The pandemic has changed many aspects of our lives. Education is no exception.Diversido is an expert at developing online education apps and proves the rise of importance of mobile education.
From famous universities to lone tutors, everyone seems to move online. But is e-learning just a hype that will go away shortly after the pandemic is over? Maybe the pandemic has accelerated the inevitable?
Online Degrees Are More Affordable and Accessible
Over the past four decades, college tuition has soared 260 percent. It is twice the rate of inflation. At the same time, the job market is more competitive than ever. Now, it is next to impossible to build a career without formal education. This situation prompts young people to take on huge student debt that they later struggle to pay.
The pandemic has also exacerbated the problem of unemployment. For these and other reasons, more people than ever want to get their degrees online. It is more affordable, and people have finally realized the importance of online education.
Students Can Set Their Own Schedule
By some estimates, the mobile learning market alone can grow to $325 billion worldwide by 2025. The online education system is more accessible, allowing for much greater flexibility. Classroom learning requires attending lectures and taking exams following a very specific schedule. You have to physically be on campus and manage your personal curriculum around the university timetable. As a result, many students have to pass on the opportunity of combining work and study. It is fine for those who choose to focus their attention entirely on their classes, but others are not so keen on it.
Many students need work experience to achieve their career goals faster. The majority, however, welcome the opportunity to work, because they need to make a living. For them, the only alternative is to take on even more student debt.
Physical Location Doesn’t Matter
This leads to another benefit of online learning ‒ you can learn from anywhere in the world. Most courses nowadays are built in such a way that they can be completed from any country. Only access to the Internet and a laptop are required. You can work in Houston and study at the University in Florida.
Remote workers can move to a country with lower living expenses like Ukraine or Cambodia. Thus, they can save money and build capital early on in life. This includes the benefit of exploring other cultures ‒ a valuable educational experience. Alternatively, a person can remain in their own country and enroll in a foreign university, either to save costs, network, or for other reasons.
With the rising awareness of the importance of online learning, many started to realize that the whole world is their oyster. Those dreaming about learning a rare subject can find it in universities overseas. The University of Oslo gives its students the opportunity to earn master’s degrees in Ibsen studies, North Sea Energy Law, and even Viking and Medieval Norse Studies.
International Networking
Students from developing countries now have more opportunities to receive education from a European or a US university. This is great for many reasons. First, they can access knowledge and perspectives, not necessarily available to them in their traditional institutions. Second, they can network, getting acquainted with students from other countries. International networking has proven to be beneficial for all parties involved.
Developing countries are beaming with investment opportunities and a partnership between local professionals. People interested in expanding their brands can create mutually valuable business relationships.
Beyond Formal Education ‒ the Rise of Educational Platforms
Universities are far from the only institutions that expand their online capacities. Not everyone is interested in formal education. More than that, many professionals realize that even if they already have a degree, they need additional courses to keep up with the high demands of this ever-evolving world.
Language-Learning ‒ a Lucrative Field of Online Education
Nearly any person in the world is or have been, at some point, learning a foreign language. English language alone is currently studied by approximately 1,5 billion people worldwide. Other popular languages include Spanish, Chinese, French, Arabic, Russian, and German. The demand is huge, and there are lots of online learning options for prospective students.
Some apps let students communicate with a tutor. Others offer educational videos and interactive exercises or some combination of both. The importance of e learning is also evident for those who wish to study less popular languages, such as Urdu or Icelandic. They can join niche online communities tailored specifically to their needs.
The Great Variety of Subjects and Methodology Types
There are very few things that you can’t learn online. Think of something. Anything. Unless it requires gaining very specific motor skills (like conducting a surgery) or physical contact (like martial arts), it can probably be learned online. At least, to a certain extent. You can find online courses on beekeeping, cryptography, woodwork, programming languages, or stand-up. Even dancing or yoga can be learned and monitored via video by an instructor.
What is even more impressive is that people have more opportunities to find courses suitable for their learning style. Fast readers can use textual materials; audial learners and those who suffer from dyslexia can listen to podcasts and audio lectures. Visual learners can enjoy charts, graphs, and videos.
E-learning also opens opportunities to people who have a skill that they can teach. It is now easier to find interested clients and start a business.
With crisis come new opportunities. Being a highly adaptable species, humans have invented numerous things out of necessity. Forced to innovate, savvy educators and tech entrepreneurs, combining their efforts, have created numerous ways for others to spend their time productively, gain new skills and knowledge.