COVID-19 has brought a huge change in the world of education. The most significant of these is the prevalence of online classes. Whether it is at primary level, high school, or university, traditional physical classes have been quickly replaced by online classes. While everyone talks about the disadvantages of having classes online, the immense benefits are often overlooked. Online classes have a totally different experience than traditional classrooms and are a great alternative for many people. Here are some merits of having online classes as the norm.
Cuts Down Cost
College requires you to invest a huge amount of money. Campus life is expensive as it is not only the tuition fee but you also have to take care of your food expenses, stationery, books, and everyday activities. Most students end up with loans after graduation. This has led to students shouldering debt for well over a decade after their graduation. It is no surprise that online courses only require you to pay for university credits. So, you can also save a lot of money and invest your money in other things.
Less Study Pressure
Campus life can sometimes become exhausting. It requires you to show up for classes on time, sit attentively through a lecture, and then run to your next class as soon as one is over. You may be lucky if your classes are spaced to give you a break. However, that also requires you to stay on campus. This can make your day exhausting and tiring. When you come back home you do not have enough energy to do homework or take up sports as your day is too busy. The advantage with online classes is that as long as you are meeting deadlines and keeping up with your grades you can study at your own pace. This means you have less study pressure.
Easier to Be Present
If you live in a place that has extreme weather like frequent thunderstorms or snow it can be difficult for you to make it to school every day. It is a menace to wake up early in cold, winter mornings and navigate a clear route to your freezing cold campus. Similar is the case with thunderstorms and rain. So, it could be difficult to keep your attendance high. With online classes, being present in class is as easy as having a computer and Wi-Fi connection. You can attend classes from the comfort of your home or a nearby coffee shop.
Inculcates Self-Discipline
We are living in a world where self-discipline is a rare quality. Most of us are good at procrastinating. At the campus, we have instructors to remind us when an assignment is due or we have friends who keep us updated about the latest discussions. With online classes, you have to log in yourself to make sure that you are part of the discussions. This allows you to schedule your day better and inculcate self-discipline in your life. This is a helpful quality not only for studying but also while making decisions regarding work ethic and fitness aspects of life.
Teachers Are More Accessible
While most of us may disagree as there may be challenges in communication due to more gaps between students and teachers as you do not sit in class regularly. However, the opposite is true in most cases. You may not be comfortable asking questions in class as there are many others waiting for their turn and yours may go unnoticed. When you take classes online, you can ask questions from your instructors over email. This gives them time to give a more thorough and well-thought-out answer to your question and clear your confusion regarding the subject. Teachers may also feel less pressured to squeeze in every student’s question before the end of the class. So, online classes allow more one-on-one communication and more attention too.
The Location of Your University Does Not Matter
Many of us have limited career choices because certain universities are not present near our homes. Transport costs, accommodation, and meals can be a struggle not only in terms of expenses but also mentally. With online classes, you can now take classes from universities in any part of the world while sitting at home. All you need is your computer and a decent internet connection.
A Large Variety of Subjects
You may be interested in pursuing certain subjects and even a certain career path but your university may not offer it. This can be disappointing for many students as they cannot enroll in two different schools at the same time. Online classes give students an advantage to take up as many courses as they want from different schools without having to go to school. You can also transfer the credits from one school to another easily.
Easy to Focus
It is difficult to concentrate and focus in on-campus classes sometimes. There are various reasons for this. It may also become difficult for some people to concentrate in a noisy environment. With online classes, it is easy to maintain focus and concentration. However, there may be other distractions like a delivery person ringing the doorbell but smart home devices like Video Doorbell could take care of that. Bigger problems like noise from ongoing construction on campus can be avoided with online classes.
Final Thoughts
Online classes have many advantages over traditional on-campus classes for students and teachers. While there are a few disadvantages the advantages still outweigh them.
