Online Lessons
The days when you could obtain a well paying job with a simple high school degree are long gone. Nowadays most, if not all, entry level positions in top companies across the US – and around the world – require a college degree. However, it is not always easy, affordable and convenient for people to pursue college classes. In order to facilitate the people holding full time jobs or those who did not wish to sacrifice their family lives, the trend of distance education was established, dating as far back as 1728. Since then distance education has been in a state of constant evolution with rapid progress being made during the 1990’s due to the popularity of the internet.
History of Online Lessons
This method of training caught the eye of different colleges and universities around the country, and eventually, in 1994, CalCampus introduced the first ever online lessons that lead to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. While the course exceeded student and teacher expectations, the software and systems used had numerous limitations and technology was not advanced enough to quickly transmit information around the campus or to students at home. Thanks to the remarkable advancement in information technology, computer systems and the internet during the 2000’s, online education programs were redesigned and significantly improved up to the extent that they could reach students in virtually any part of the world. As the internet continued to spread around the world, hundreds of college and universities dedicated to online education were set up, offering associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in every field of study imaginable.
Online Education Today
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, today more than 4 million students take at least one or more online lessons in the United States alone. Over 4000 colleges around the country offer more than 11,000 study programs online. The popularity of online education is constantly growing, and the Department of Education estimates continued growth in this sector in the years to come. The biggest advantage that most people see in taking online lessons is the ability to study from anywhere, at any time with a simple internet connection. Students can also take classes when on the go using their cell phones or iPods. Moreover, students from all over the world are able to enroll in various programs and obtain degrees that may not be offered where they live. Students also have a wealth of study materials available online, and do not need to lug around books or pay library fees – most books are made available online. Distance learning also helps increase a person’s communication abilities, in particular writing skills. By interacting with teachers and classmates from around the world, students develop a broad perspective of the world and learn to appreciate and understand different cultures around the globe. Most important of all, online lessons cost a fraction of what programs in a traditional on-campus environment cost, and students save a substantial amount of time, effort and money by not having to commute to or from class.