So much of what was once considered a norm is being questioned and overturned. Automation and AI pose challenges and some would even say threats to employment across almost all industries and sectors. Businesses are wondering how soon we will recover economically after the pandemic. And socially there is unrest and turmoil throughout the western world.
It’s not all doom and gloom; where there are challenges there is also opportunity and more than ever, the internet has opened the possibility for entrepreneurs to open their own businesses and start-ups. Nowadays, there are online courses that will help people with distance learning, either with short courses or full degrees. In a world that is continually changing at such a quick pace, and where people are so busy, the internet has made it possible for them to continually upgrade their skills or acquire certification that before may have been out of reach.
Explosion of courses available
The explosion of online learning over recent years has been phenomenal. Almost all institutes now offer some form of online courses. In the United States, recent stats suggest that in higher learning 30% of students are taking distance learning in some part. These are not limited to a few number of topics, if you’re interested in any subject, no matter how niche or obscure, there’s a high chance that you’ll be able to find a course for you online.
Study anywhere
One of the main advantages is you can study anywhere. Now you no longer have to go to the institute or the school. It comes to you, anywhere you are in the world. As long as you have a stable internet connection where you are, you can log in and access your class. This is particularly convenient as it opens the courses available to you. Now you don’t need to be near a physical place to do a course; in effect, the whole world of courses is available to you whether you’re in a city like London or in a province of Vietnam.
Study in your own time
The other benefit is that for most courses, there is a certain amount of flexibility about when you do the work. There are elements in courses where you will be required to work in groups or need to have direct time with a professor but normally these times can be negotiated between when participants meet online. This means that in today’s busy world, where people are managing many commitments like jobs and family, they are able to also upgrade skills or learn new ones.
Study within your budget
In the United States, student debt is a hot issue. Some students are hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. Many analysts predict this will have a huge social and economic impact in the coming years with students unable to repay loans affecting mental well-being and career aspiration. Online courses tend to be more affordable. Add the lower price to the fact there is no need to travel, by food outside, and pay for student accommodation, and online learning becomes accessible to so more people because it ends up being cheaper than traditional learning.
The world is changing rapidly and though it’s scary for many, it also presents new opportunities to take advantage of technology that will help people advance themselves.
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