Advantages of online learning environments

There are several advantages of online learning environments including convenience, control, and commitment and I am very much in favor of it. I could not be getting my School Media Specialist certification if it were not for being enrolled in an online program. However, I do think that the advantages increase as the age of the student increases. The focus of the NY Times article (“Study Finds,” 2009) was largely for college and continuing education students. It reported results from an SRI study that an average online student tested higher in performance than an average classroom student. But, it also expressed excitement in the growth in online education in providing more tailored learning experiences. The use of new collaboration tools including Web-based video and instant messaging has greatly enhanced the online experience of participating in a class.

According to Online College Courses, there are 5 advantages of online courses. They are convenience, control, connection, cost, and commitment. Online courses are convenient because you can fit them into your day. You have control over the time management aspect of learning by being able to spend necessary amount of time on the subject as your background warrants. Since online courses are interactive, there is a connection with the instructor and other students from around the world. Cost is only a slight advantage since online courses should eliminate things like travel and possibly food. However, the expense of having a computer with internet access may actually be more costly. Taking online courses will teach you how to commit to something and follow through.

Moreno (2010) discusses several anxieties such as math anxiety and test anxiety that could be reduced by creating a classroom that is accepting, comfortable, and noncompetitive. Online classes can offer this kind of classroom making it an advantage of online learning environment.

My own personal experience with online courses has been advantageous to acquiring a School Media Specialist certification. I live 150 miles from Florida State University and yet, I can take all my required classes for the certification online. I am also able to revisit each class at my leisure because online classes are recorded for later viewing. My daughter also used Florida’s Virtual School for several courses in high school. The advantage of her taking an online course including freeing up her classroom time for other classes at her high school.

Works Cited

(2009, August 19). Study Finds That Online Education Beats the Classroom. New York Times. Retrieved from http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/study-finds-that-online-education-beats-the-classroom/

2010. Online College Courses. Retrieved from http://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/5-advantages-of-online-courses/

Moreno, R. (2010). Educational Psychology. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.