Advantages of Online Learning Enviroments

There are many advantages in online learning. Online learning gives people like me an opportunity to receive a college education. People that do not live close to a college cannot attend without moving. If you are older with a job, bills, a home, and a family, then moving is out of the question. Online learning is very beneficial but it is still scarce. Although colleges are starting to offer more online learning, most universities only offer limited online courses. If major universities would offer full online degrees in every field, it will be money well spent. It will bring in a new wave of students that do not have the chance to earn a degree now. Especially in these economic times, the majority of people want to return to school.

Online learning is a great tool for students at the college level. But there are many disadvantages in total online learning for K-12 students. Students at this level require more attention and face to face learning. But integrating technology and online learning into the classroom can be effective. Students are surrounded by the new age of technology and they love it. Anytime that technology can be integrated into their lessons, it will surely motivate them to learn. “When properly used, technology can promote students’ engagement and motivation to learn.”(Moreno,372) The more online lessons that are given, the more motivated the students will be. Many elementary and high schools are now using online learning to some degree. One effective example is online reading sites that are used by reading coaches at the elementary level.

Another advantage of online learning is that it offers different levels of material. Every student is different; it may take longer for some students to comprehend the material being taught. Online learning is a great tutoring mechanism for students. Students can start at a level that they are comfortable with and work their way up until they are at the same level as the rest of their class. “The real promise of online education, experts say, is providing learning experiences that are more tailored to individual students than is possible in classrooms.”(The New York Times) As students work their way up in the online programs they become motivated to learn in the classroom.

As technology moves forward, education must also move forward. The pros of online learning definitely outweigh the cons. “The competencies you will master in dealing with the online learning environment will serve you well in the workplace.”(Plymouth University) The Internet skills that are gained from online learning will help prepare students for the future.


Works Cited
"Advantages of Online Learning." Plymouth State University. http://www.plymouth.edu/online/advantages.html.

"Bits, Technology." 19 September 2010. The New York Times. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/study-finds-that-online-education-beats-the-classroom/.

Moreno, Roxana. Educational Pschology. Wiley, 2010.