Over the past months, most educational institutions have had to entirely switch from traditional learning to distance learning due to the impact of the pandemic.
At first, the switch to distance education was difficult for both students and teachers alike. They had to get used to the change of pace and scenery, and teachers had to learn how to make and edit PDF files and use other e-learning online education tools.
As students and teachers became familiar with distance learning in 2024, they’ve found that there are many benefits to using e-learning.
The pros of e-learning outweigh the cons, and in this article, we’re going to look at the core benefits of e-learning.
1. Offers flexibility
Online distance learning allows students to learn at their own pace and effectively take charge of their time. Studying in the comfort of your home or while taking a walk has made distance education very popular among them.
The flexibility that distance learning gives students allows them to schedule their day better and be more effective in their tasks. Those who learn better at night can now get a good day’s rest before studying at night, and the same goes for students who learn better during the day.
Ultimately, distance learning helps make the learning process less strenuous for students and more fun too.
2. Accommodates students with special needs
E-learning for special education is one of the sectors that has greatly benefited from the recent focus on distance learning. They with physical disabilities or specific learning needs have found distance learning suitable to their needs.
Students with special needs generally find it challenging to adapt to the traditional educational system. While there have been some improvements over the years, it’s still not adequate for students with diverse special needs.
However, E-learning special education gives everyone more accessible solutions. They can pause, rewind, and slow down their lecture videos, ensuring they’re not overwhelmed.
Similarly, E-learning in medical education can adapt to the unique needs of students. And as the e-learning and education sector continues to develop, inclusive solutions like VR and AR will accommodate special needs students.
3. Eliminates the commute and hassle of getting to class
A million things can affect your commute to class: traffic, a flat tire, your car refusing to start, etc. These and many other reasons have made both students and teachers turn up late for their classes at one time or another.
A significant advantage of online education e-learning is that it saves you the stress of commuting to class. You can just lay in your bed with your laptop and start learning anytime you want, effectively saving more money in the process.
4. Saves time
Distance learning saves a lot of time for students and teachers alike. Some of them tend to understand things faster than their counterparts, and with e-learning school education, they can move on as soon as they understand what’s being taught, rather than wait till everyone in class catches up.
E-learning in teacher education also helps teachers save a lot of time. Since the video materials the teachers are giving to the class are available 24/7, teachers don’t need to repeat lectures too much because students can go back and watch the lecture in their own free time.
5. Offers networking opportunities
E-learning sites online education does not give students the face-to-face opportunities that the traditional educational system offers. However, it’s still entirely possible to network when you’re learning online.
Online distance learning gives you the chance to network with people worldwide. At the same time, the traditional educational system limits your networking to people who attend the same college or university as you do.
With online discussion boards, you can create relationships with and start discussions with your classmates while also putting your best foot out in case a potential employer happens to read the post.
You can also reach out to alumni who took the same course as you did, and most times, they’d be more than willing to help you start your career correctly.
6. Allows students to hone their time-management skills
Time management is a vital skill for both students and working-class adults. With distance learning, more time is available to students due to a lack of activities.
In the past, students have had to learn how to manage their time efficiently and maintain a good balance between school work and life.
Over time, this skill will prove advantageous to students, mainly if they apply it when they’re done with school and are working. Time management skills will help them be more effective and increase their value in the job market.
7. Helps students develop their technical skills
E-learning creative education teaches students a lot of functional skills in a creative way. Due to the nature of online learning, students learn organizational skills, writing skills, computer skills, communication skills, research skills, problem-solving skills, and adaptability.
However, the most vital skill that e-learning and education give to themis the ability to meet deadlines. This skill is critical in today’s workplace and is highly sought after by employers today who value output over everything else. Students who study online are more suited for the job market than students who use the traditional educational system.
8. Provides access to experts
While traditional educational systems give students physical access to their teachers, for some reason, it’s hard for students to create a personal relationship with them. And studies have shown that having a positive teacher-student relationship benefits the students and the teachers and positively affects performance.
E-learning special education offers students easy access to their teachers, professors, and other experts in their field that are not in the exact location through video conferencing. Incredibly, distance learning has brought them closer to their teachers, something the traditional educational system has not achieved.
Conclusion
As you can see, the benefits of distance learning are significant. But that does not mean there are no downsides. The lack of social interaction that social learning has is one of the reasons distance learning may never totally replace physical schools. Some people still point at the lack of practical knowledge as a deal-breaker.
As we transition into a fully digital world and technology keeps developing, many of the cons of distance learning will get resolved. However, the pros of distance education today far outweigh the cons, and it’s only going to get better from here.
