractions
We all learn in different ways. One of the biggest challenges of studying at a distance is the inability to be fully focused on a screen or device. With online education, it is more tempting for students to access their social networks or other sites instead of being focused on what is displayed on the screen. If teachers want to avoid this disadvantage of studying online, they must make their online classes fresh, dynamic and interactive to capture the attention of their students.
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2. Technological problems
We have all struggled with our internet at some time. Whether the signal is bad, or the internet is simply failing, it is frustrating not having a stable connection to take your classes online. Technology problems are a disadvantage of studying online since it is necessary to have continuity and an active presence in classes. The good news is that our world is increasingly connected. According to portal Data Reporter, more than 60% of the world’s population has internet access and this number will continue to increase.
3. Social isolation
Despite the many advantages of studying online, a very important element that is lacking is human contact and interaction. Many students learn best in the company of their colleagues, so distance education can create a feeling of isolation and loneliness. Therefore, it is essential that educational institutions provide other forms of contact between students, peers and teachers. This can be online messages, WhatsApp groups, emails, as well as video calls that help reduce social isolation.
4. Teacher training
Even if you know exactly how to use the latest educational tools, this does not mean that all teachers are as tech savvy as you are. Many teachers are unfamiliar with the latest features and tools so they are sometimes unable to deliver the class in the best possible way. However, with good education and training, this disadvantage of studying online can be avoided. And if any teacher doesn’t know how to turn on their camera, have some compassion. Not all are experts.
5. Screen time
Sitting in front of a screen all day can be tiring. We currently live in a world surrounded by screens, from our cell phones to our televisions, screens are present wherever we go. Therefore, it is important to rest from your screen constantly to avoid eye strain. And it is also important to know how to have a good posture in front of your computer. Your back and your eyes will appreciate good ergonomics.
6. Burnout
Finally, another disadvantage of studying online is burnout. Although we normally associate burnout with the office, it also happens with distance education. As long as one has an internet connection, in a way, it will always be “available”. This can result in the student being contacted by peers or teachers during “non-work” hours which can lead to a level of fatigue and stress known as burnout. It is important to know how to prevent burnout syndrome.
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Online education is here to stay. We live in an increasingly connected and digitized society where most of us are just a few clicks away. Online education offers multiple advantages. On the one hand, you have more freedom and flexibility to work, as well as take a weight (literally) off your wallet. But it also brings with it several disadvantages. Sitting for a long time in front of a screen is tiring, the lack of social and human contact is strange. That being said, the advantages of studying online outweigh its disadvantages.
Currently there are many platforms to study online like the page you are visiting at this precise moment. And online education will continue to grow. The offer of online courses is rich and diverse, with topics and subjects of everything and for everyone. If you are interested in learning from home and enriching your knowledge, we invite you to subscribe to Crehana’s online courses. We are sure that you will find the ideal one for you.
Good luck!
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