Digital v/s Traditional Learning – Why Online Education is here to Stay

With the traditional-digital crossover point well behind us, the digital medium has become the most reliable information channel for users worldwide. The internet has taken over. According to a 2015 UN report, over 3.2 billion people are plugged into the world wide web. Assuming a minimum purchasing power for anyone who can afford broadband internet, that’s over 50% of the world’s consumers with healthy disposable incomes on a common, global platform.  

For businesses, it’s a veritable goldmine. Never before in the history of commerce has there been an audience this vast, with diverse interests and deep pockets.

And they’ve been quick to adapt. More than a million companies today do business online, and nearly all brick-and-mortar establishments maintain a growing online presence.

The education industry is no different. Given the cost-effectiveness and reach of online learning, education providers have taken to the internet, offering courses and training online. But there has been a constant debate on which of the two holds more value to an employer and the student itself.

There was a time when online courses were considered inferior to traditional degrees. Employers rarely accepted online degrees as equivalent to a degree from a reputed brick-and-mortar university. But in today’s tech-driven world and the time constraints professionals operate under, online learning is taking the front seat. 

As employers have come to expect more refined and up-to-date skills from employees, the demand for online degree programs has shot through the roof.

Let’s take a look at how online education measures up against traditional delivery modes.

#1 Flexibility

Online learning is inherently flexible. For working professionals and people with a family, e-learning offers a way to juggle professional or personal commitments with study. Many online courses are customizable and have options to change the pace of learning.

Traditional learning is a lot more rigid. And unlike online courses, which can be accessed from anywhere, on any device, conventional courses are not designed for the mobile generation.

#2 Multimodal Delivery

Because e-learning courses are delivered over the web, students have the option to choose their style of learning. Online programs allow students to choose the way they learn most effectively. Learners who prefer self-study can choose from millions of self-paced courses in a variety of disciplines. For those who prefer a more classical approach, many online programs also offer live online training with remote instruction, replicating the feel of a face-to-face classroom and real-time learning.

#3 Interactive Nature

The common perception appears to be that online learning’s biggest downside is the lack of interaction with fellow learners. But recent technological advances have changed all that. Ed-tech majors like Simplilearn have made community interaction and social media an integral part of the online learning experience.

It’s clear digital learning is here to stay. And that brings us to the next question…