Benfits of online classes - Essay Example

Benefits of Online es s Education has been key to the development of humans. With the recent developments in technology, most people are using the Internet for educative purposes because it offers learning opportunities that suit their needs. Currently, most institutions of higher learning are providing online classes. In 2014, a study by the Babson Survey Research Group reported that 35% of college and university students indicated taking at one class online. This is due to the increased demand of education globally.

More people across the globe have embraced the Internet technology, providing a reason why many people are attending online classes. To that effect, the paper will discuss the benefits of acquiring education online. The major benefit of attending online classes is convenience and flexibility (Tomei, 2010). One listens to lectures and completes the assignments at their own schedules. This is helpful for the professionals and working students because they are able to balance their class work, family responsibilities, and personal activities.

The classrooms can also be difficult for those students who struggle with concentration. One can also sit comfortably anywhere while attending the online classes. The course materials also available online enhancing the flexibility and convenience. Therefore, the convenience and flexibility of Internet-conducted classes has continued to draw more students. However, flexibility and convenience comes with a high level of discipline and organization. Equally important, learning by use of the Internet has resulted in reduction of learning costs.

Most of the online programs are more affordable as compared to the traditional courses. For example, there are no commuting costs, accommodation costs, and most of the course materials are often found online free of charge. Additionally, assorted costs like parking, fuel, and motor vehicle maintenance costs do not impact on the web-based learners (Tomei, 2010). As a result, the learner is able to save money that may be used for expensive workbooks as well as texts. The affordability of attending online classes may result in more people getting access to education, thus increasing the literacy levels.

Proceeding further, Tomei (2010) argues that online classes enhance the opportunities to network. The Internet provides a platform where the student can interact with numerous other students across the globe. This gives them the opportunity to discuss their work and make connections with these students regardless of their location. At the same time, the student has complete control over the amount of exposure he or she has over other students. Most importantly, attendance of online classes makes the students culturally sensitive as well as be able to fit into other environments more easily due to their exposure to other culture.

Networking not only increases someone’s chances of being employed, but also widens the students’ perspectives and insights on various educational matters. In summary, learning via the internet has positively and significantly revolutionized the education sector. The topic is important because the use of the internet has made education to be accessible to more people who cannot attend the classes physically. The learners are also able to advance their knowledge and skills devoid of dropping their commitment to their employers or families.

Besides that, online learning is not only cheap in comparison to traditional education, but also increases the opportunities to network. As a result, online education has fully integrated itself in the current educational technology and the readers can enroll any online class to experience the benefits. It can be argued that web-based learning is rather a different path with its own rewards. However, further studies need to be conducted on the benefits of online education for people with disabilities, including the deaf and blind, as well as students with autism since the e-curriculum is often developed for the abled learners.

ReferenceTomei, L. (2010). Online Courses and ICT in Education: Emerging Practices and Applications: Emerging Practices and Applications. New York: IGI Global.