What Online Learning Format Is The Best For Your Needs?

Earning a degree online is easier than ever before, but students should make sure that they know exactly what they are signing up for before committing. With so many options available it is easy to get confused. Not all online courses are the same and there are also different types of education delivery systems available that can confuse matters further. The formats listed below are some of the most common ones that are available to students interested in furthering their education online.

What Are The Most Common Online Learning Formats?

Synchronous Courses

Synchronous courses mean that all students need to attend the virtual classes at the same scheduled time. These are best suited to students who are able to follow a strict schedule and are flexible enough to regularly attend classes. Synchronous courses are also better for students who prefer to engage in real-time discussions during class and enjoy live lectures. Typically, students are also expected to complete assignments outside of class in preparation for the next scheduled class. In addition, students might be required to work collaboratively on projects outside of scheduled class times.

Asynchronous Courses

Asynchronous courses are the opposite of synchronous courses and provide students with the freedom to complete their coursework on their own time. Unlike the live lectures of synchronous classes, asynchronous courses tend to provide learners with recorded lectures and other study materials. Instead of live discussions other asynchronous formats, such as forums and emails are used for communication. Asynchronous courses are best suited for students with busy schedules or who have other obligations that make attending regular classes impossible. This form of learning requires students to be self-motivated as they can complete their work at their own pace, but will still need to meet the set deadlines. It is also not the best option for students who enjoy the social aspect of learning.

Hybrid Courses

Synchronous and asynchronous courses have both pros and cons, which is why some learning institutions offer hybrid courses that blend the two. Hybrid courses may include a mixture of real-time lectures along with recorded materials. Many hybrid courses offer a portion of the material online while students must still attend in-person classes for certain subjects. It is also sometimes possible for students to opt for hybrid-flexible courses where they can choose their participation methods from session to session. Options may include attending in person, remotely via Zoom, or by watching recordings and fulfilling any additional requirements later. Hybrid courses are common for degrees that require laboratory sessions or other hands-on learning components. Unfortunately, hybrid courses are not always practical for students who do not live near campus locations. Some universities do provide optional housing options for students who have to travel nationally or even internationally to attend on-campus courses.

Massive Open Online Courses

Massive open online courses are free online courses that are open for enrollment to anyone with an internet connection. These courses cover a wide range of topics and provide students with access to course materials such as filmed lectures, readings, quizzes, and assignments. Some also take the form of interactive courses where students can use forums or social media to interact with each other or teachers. Massive open online courses are great for studying topics that might not be available or are not affordable to students. While the courses tend to be free the institutions offering massive open online courses may charge students a certification fee.

Bootcamps

Students who already have a degree in a specific field but who would like to enhance their credentials can make use of bootcamps. These accelerated education programs are most common in the tech field and offer students a quick way to learn specific skills. Bootcamps are generally short and intensive, which makes them less flexible than other online learning methods. Most bootcamps can be completed in about two to six months and provide learners with specialized skills compared to the more general knowledge of degree programs. This can be useful for students seeking entry-level positions in occupations like frontend software engineering, web development, or data analysis.

Conclusion

With the abundance of courses available online and the convenient delivery methods, there is something available for everyone. It is important to do a self-assessment and figure out which learning method is suitable for you. Of course, picking the right course and learning method for your preferences is just one step in the process. It is also vital to make sure that factors such as pricing, accreditation, and reputation are in order before making any commitments. Furthering your education should be an investment that you can maximize and not something to regret because of avoidable factors.