With the advancement of technology and the reduction in the price of mobile devices, the number of individuals who own and use electronic devices has increased significantly in recent years. With a few taps of a smartphone or tablet, accessing the internet is now easier than ever. While the internet has impacted many things, including our television viewing habits and banking, it has also significantly impacted education.
The history of online education
Distance or remote working is vital when discussing online learning because it forms the basis of most online education programs. The earliest types of distance learning were devised to teach students how to write in shorthand. Caleb Philipps, whose advertisement in the Boston Gazette marketed a private course offering the chance to learn through weekly mailed lectures, presented the earliest recorded reference to ‘correspondence classes’ in 1728 Boston. Later, Sir Isaac Pitman, often considered the inventor of distance learning, began offering shorthand correspondence classes in the 1840s, and Pitman Shorthand is still in use today.
However, distance learning did not fully take off until 1858, when the University of London began offering degrees to students through what was known as its ‘external program.’ In subsequent years, external learning schemes were widely copied by other institutions, allowing students in other Commonwealth countries to study at a lower price. They are credited with being instrumental in forming British Higher Education, and accordingly, distance learning enrollment gradually increased over the decades.
Approximately a century after the formation of distance learning, technology began to have a more significant impact. While there are several historical examples of computers and technologies being used in education, e-learning, in the modern sense, is a relatively new concept. For example, slide projectors and television-based learning have been in schools since the 1950s. Yet, one of the world’s first instances of online education occurred in 1960 at the University of Illinois in the United States. Even though the internet had not yet been invented, students began learning through computer terminals joined together to form a network.
Then, in 1989, the University of Phoenix offered the first fully online bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Seven years later, in 1996, Glen Jones and Bernand Luskin founded Jones International University, the first authorized fully web-based university. Since these entirely online programs and colleges were established, distance learning has expanded exponentially, and it is estimated that one in four college students is enrolled in at least one online class. There are several reasons why this method of teaching snowballed in recent years. One such reason was the Covid pandemic, which accelerated online learning because most students were forced to stay home. However, online education was already gaining momentum way before the pandemic of 2020. Thus, the following section outlining the benefits of online learning helps create a picture of why online education has grown so much recently.
Benefits of online learning
For many students, the transition to online education was difficult. Students who were midway through their degrees were warned not to return to college after Spring Break. Furthermore, high school graduates, anxious to begin college careers, could not start classes in person. Educators, like students, had to learn how to navigate the online world. However, despite the numerous obstacles, students and educators have made remote learning a way of life.
Adapting to eLearning methods may be initially challenging for some people; however, these methods have several benefits. Whatever your motivation for online education, completing an online degree provides the qualifications for career progression and still enables people to show key skills to future employers the same way a traditional degree would. Here are some of the most significant advantages of online learning.
Flexibility – nowadays, many people are juggling education, family, and work responsibilities simultaneously. Therefore, because of the flexibility of online learning, people can study on their own time and work around their work or family commitments. Furthermore, virtual learning allows students to progress through course content at their own pace, allowing greater flexibility regarding deadlines and workload.
Efficiency – online learning allows teachers to create lessons more dynamic and efficient classes. Internet learning involves a wide range of materials, such as videos, documents, and podcasts. By using this material effectively, teachers can create more engaging and innovative content.
Balance – another benefit of eLearning is a better school-life balance. For example, some people prefer to study early in the morning, while others have other commitments and choose to study later in the day. Thus, when learning at home, students can adapt their studying to fit around their home life and personal pursuits, resulting in a more favorable school-life balance. Furthermore, learning at home enables students to devote more time to themselves and improve their well-being. For example, engaging in hobbies such as self-reflection, meditation, or yoga help improve confidence and emotional intelligence.
Variety – another reason some people prefer online education is the broader choice of courses. Students can enroll in more courses, with the advantage that they do not need to travel to school at specified times. Removing geographical and time factors means that students can be more flexible and take courses where they complete the material at their own pace. In addition, students can gain valuable knowledge and earn degrees by taking online courses, which offer the same variety of degrees as traditional educational institutions, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Environment – some people prefer the more convenient option of being at home to avoid traffic and commuting. For some, this daily commute and dealing with colleagues are stressful, so learning from the comfort of home is an attractive alternative. One of the unspoken benefits of online learning is the flexibility and opportunity for self-care it provides. Online learning allows students to take classes without leaving the house or in other locations such as coffee shops. This flexibility can be advantageous for many reasons. For example, the silence and lack of distractions provided by studying in alternative locations is a preferable environment for many people to learn compared to a traditional classroom.
Affordability – the cost of online schools varies; however, because there is a broader range of courses, there is a more comprehensive range of price points. Students can select an online curriculum that satisfies their professional requirements and is within budget. By studying online, students do not spend money they would typically spend on lodging and commuting to university.
Sectors that have benefitted the most
Almost every industry today is focusing its attention towards eLearning as the world increasingly digitizes. However, some have embraced this change more quickly than others. The following section examines the industries and sectors that have exploited online education the most and its impact.
Healthcare
Attempting to fulfill the different demands of an aging population has increased the demand for well-trained nurses, physical therapists, doctors, and other healthcare specialists in emerging technology. Access to high-quality healthcare is a top priority, and a nationwide nurse shortage contributes to the absence of crucial healthcare workers. According to recent Kentucky Hospital Association research, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, more than one in every five nursing positions was unfilled. In addition, the position with the highest vacancy rate was registered nurses (RNs). This deficiency is why online nursing programs in Kentucky and worldwide are vital – Elmhurst University provides students with the tools to kickstart their career wherever they’re based.
As one of the most dynamic areas of the economy, the healthcare business has consistently employed eLearning to provide relevant and valuable materials and information to its personnel. This learning method means medical workers can learn without breaking their hectic schedules. Diseases, treatment approaches, the use of new medical technology, and the administration of pharmaceuticals are all swiftly and efficiently updated, meaning that health professionals can access the content at their convenience. In addition, health-based governments and independent groups use eLearning systems to educate the public about diseases and critical health-related services.
Retail
The retail industry is an important sector in most economies. Furthermore, while many positions require a university degree as a prerequisite, others are entry-level positions that do not require a degree. Also, subject-specific degrees are not necessary for many parts of the retail sector, meaning you don’t necessarily need a marketing degree to work in marketing. Although postgraduate training is not required to succeed in the field, it reflects a drive to improve commercial and practical abilities, which can boost your profile as a candidate. For those who wish to gain a retail-specific qualification, there are generic courses such as certificates in retail principles and methods or retail management.
The training requirements of such a diversified workforce are extensive. For example, retail staff often have direct contact with consumers. Thus they must obtain proper training in providing excellent customer service. In addition, the retail industry is well-known for its high staff turnover rate. As a result, retaining well-trained customer-facing team members available for long periods is challenging. In the retail sector, eLearning is an excellent method for disseminating information on new products, sales methods, and marketing tactics. By utilizing eLearning correctly, companies promote a more well-trained workforce, leading to increased retention and an improved customer experience.
Manufacturing
The skills deficit that has impacted many businesses is especially acute in manufacturing, where the epidemic has worsened an existing skills gap. According to Deloitte, there will be 2.1 million vacant jobs in American manufacturing by 2030. In addition, according to the firm’s research, acquiring and retaining quality staff is a significant priority for 83 percent of manufacturers. The urgency of this issue is because 45 percent of manufacturing executives stated that they rejected projects owing to worker shortages
With continual variations in demand and work objectives, the fast-paced manufacturing business must deal with constant and quick change, so training and development are sometimes disregarded. Yet, with regular technological and infrastructure advancements and substantial staff turnover, there is a great need to bring people up to speed – and quickly. As a result, this industry can now deliver training through eLearning while adhering to strict timelines and production schedules. In addition, companies benefit from eLearning content because it facilitates team member orientation, allowing them to onboard large numbers of workers more efficiently. This increased efficiency is instrumental in the manufacturing industry, which experiences fluctuations because of seasonal demand.
Entertainment
The entertainment industry, which has undergone significant adjustments toward an online market during the previous decade, has seen a rise in demand for online learning. This change in demand is in part due to the industry expanding at such a rapid rate. The global movie and entertainment market is anticipated to reach USD 169.6 billion by 2030, growing at a 7.2% CAGR between 2022 and 2030. The tremendous popularity of music, movie and television series streaming services is boosting the film and entertainment business. Due to a diverse variety of audiences with varying tastes, the market has little competitive rivalry, i.e., there is something for everyone. However, industry players must compete by attracting larger audiences to acquire a substantial portion of their income. Key players focus on establishing a solid connection with audiences through promotional events, consumer goods, and television shows. Revenue growth is usually positively influenced by improved promotional channels.
Online entertainment firms use online learning to grow and inspire their community and fan base, often by developing specialized training apps. For example, the online gambling business includes several unique poker apps to assist clients using poker platforms and those wishing to better their technique. Such initiatives boost client participation and happiness while making the product more accessible and appealing to a larger population.
The future of online education
In recent times, the face of standardized schooling has changed. However, typical classes inside learning facilities aren’t the only way to educate students — not with the rise of technological solutions. If students can go online, they can gain an excellent education at a time and location that suits them. As a result, we are entering a new age that some call the ‘online education revolution.’
Education is not falling behind in the digital age because students enjoy the benefits of personalized learning and eLearning. In addition, the pandemic forced millions of pupils to leave their classrooms, leading to rapid growth in online education. As a result, even schools are embracing online learning strategies to keep up with the times. eLearning engages and moves toward increasingly exciting formats, relying on cutting-edge technology such as gamification and augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR).
Though people mainly use AR and VR for games, it is also growing in popularity in education. One of the primary advantages of AR/VR for online learning is the elimination of distractions through immersive equipment and tools such as headsets, audio devices, and tactile sensors. A second benefit is improved personalization through virtual training rooms, which allow learners to connect with online facilitators in real time, have physical contact with online training content, and visualize their goals. AR/VR can also give detailed analytics that tracks the student’s emotional and alert state, learner engagement, and custom learning goals. Furthermore, in a qualitative assessment, AR/VR can explain learner mistakes, which may reinforce correct actions.
One of the most important considerations is how technology will impact the future of education. There are exciting times ahead as internet access becomes more prevalent and computer processing power continues to grow. With VR and AR, users will see educational elements on social media sites and personalized chatbots. Once again, Millennials and Generation Z are driving much of the interest. As a result, the future of education looks promising. As technology advances, gaining an education should be more accessible and inclusive.
Online learning benefits everyone, regardless of employment type, industry, or experience. It can assist in meeting safety requirements, complying with legislation, or expanding your skill set. In addition, online learning helps overcome difficulties many students face in traditional educational settings. While some individuals are skeptical of this type of training, it is becoming increasingly popular as a quick and flexible approach to education worldwide.
