Teaching spaces have come a long way in the last couple of decades. We have moved on significantly from old-fashioned classrooms where the only semblance of multimedia technology was the overhead slide projector. And, thankfully, we no longer have to wait for school staff to unlock the dedicated computer room—with its rows of clunky CRT monitors—in order to research our projects. In fact, students these days can undertake a large proportion of their learning assignments without even stepping onto the grounds of an education facility.
When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down schools of all levels across the world, educators and institutions had to scramble to provide a substitute for face-to-face instruction. Even before the pandemic, online education technology or EdTech was already making strong growth with the market projected to hit 350 billion US dollars by 2025. Boosted by the lockdowns, there has been a huge surge in the adoption of EdTech in the past year. From virtual tutoring to video conferencing, language apps to e-learning software, it seems that the education industry has progressed far ahead from its previous state. Learners now have several options for a Masterclass student discount, and there are many other learning platforms that offer attractive student rates. But how does this realistically affect the students?
Quality Education
With the expanding EdTech market, there are currently numerous online education platforms that provide an alternative to the conventional school system. These platforms offer courses—referred to as massive open online courses or MOOCs—that are available to thousands of students all over the world. The first-ever MOOC was a 14-week course titled “Circuits and Electronics” that ran from March to June 2012. Since then, over half a million learners have enrolled in this course, demonstrating the incredible reach of digital education.
There is now a wide variety of MOOCs available for students to choose from. Courses range from skills upgrading such as sign language and basic design to bona fide diploma courses in tourism or microbiology. The online education platforms combine a range of multimedia assets to provide students with an interactive and interesting course curriculum. The courses themselves are crafted by experts and often accredited according to legitimate and internationally recognized benchmarks such as the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Qualification Standards.
Students participating in these online learning courses gain access to a sea of resources that would otherwise be out of their reach. This could include real-life case studies, insight from world-renowned mentors, or behind-the-scenes videos from industry leaders. Certain subjects, particularly in the medical and science fields, have a very high entry barrier and require years of prior study. Many online learning platforms now offer courses in these fields with no prerequisites. The ability to compile and circulate specialist materials and information is no longer restricted to the traditional school system, thus increasing the equity of education.
Time for Life
Instead of spending years trudging down a university study track and having to choose between full-time work or study, individuals can embark on a course of online education while at the same time meeting their family and income commitments. The flexibility of online learning means that as long as students submit their course work by specified deadlines, they have the freedom to choose the most appropriate time for them to carry out their studies. For some, this could be in the early hours of the morning when it is most quiet. For others, it could be over the weekend when they have the time off from work. Virtual classrooms are available at any hour of the day and any day of the week. This convenience is a major advantage and makes higher education more accessible to those who live in a household with only one computer to share.
The advancement of EdTech has also been critical to adults and mature age learners who seek to remain competitive or just want to enhance their CVs. Older students have less time and patience for micro-frustrations such as tedious bureaucracy and the navigation of complex technological interfaces. The development of friendly user interfaces from extensive user experience testing has been essential in the retention of adult students, who just want the important information without irrelevant distractions. The collaborative learning and peer-review structure of many modern online courses are also more suited for adult students, who are used to the idea of autonomy and dynamic engagement in the workplace.
Despite its many qualities, the most appealing feature of online education is probably the cost, or lack thereof. As a matter of fact, there are many free online courses that range from fashion to technical writing, allowing individuals to pursue their interests without putting pressure on their finances. Not to worry, though, as paid courses are not much more expensive either! It can cost as little as 30 pounds to enroll in a one-year professional diploma course via an online education platform.
The accessibility and affordability of digital learning have allowed unprecedented numbers of people to upgrade their skills, knowledge, and employability. As EdTech advancement enables educators to blend instruction with interactivity, the online education sector is poised to reinvent our definition of schooling. By allowing students more say in how they complete their coursework, lifelong learning and self-made success change from mere buzzwords to a believable reality.