Online Learning: A win-win proposition
- A word from our partners at EarnMyDegree.com
The modern-day adult comes equipped with a number of gadgets: Blackberrys, iPods, email, instant messaging and a plethora of other gigabyte-driven applications. In this perpetually wired world, it’s no surprise that online education is making waves on the education front.
Clearly, it’s convenient – to a student juggling work and school. But from an employer standpoint, how much does it impact the bottom line?
More than ever. By next year one in ten U.S. college students will be enrolled online, according to Boston-based market research firm Eduventures. The online surge can be attributed to the solid win-win proposition that distance learning offers both students and employers.
Employers say…
It focuses on what the bottom line really needs. Ask CEOs about skills lacking in recently graduated MBAs, engineers, and other professionals, and a likely answer is “collaborative and technological skills”. Corporations are seeking “soft skills” like leadership, teamwork, communication, and adaptability. Online degree programs increasingly emphasis both the hard and soft skills with a mix of academics and hands-on application.
It fosters critical thinking skills. With 24/7 access to freshly updated digital content, students gain research and problem solving skills so critical in most careers. Self-discipline, initiative and critical thinking are nature precursors – or byproducts – of distance learning. Successful students take it upon themselves to master digital resources: Online discussions, videoconferencing, chats, virtual office hours, forums and email. This in turn furthers their attractiveness to employers.
It’s legitimate. Once you’ve run your top three or four online university choices through an authenticity and accreditation check, you know you’ll be able to earn a degree worthy of street cred in your employers’ eyes.
It’s risk-averse. Online training offers a tremendous margin for error with software training programs. For example, an online course can train student-employees to use corporate computer systems via simulations. While mimicking a real-world software environment, these simulations reduce reduces error risk to nil or few. Also, costs are not duplicated if students repeat an online course.
The advantages of impact of e-learning is so attractive, some mid-sized to large employers will reimburse your tuition. Some even foot the bill directly via Third Party Billing.
Online students say…
Bottom line: It’s so much easier, on so many levels.
It’s faster. Online degree programs offer snappy downloads for students who want to get started immediately. Pacing is entirely student-dictated, so most students can graduate 23% faster than their traditional college counterparts.
It’s cheaper, portable and baggage-free. Digital textbooks are outpacing paperback and hardcopy. Re-versioning doesn’t require printing a new book, aggregates all course materials in one location online, and interactively engages a diverse range of learning styles through text, audio, video, and simulations.
It’s relevant. You may want to jump-start your dead-end accounting career from entry-level to a managerial position with MBA degrees online or online accounting degrees, you will acquire applicable, vocational industry-specific skills lacking in some liberal arts college programs. For the truly self-made, business degrees online can help you turn your creative ideas into an entrepreneurial endeavor.
It’s variegated. From Associate’s certification to doctoral degrees, there is no limit to your degree choice. There is a degree type for every unique student: Art & Design, Business, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, Education/Teaching, Engineering, Healthcare, Hospitality, Management, Human Services, Legal/Paralegal, Liberal Arts, Nursing, Political Science, Religious Studies and Technology.
Both employees and employers have done the math, and it’s a “win-win” proposition: Distance-learning students learn relevant, valuable skills which they plough back to the workplace.
