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Benefits and Challenges of Online Learning

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Benefits and Challenges of Online Learning

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The greatest benefit of online learning for me is that it is accessible at any time. I also appreciate the convenience of being able to review the course content as many times as I require.

Time management has been the greatest challenge for me in this course. Life happens, bringing challenging times to complicate an already demanding schedule. This feeling of mental and physical exhaustion brought the course to a halt for me.

Motivating myself and prioritizing the course by seeing the end result has been helpful. I reallly appreciate the guidance and information that Jacquie has provided.

Thank you.

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My challenges being online learners is time management. Balancing my day time job with my course work and balance of my family at home. I need plan ahead and prioritize my tasks to manage my time effectively. That way I am not falling behind and I'm making time for learning and completing assignments. The other one would be distractions for me, it easy for me to get distracted when I am learning online from home. I need to find space, and find the time when it is quiet in my home to have less distractions. Often times is my Friday which is my down time at work. Or my flex day which is a Monday.

What I enjoy the most which benefits me is the flexibility. Being online learners I can be at home or quiet place in a library. I do enjoy self-paced learning where It allows me to completed things on my own pace.

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Cindy McLellan here. Benefits of online learning are showing themselves today! I'm currently cozy at home looking out at the snow and the rain.

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Cindy McLellan here. Benefits of online learning are showing themselves today! I'm currently cozy at home looking out at the snow and the rain.

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The challenge is staying engaged. Luckily I am studying a topic that interests me. That makes it much easier. Some days it's hard to log on though.

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Share & Reflect:  Challenges & Benefits of Online Learning

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Share & Reflect:  Challenges & Benefits of Online Learning

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As I come closer to the end of my PIPD, the challenges I have faced are different than when I began in July 2022. This reflection is deeply personal because the road to get here has had some bumps. I am going to reflect from both angles.

The challenges as an online student:

1. At the beginning of my journey, I was incredibly overwhelmed with Moodle, after several days of clicking around and feeling terrified that I was not going to be able to figure out how Moodle worked. As an adult learner, I did not have all the technology skills I needed at the beginning. It all came together beautifully and I needed to trust that I would figure it out.

2. I have completed eight courses in a year and a half, and I am confident that is not breaking any world records, but I am burnt out. The words are not flowing out of me like they once did. My interest seems to be waning, and I am struggling to remain committed to completing the program.

3. Time management is more difficult for me now. I am not sure if it is burnout, but the deadline is coming for my first paper, and I am behind. Where did the first two weeks get to?

What to do with the challenges.

1. I am now comfortable with Moodle. So I am going to use this opportunity to give some sage advice to new students of online learning. Trust yourself and give yourself some grace. You have a long, rich history of succeeding when you begin something new. Don't beat yourself up.

2. I am currently accepting recommendations for overcoming burnout. I took part of November, and all of December off, and it did not help the way I had hoped.

3. I have printed an online calendar and got myself organized. I have set timelines and due dates.

The most significant benefit of online learning.

1. I have been able to work at my own pace. I like that I have the flexibility to set goals and complete them in ways that benefit me.

2. I believe that I write better papers in my pj's, and I like that no one cares or gives me a side-eye like they do when I go to the library. Just kidding. I have never gone to the library in my pj's. I was wondering if anyone reads these.

Good luck this semester to everyone.

Thank you,

Rhea

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Kylagh Cornford from the VCC PIDP Program here,

Oh boy. The first week of EDUC 4250: Foundations of Online Teaching and Learning has actually been about five weeks for me. I had a work project that consumed my December so the whole online student time management struggle has been real.

My challenges include time management, balancing work/life/school, feeling intimidated to start something new and the stress of already feeling behind.

I'm currently setting aside weekend time to work on my projects and make a plan to complete the assignments. Also saying no to fun activities like snowshoeing has been a necessary, albeit sad, strategy for navigating these challenges.

A benefit for me is not being restricted to a place and time. Also the school had a grant which makes it financially viable for me.

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Benefits and Challenges - Online Education since 2009

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Benefits and Challenges - Online Education since 2009

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Hello everyone,

I would like to begin by sharing that e-learning is something I am super comfortable with, since I have been an e-learner since 2009. With that said, I have learned a lot about myself as a learner, and how to learn and share knowledge through my experience in the network for learning.

Benefits:

1. Time - the learning can take place any time, any place (if asynchronous).

2. Location - there is no commute involved as learning can take place from a living room, an office, a bedroom, and even a Jacuzzi.

3. Connections - learners are able to build connections with folks from all over the world. I think this part rocks!

Challenges:

1. Lack of in person social interaction - one the most powerful tools of e-learning can also be a major challenge for some learners.

2. Time management - learners must learn to manage their time. While they have deadlines, it is rarely wise to leave assignments to the last minute - I am speaking from experience.

3. Focus - sometimes with e-learning, learners are focused on what they want to learn and take out of a course. Sometimes that is good, while other times, this might cause a great challenge because of the material that the learner chooses to discard because they don't have to write a paper of be tested on that material. Again, this is both a challenge and a benefits depending on the point of view and the subject.

Challenges to me as an online learner -

I love online learning. It is likely my favourite kind of learning, and discovering it after many years of traditional learning, it has made an great difference in the way I positively view learning in my life. I do sometime have lack of motivation because some guidance is more remote and not available the same way as f2f. That is something that I am now dealing with as a doctoral learner at the thesis stage.

Addressing my challenges as an online learner -

That has been a long term goal of mine - to finish my doctoral thesis. I have recently acquired a coach who is helping keep me on task. This is something I struggle with given the resources required. However, if I was to compare it with the cost of traditional education in addition to having to take time off work, it is definitely more efficient. This would work differently for different people - for me, I am happy I have found that having a coach has made a positive difference in my life.

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Hello everyone, Andrew here.

I have gotten a slightly late start on this course because of working long hours, but I am more or less off for the next two weeks, so I plan to hit it hard.

This is of course my first challenge with this course, the time commitment. For online learning there isn't the same pressure to be on at my desk at the same time every day, so that is something that I need to work on.

Another challenge is that when I do have time at home, I would like to spend it with my wife, but she is very understanding about the need to get this work done.

A huge benefit of taking this course online, and that it is self-paced, is that I can work around my other schedule and perform tasks on weekends or even after hours in smaller doses.

I look forward to putting in the effort now that I have a minute to catch up, and learn as much as I can.

Thank you,

Andrew.

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Challenges:

1. For me is definetly time manegement. With a full-time job and a family, it is complicated to develop a consistent study schedule. The time that I have for study/reading is late at night, when my brain is completely off, or early in the morning, which I realize is the best time. Sometimes I can not follow the course schedule and my assignments are submitted after the due date, so I don't get feedback from my instructor, which I understand.

2. What works for me is developing a consistent study schedule that I try to keep as much as my work-life balance allows, setting realistic goals, and prioritizing tasks to manage wisely and effectively my time.

3. The benefit for me is that I can get the professional development that I always wanted and learn anytime and anywhere. I had to quit College 25 years ago because I had to work full-time and there wasn't any kind of flexibility for in-person classes. I could complete my degree when online learning was a reality.

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My greatest challenge comes from lack of previous education. I have been in my trade industry for nearly 3 decades and have no education experience after high school. Learning how to format and research properly has definitely been a challenge.

Couple that with my fear of seeming uneducated and out of place, I am reluctant to ask the instructor or classmates for guidance.

I need to focus more on being proud of myself for trying something new and challenging. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness and everyone is battling some challenge.

The greatest benefit to an online learning system is the ability to go at my own pace. I can read or reread something as many times as I need to in order to understand and not feel like I am missing other important information in a lecture type classroom. I am very much a self/hands on learner so I have found this a much more effective way for me to learn.

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What are the challenges for you as an online student?

Sometimes I try to be too self-directed.

You are thinking “Is this guy bragging? Wow, tone it down Mr. Self-Directed.”

I assure you I am not.

When I come across a challenging concept rather than asking a question to the online instructor I will search for the information on the internet.

The internet is vast, and there can be a huge amount of research online. Sometimes I find myself increasingly confused, lost down the rabbit-hole of knowledge, and suddenly I realize that I have been stuck in this hole for the last 4 hours and learned nothing helpful.

How are you going to deal with these challenges?

I can adapt CAT 13 One-sentence Summary from Angelo and Cross’ Classroom Assessment Techniques, A Handbook for College Teachers to help me study more efficiently and effectively.

For more information on how I would adapt CAT 13 feel free to reach out to me dclason3@gmail.com

What is the greatest benefit to you as a learner?

The greatest benefit of online learning is the flexibility.

I often work on my assignments in the middle of the night on weekends because there are less distractions, peace, and quiet.

The stillness helps me focus.

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I have found that online learning has been a great benefit for me due to the accessibility of doing it from home, at my own convenience. If these programs and courses were only offered in a f2f format, I wouldn't be able to take them. The flexibility of being able to watch a video multiple times, and the ability to have all the resources in one place has been very beneficial to my learning.

On the flip side, some of the challenges I have faced is time management and dividing up my time between school and my personal life. Sometimes it can be a struggle to find time in my day to sit down and read an article, or write an assignment when I have a job and a family, so I often try to schedule out my week. By doing this, I make sure I have enough time to dedicate to my studies.

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I've found that online learning has completely changed how I gain knowledge and develop skills. The best part is the flexibility it provides. This feature is invaluable to me as someone who values adaptable educational experiences. Accessing lectures, course materials, and discussions whenever and wherever I want allows me to plan my studies around my personal commitments. I can chart my own learning journey at my own pace and convenience.

However, this level of flexibility can also be quite challenging. To succeed in online learning, I've had to develop strong self-discipline and excellent time management skills. It takes careful planning and adequate time allocation to navigate the landscape of online education. I've had to resist procrastination and maintain a structured study routine. Strengthening my self-discipline and sharpening my time management skills has been pivotal in ensuring that the flexibility of online learning doesn't become a double-edged sword, creating obstacles in my progress and engagement. With the right mindset and approach, I believe that everybody could successfully maintain consistent progress and engagement in online learning.

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What are the challenges for you as an online student?

Time management is my biggest challenge. It's a lot of juggling with a demanding full-time job, family, and pets.

How are you going to deal with these challenges?

I found the personalized course calendar a simple but valuable tool to keep me on track. If the assignment is big, I list the bite-size tasks on my phone; I find it helpful to keep track. Sunday mornings are my quiet time, and I usually use the entire morning to focus on my coursework.

What is the greatest benefit to you as a learner?

Have a bird's-eye view of the whole course and prioritize so I don't fall behind. I value the flexibility of online courses; I can access the course material at any time.

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My greatest challenge for online learning is finding the time to complete the assignments. Working full time as an instructor and being a full time parent does not leave a lot of time to work on assignments.

For myself, the greatest benefit of learning online is being able to see the full workload of the course. Being able to look at what all the assignments entail allows me to create a schedule to complete the course. Also being able to work at your own pace is very helpful, some weeks I am too busy to work on assignments, and some weeks I am able to complete multiple.

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What are the challenges for you as an online student?

For me time management and the discipline to focus on assignments can be the most challenging  compared to a F2F course.

How are you going to deal with these challenges?

To keep myself accountable I need to schedule out time in my calendar to work on homework and course assignments. Though I find the material interesting and the work enjoyable to do its the sitting down and getting it done that is the most challenging.

What is the greatest benefit to you as a learner?

The rewards of accomplishing this program course by course with grades that I am proud of is the greatest benefit. Alongside the ongoing list of improvements I have to make to the course I currently teach is also growing each course that I take, the ‘ah-ha’ moments that come to surface have been the most beneficial.

Jess Chauhan

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I find that self-paced courses are a commitment test. It's very easy to let them slip by when life gets busy. I tend to rely upon having a set class time to increase accountability. As I get to know my own learning style, I've realized I can still make myself a scheduled learning time for online courses. I also am beginning to learn what times of day I am most productive. On the weekends I can do schooling from 10am-noon, but because that's not possible during the workweek, I've found that I can take a 1hr mental break after work, and get some good productivity between 5-7pm.

On the subject of metacognition and self-learning, I'm really trying to find how I can help myself learn more effectively. One thing I really need to implement more is time management systems. Things like "pomodoro timers" have been increasingly helpful during my PIDP. They basically run in the background, usually for 25 minutes so you can get some deep work done, but then the timer will go off and give you a 5 minute break. I am also experimenting with white noise and "lofi" instrumental background music to increase concentration. Its just enough stimulation for me to stay very productive, and working simultaneously with pomodoro timers, I find myself a lot more efficient and productive.

The benefits of online learning are vast and plentiful. For me, the flexibility of online courses are beneficial as it allows me to still learn and grow my skills around a busy life. Classes can be in person in the evenings or on the weekends. Online classes can also be at the same times, or they can be self paced for the maximum flexibility. I also anecdotally find that evening classes with other adult professionals to have so much more valuable discussions, especially in this PIDP program. I have never learned so much from peer discussions before taking this program.

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A challenge, some mitigation, and a benefit.

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A challenge, some mitigation, and a benefit.

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For me one challenge is my time management. A f2f class ensures that I am present and, I tend to actively participate just due to my personality. I allow myself to get pulled towards other tasks when I am in front of the computer at home. I have 2 young children and a Wife. I also have many projects present at work. As a result, I can easily make other tasks a priority over my schooling.

I tend to try and let my wife know what I intend my schedule to look like. This allows a reasonable set of expectations to be set for both of us around the house. I then set my own personal schedule that I need to follow. While I always appreciate when the Instructor has one ready for me at the beginning of the course, I tend want to move a different pace.

Which brings me to the greatest benefit. The flexibility of asynchronous learning. I am able to go into and out of the course as it suits me and my family. This flexible schedule allows me to complete the tasks when I have time without making home life harder. What more could I ask for?

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Challenges and Benefits of Online Learning.

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Challenges and Benefits of Online Learning.

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Hello.  My largest challenge with online learning is time management.  If I am completely honest, I have been extremely overwhelmed with life lately and that has complicated things.

Due to no fault of my own, I had to move my home and for several weeks had nowhere to go.  Luckily, I found a great place.  I had to pack and move while working full time during one of the busiest work times of the year, care for a dog, two horses, and a pony, attend a multitude of appointments, coach archery, while attempting to complete a course for the PIDP.  Then before I complete the PIDP course, it was time to start this one.  Now I have a third course starting on Monday.  I am praying that I have not bitten off more than I can chew. Hopefully, my determined nature will pull me through.

Why did I end up with three courses at once?  I was blessed to receive the BC Future Skills Grant.  That has helped me with a second challenge which is being able to financially afford the courses.  Since the grant is time sensitive, it has caused me to have deadlines for completing all three courses in order to take full advantage of it.

So how am I going to deal with this challenge?  I will need to manage my time efficiently so that I can complete my assignments on time.  Managing my time well should allow me to complete the first course early.  Then I can focus on completing this course early, and then focus on the remaining course that starts tomorrow.  I will need to keep myself motivated by focusing on my goals for my education and my dream of instructing Indigenous competency courses to educators and service providers.  Saving money by receiving the grant also motivates me and encourages me to endure the deadlines for using the funds.  I also do well when I reward myself.  I have planned a four day trip to Las Vegas with two of my besties.  The idea of sitting by the pool with a drink and enjoying some fun and good dining with these courses completed is extremely motivating.

The greatest benefit of online learning to me as a student is the flexibility. I can work at my own pace at the times I have available in my crazy schedule. I can also complete the courses in the comfort of my home which has made the learning more accessible for me. I would not be able to achieve my plan of completing all three courses before my trip without the flexibility provided.

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Great to know I am in good company, and thanks for sharing your own experiences, everyone!

As a working father, the flexibility that online learning offers is a game changer. Without online options, I would not be able to participate in this course. Or any of the other courses that I have completed over the past years.

Of course with that flexibility comes challenges, procrastination would be the leading one. Not having direct in-person peers to form accountability groups with, or having scheduled times for class can make it easy for me to put things off and fall behind quickly!

So far I know that scheduling time throughout the week, in smaller 45-minute intervals is how I can best get work done.

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Benefits vs Challenges of Online learning

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Benefits vs Challenges of Online learning

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I have working teaching online for about a year in a blended setting which is  synchronized instructor led method.  Returning to the role of a student has been eye opening.
As an online student the biggest benefit for me has to be the self paced, asynchronized learning environment.
However, this can turn into the biggest challenge as well, because there is so more more effort needed to  be self disciplined with my time management. I work two jobs; a full time teaching job and I pick up extra shift work at times. As I have a family with a small child. My partner is very supportive which is  a benefit, however, my little one does not understand why mommy is busy and when I am present he wants all of my attention.
I do plan to deal with this challenge by prioritizing my time well, staying on top of my own education incase life happens, I need to be organized in order to keep up on the all aspects of my life.  Take time out for my child to ensure his needs are met.
The benefit of self paced, asynchronized learning, it allows for flexibility with my schedule.

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Benefits and Challenges of Online learning 

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Benefits and Challenges of Online learning 

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What are the challenges for you as an online student?

When I first started doing online course, it was overwhelming as it was something new. As a lifelong procrastinator, I had to figure out how to keep myself on task and get assignments done. As an adult learner, the responsibility is on me to get the job done, as I chose to do this course.

How are you going to deal with these challenges?

To deal with these challenges, I am using the course schedule and my phone calendar to keep track of all the assignments that are due. I am taking the course day by day and breaking it up into chunks. Just focus on the now of what needs to be done. If you focus on all the assignments at once, it can be overwhelming.

What is the greatest benefit to you as a learner?

My greatest benefit is having the ability to continue to learn and grow as an instructor. You are never to old to learn something new and to share your knowledge with others. When you do online learning asynchronously at home, you have the flexibility to have a great work/ life balance as you can do the work when you have time in your pajamas at home.

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The main challenge I have faced so far in this course is the homogeneity of the pedagogical nature of online education. Please correct me if I am wrong, but it was a ghost of any opposed disposition towards this trend in postmodern societies' social communication. I have not had the chance yet to enrich my perception of this modality, mainly due to the lack of information on the whole spectrum of the nowadays most demanding model of facilitating learning experiences based on the web, the internet bringing along a theory of learning, "Connectivism."

How much has been said from the opposition, if one exists now in time, to the boom of this global trend of online education? Who are they, and is there any political interest behind their opposed narrative? What is the primary concern of the outcome of breaking with the traditional face-to-face model of teaching/instruction? What is Constructivism, the pedagogical guideline to facilitate authentic learning opportunities in online education? Why is it challenging to the emotional, psychological, social, and cognitive dimensions of the individuals attending only online courses and programs? There must be answers to these questions, as this is a global trend in education; a community of education professionals has already inquired about the main motors for this modality in education. What are the main interests of this boom? I found an infographic showing statistics about e-learning and how fast the demand is growing. In my eyes, the biggest challenge to this educational modality is the rapid increase of need when institutions don't have the financial means, primarily as the corporations and companies do have; therefore, I see two main challenges: first, the companies are creating jobs to fulfill the need for online instructional designers and facilitators, the demand is so significant that the tendency is to substitute the human facilitator with the computer's software or any other technological device and the teachers from the old school bus are bringing the same habits and didactical tics into this virtual context of learning; which, demands a diverse online facilitating strategies and a different set of instruction skills to fit the needs of the online learners—second, Responding to the needs of the corporate and business industry which would be the educational philosophy as the framework for this trend in education? Would it be similar to the consumerist society established for those corporations and business people where what matters is what you possess and what you show that differentiates you from others? When more courses are under my pouch, the better set of skills I have to do good for the community or myself first of all?

There is more to explore in the benefits and challenges of recovering the information from a different perspective on this virtual phenomenon and the opposite narrative to the corporate trend in online adult education.

The emotional dimension of the teaching-learning process is far from being addressed and understood in traditional face-to-face contexts. The emotional aspect of our communication process with the environment has not been studied enough to develop practical knowledge based on our findings. How can we launch an educational revolution for online modalities when we have not successfully designed an effective face-to-face curriculum that suits each student participating in our educational programs?

This next video is three years old and touches base with the need to humanize online teaching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwSOeRcX9NI

The majority of the posts on this online forum express the benefits of flexibility and accessibility provided by online education. However, a significant number of people worldwide don't have access to these advantages due to lack of resources. Some people don't have a mobile device with a good internet connection, and in the worst cases, some don't even own a cell phone to access the vast amount of information available on the internet, which privileged individuals take for granted in their daily lives.

video for reference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mxD7Ho7Jgg

The most significant benefit to me as an online student is the liberty I have to explore my interests, and "commercial knowledge" sounds very appealing to answer the question, "What are you going to deal with these challenges? What is the greatest benefit to you as a learner? Explore the opposite side of this trend with the idea of understanding this global phenomenon; at the same time, I keep understating the commercial knowledge concept in this new era of learning. The more information I review, the better my understanding of it to support my creation of knowledge on this matter.

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E-learning has taken the world by storm ever since the pandemic took place, but how far has it changed the world? Recent eLearning statistics reveal that over 70% of students in the United States wish to learn through online means even after the pandemic has long gone.

In this article, I have gathered the relevant facts on e-learning statistics with proven data that will help you understand the actual growth of e-learning in today's world.

I will also share my thoughts on the e-learning industry towards the end!

What is eLearning?

A literal definition of "online learning" is suggested in the name itself. It is a way of visually learning knowledgeable or educational modules while not being physically present in the same room as the instructor hosting the lessons.

Over the years, online learning has developed vastly and has been curated in various forms. The most popular online learning module is self-paced learning.

With self-paced learning, you are given the freedom of taking the lessons whenever you want, however you want, and wherever you want. It is like you are carrying a pre-recorded lecture in your hands and can access it anytime from your mobile.

Through online learning, all the tricky sections are broken down into simple understanding modules, making it convenient for the average learner using it.

eLearning is a popular learning method, but it's important to be aware of the pros and cons before you decide if it's right for you. Learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of eLearning by clicking on the links below.

E-learning Statistics 2023 (Top Picks)

Here are some of the highlights from the eLearning industry as of 2023:

1. The E-Learning Market is worth over 325 billion in 2023 and is forecasted to grow at a 20% CAGR from 2022 to 2028.

2. The US e-learning market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. According to the forecast, it will increase by $12.81 billion between 2020 and 2024.

3. The number of online learning platform users is expected to reach 57 million by 2027.

4. After using e-learning, US firms saw a 42% boost in income.

5. With e-Learning, business retention rates rise from 25% to 60%.

6. For US IT businesses, e-Learning implementation resulted in savings of more than $200 million.

7. 9 out of 10 businesses offer E-learning opportunities to their employees.

8. The corporate e-learning industry is anticipated to expand by about 142% between 2021 and 2026.

9. E-learning is the quickest-growing market in the education sector.

10. 73% of students in the USA want to continue taking online classes after the pandemic.

11. 41.7% of global Fortune 500 companies use some form of E-learning technology to train their employees.

12. India's E-learning startup Byju is the Nation's biggest and the World's 13th biggest Unicorn, with a valuation of $22.6 billion.

Recent eLearning Statistics (What's New in 2023?)

Due to the advancement in technology and modernization, the scope for online learning is growing on a wide scale globally. The following are the highlights of recent online learning statistics on various parameters and their effect on global education:

E-learning statistics on Business:

1. 93% of global firms are switching to online learning since it is convenient and easy to use during pandemic situations. Even if the company does not switch completely, it will use online learning as an alternative. (Finances online)

2. Organizations using e-learning for soft skills training see over 50% more revenue per employee compared to those who don't.

3. Employee retention rates rose from 25% to 60% for companies with comprehensive e-learning programs.

4. Companies that offer training completion incentives see course completion rates rise from 35% to 85% on average.

5. Employees who get e-learning training are 36% more likely to stay at their company for at least 3 years.

6. Corporations saved an average of $200-300 per employee when replacing instructor-led training with online courses.

7. 77% of particular companies incorporated e-learning into their work to make use of it and learn in-demand skills for the desired work related to their field, which resulted in an accelerated workflow. (E-learning Industry)

8. Employees' preference for using self-paced e-learning lessons is 58%, which shows that most employees like to take e-learning courses in their leisure time after work or during the weekends. (NCES)

9. E-learning in corporate sectors takes 45% less time than traditional in-person learning as it disrupts the workflow and creates a mess in the schedule. (eLearning Industry)

10. Income generation scaled up in 42% of companies that used e-learning modules due to apparent reasons because the learning can be applied practically, and the rest is history. The company value grows and starts ranking at the top. (Tech Jury)

E-learning statistics Globally:

1. According to the data from Finances Online, over 93% of companies around the globe are planning to adopt e-learning.

2. $33 Billion decline in the self-paced e-learning system by 2021, which showed reports that most people prefer e-learning with live classes instead. (E-Learning Industry)

3. The SHIFT study suggested that IBM saved around $200 million by switching to online learning.

4. $38 Billion increase seen in the market exclusively for e-learning mobile is recorded, which showed that users tend to take lessons on handy devices on the run. (Finances Online)

5. 70% of e-learning traffic is obtained from Europe and the US. Although e-learning classes are consumed across the globe, the mentioned places have gathered a wide range of audiences and loyal user base. (Skill Scouter)

Let's have a look at the size of the Global e-learning market from 2019 to 2026 by segment.

1. It is estimated that the E-learning market for the Asia Pacific will grow by 11% (90 billion) by 2026.

2. According to a recent study, the online market share in India is expected to hit over $8.6 billion by the year 2026.

3. The Technavio study suggests that the European online learning market is predicted to reach $28 billion in the upcoming 5 years.

4. Up to 2028, the German e-learning industry is expected to expand at a 22% CAGR.

E-learning statistics for Academics:

1. 50% of learners following the academic curriculum shifted to e-learning in 2021. Plus, most schools have started implementing e-learning into their schedule. (Skill Scouter)

2. 3% of college students in the US said that e-learning tools are useful. (Statista)

3. In the previous 12 months, 49% of students globally tried at least one online course.

4. E-learning classes promise a 72% succession rate compared to standard teaching modules. Still, in-person classes top the charts with the stats. (EdTech Magazine)

5. According to Statista, 81% of college students in the US believed that using e-learning technologies had improved their academic performance.

6. 40% of students going to college say that e-learning is more efficient than in-person training, and the modules are simplified for better understanding. (Statista)

7. 36% of students reveal that e-learning benefits structured lessons and personalized teaching. The students can easily adapt to the tutoring. (Statista)

8. 73% of students in the USA want to continue taking online classes after the pandemic. These figures are from a study by Digital Pulse Learning of over 1400 students.

9. 25-60% of students retain more material when they are learning online as compared to traditional methods. (Shiftelearning)

10. Wiley's survey of 1,500 students reveals that more than half of students opt for online education due to the fact that it is more economical than college. (Wiley)

Here is a table showing factors that affect students choosing E-learning in 2023:
E-learning statistics on Online learning platforms:

1. As per the study from 2022, there were 220 million people who enrolled in at least one MOOC.

2. MOOCs saw a staggering 40 million sign-ups in 2021 alone. By 2022, there were 220 million sign-ups, a rapid increase.

3. Revenue in online learning platforms is projected to reach $2.85 billion in 2023.

4. The global learning management system (LMS) market is projected to grow at over 15% CAGR from 2022-2026, reaching $34 billion.

5. As of 2021, the top 3 LMS providers by market share are Cornerstone OnDemand (18%), SAP Litmos (11%), and Docebo (8%).

6. Online learning platforms' user penetration is 11.6% in 2023 and is expected to hit 16.6% by 2027.

Here is a table showing the penetration rate of online learning platform users over the years:

1. E-learning on MOOCs might hit $25.55 billion in the following years and could pave the way to a new era in the online learning community. (Tech Jury)

2. Udemy ranks first among the best online learning platforms. Udemy also produces high-quality content in a variety of niches and categories. (Skill Scouter)

3. Followed by Udemy (49 million), Teachable has over 18 million users, making it the second most visited online learning platform on a global scale. (Skill Scouter)

4. SkillShare has over 12 million users and 35,000+ classes as of 2023.

5. The top 500 teachers on Skillshare have an average revenue of $2,000 each month, according to the Wall Street Journal.

6. Masterclass has over 150 courses across various categories as of 2023. (Masterclass)

7. A total revenue generation of $47 billion was recorded by online learning platforms, reflecting that most users prefer e-learning. (Forbes)

The COVID-19 virus has shaken the world by storm in various ways, and the e-learning sector is also one of the sectors impacted by the pandemic.

1. In 2020, the use of e-learning platforms grew by over 400% after lockdowns and remote work arrangements.

2. There were over 51% of companies expanded their online curriculum due to COVID-19.

3. 43% of educational institutions have started venturing into e-learning modules or at least incorporated e-learning as a part of their curriculum for efficient learning. (Admissionsly)

4. 98% of examinations conducted across the world have transitioned to online mode despite the competency and the traditional protocol followed. (Admissionsly)

5. 82% of companies said they plan to continue using e-learning even after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

6. Virtual instructor-led training saw a boom, with over 60% growth between February and May 2020 at the start of the pandemic.

7. Industry analysts predict the COVID-19 accelerated adoption of e-learning is here to stay, estimating over 30% annual growth through 2023.

8. 27% of learners say access to online training positively impacted their job security during COVID-19.

9. Mobile E-learning remains one of the fastest-growing markets in the sector. It is now forecasted that the Mobile E-learning market will continue to grow at a 25% CAGR between 2022 and 2028. This is majorly due to the increase in smartphone users due to the pandemic. (Globe News Wire)

10. 59% of respondents in Wiley's survey said that the pandemic made them consider enrolling in an E-learning program. (Wiley)

eLearning Course Selection and Enrollment Statistics

Statista carried out a survey similar to statistic number "29 " and got a different outcome. We at Prosperity for America believe that people should be aware of both sides of the coin, so we include this section to show the results of that survey. Below are the findings:

"specific field of study" is the leading reason for online college selection among students in the United States.

Below is the table showing all the leading reasons:

The Future of eLearning

The explosive growth of eLearning in recent years, coupled with projected market values reaching billions of dollars. This indicates a promising future for online learning platforms and sets the stage for transformative trends in the coming years.

Let's have a look at some interesting stats on what the future of eLearning looks like.

1. By 2025, approximately 50% of all corporate training is expected to take place via e-learning platforms, up from under 15% pre-COVID.

2. Mobile learning will continue strong growth, with projections for the market to increase by 27% annually through 2028.

3. The e-learning market was worth around $210.1 billion in 2021 and is estimated to hit approximately $848.12 billion by 2030.

4. The global e-learning market is forecast to reach almost $400 billion by 2026.

5. Virtual reality-based training will see more than 900% market growth in the next 4 years, hitting $14.5 billion by 2023.

6. Adaptive learning using AI will become more widespread, personalizing e-learning experiences for a potential market size of $12.5 billion by 2027.

7. Learning experience platforms (LXPS) will disrupt the LMS market, growing at a CAGR of 25% through 2026.

E-learning Trends for 2023

Here is a quick overview of the top E-learning trends that you must look out for in 2023.

1.) Artificial Intelligence: AI has made past simple smartphone commands. It has made its way into E-learning. AI is now able to guide users through their learning process. Not just that, it also gives the freedom of personalization. If you are quick to harness the power of AI, you can gain a significant edge over your competitors.

2.) Mobile Learning: Smartphones nowadays can do everything. What seemed like a dream a few years back is now a reality. You can operate your whole business with just a smartphone. People are doing everything on smartphones these days, and E-learning is no different. If you can optimize your course for mobile users, you can unlock a wide range of audiences. It is important to note that smartphone usage has risen tremendously during the pandemic period.

3.) Augmented Reality: Augmented reality (AR) can boost students ' engagement by allowing them to interact more actively with the learning material rather than just receiving it verbally. One major benefit of this technique is that it greatly improves knowledge retention and adds more value to teachings that are best communicated in real-world situations.

4.) Gamification: Game-like components can be used in an e-learning plan to improve the learner's engagement. For instance, leader's boards can introduce a pleasant competitive element to online courses, encouraging students to outperform one another while working toward their learning goals.

Course Creator Statistics

Behind every top-rated eLearning course is an experienced instructor - the course creators driving this $8 billion industry face increasing demand for fresh, engaging content.
Bonus: Want to become a course creator? Read our article on How to create an online course.

1. There were over 110,000 new course uploads to Udemy in 2020, the leading marketplace for individual course creators.

2. The average Udemy course creator earns between $1,000-$2,000 annually for their courses. Top earners make over $1 million.

3. LinkedIn Learning has paid out $100 million to over 11,000 expert instructors on their platform since launching in 2015.

4. Over 75% of customers say the quality of e-learning courses is a major factor in purchasing decisions and retention.

5. Course creators can expect to spend 8-10 hours developing one hour of interactive e-learning content on average.

6. Over 80% of corporate e-learning courses are now developed using rapid authoring tools like Articulate and Adobe Captivate rather than pure programming.

7. Gamification, social learning, and microlearning are key trends that creators must incorporate more of to drive engagement.

8. The typical e-learning course development team is 3-5 people, usually consisting of an instructional designer, subject matter expert, graphic artist, and producer.

9. More than 60% of companies plan to expand their network of content creators in 2022 to meet rising e-learning demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

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eLearning Statistics 2023 - Facts, Trends & Predictions

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Here are our eLearning statistics that will give you a complete insight into the facts, trends, and predictions surrounding online learning!

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Benefits and Challenges of Online Learning

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Benefits and Challenges of Online Learning

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I work full time and the flexibility of online learning is giving me the opportunity to advance my career with the PIDP. However, while I have the flexibility to take courses, I am on a computer most of the day and need a break from it, so logging back in to do an online course is the last thing I want to do most work days.

It requires lots of discipline on my part and there are always lots of potential distractions of daily life. I took a break from courses over the summer and am finding it challenging to incorporate assignments back into my routine.

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A large part of my daily work and world has been online for almost 20 years now. In different ways and in different roles. It suits my introverted self to be in control of when and how to communicate.
Now that I sometimes teach online the technology seems easy to handle.
To me the biggest challenge is to keep people in mind that are less at home in the online world.
Something I didn't get to expand on in my video is the fact that a surprising amount of students have no secure way to access the internet from home because of economic reasons.
Broadband Internet needs to be made a basic necessity of life and offered for free, everywhere in Canada.
I don't believe that the problem is logistics but rather the willingness to let go of some of the profits of the Internet Service Providers.

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Benefits & Challenges of Online Learning:

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Benefits & Challenges of Online Learning:

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Benefits: Flexibility in accessing material, reviewing and studying. Opportunity to watch the videos and review material. It's been great since English is my second language.

Challenges: Time and stress management.
I am a working Mom. I sometimes find myself so stressed in doing everything at the same time. I also struggled a bit with online platform and how to navigate through the course. It got so much better right after the first course.

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Benefits and Challenges of online learning after the first week.

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Benefits and Challenges of online learning after the first week.

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It's great to read all of these posts and understand that most people are facing the same challenges. I am trying to juggle kids, work, life and study. A big challenge for me has been returning to study after many years and suffering from a huge bout of imposter syndrome.
Entering Moodle for the first time and working through the list of activities was overwhelming as it must be for the majority of online learners, I have overcome that this week by using the scheduler and breaking everything down in to tasks and deadlines.
The benefit for me is that I can work flexibly and go back and review material as needed.
Lisa

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Benefits & Challenges of Online Learning

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Benefits & Challenges of Online Learning

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As a learning and development professional, I have a lot of experience both in F2F and online platforms. The challenges of online learning for myself is making time to stay on top of spacing out learning while juggling being a mom, having a career and running an online business. How I overcome this is planning out my entire week and identifying blocks of time that focus on my online learning, additionally having the dedication/motivation to stick with those appointments can become a challenge. Alternatively, having flexibility to schedule when I can work on my online studies works with my busy schedule.

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Benefits & Challenges of Online Learning

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Benefits & Challenges of Online Learning

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One of the challenges that I have as an online learner is that I am not very tech savy.  It has been a big learning curve for me in taking online courses and using many of the programs that we are being asked to use.  One of the ways that I deal with this challenge is watching any tutorials that the instructor has provided, as well as asking family or friends for help in navigating a new program or app.  I have also found that just taking it one assignment/week at a time prevents me from feeling overwhelmed, as when you look at the whole course on moodle at once it can become very overwhelming.

One of the biggest benefits to me in taking online courses is that I can work at my own pace and work around my schedule.

- Daniel Sharpe

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My first week as an online student was a mix of excitement and uncertainty. While the course materials were informative, I faced a challenge with the upgraded Moodle platform, which was unfamiliar and not very user-friendly. As an online learner, I encountered several challenges, such as adapting to the virtual environment, managing my time effectively, and dealing with feelings of isolation due to the absence of face-to-face interactions.

To overcome these challenges, I committed to understanding the Moodle platform better, sought guidance from instructors, and VCC IT Helpdesk  for support. I also created a structured schedule to manage my time efficiently and actively participated in online discussions to build a sense of community.

The greatest benefit of online learning was the flexibility it offered. I could tailor my study environment and pace to my preferences, enhancing my focus and retention of information. Additionally, the wealth of digital resources and tools enriched my learning experience and encouraged independent exploration.

By embracing adaptability and self-motivation, I believe I can make the most of this educational journey as an online learner and thrive in the digital age. Sharing my reflections may provide valuable insights to others navigating similar experiences and foster a deeper understanding of the benefits and challenges of online education.

Best Regards,
Farhad

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I use a white board to set goals, priorities and due dates, and to carry over due dates, unfinished business etc. Otherwise I forget or find something else to do.  Distractions are a challenge for me as well. Or it is possibly procrastinating. I find some of the learning assignments tedious just like month end paperwork. The main benefit is the flexibility, I usually do school work or any paper work in the morning, but it can be done anywhere anytime.   I find learning to be very parallel to recovery.

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I use a white board to set goals, priorities and due dates, and to carry over due dates, unfinished business etc. Otherwise I forget or find something else to do.  Distractions are a challenge for me as well. Or it is possibly procrastinating. I find some of the learning assignments tedious just like month end paperwork. The main benefit is the flexibility, I usually do school work or any paper work in the morning, but it can be done anywhere anytime.   I find learning to be very parallel to recovery.

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One thing I do do that I believe helps me to be successful: Look the whole thing over early on. Print off the due dates and assignments and get them on my whiteboard calender. I know what is coming up over the next five or six weeks and I read over the assingment. I don't try to take any assignment in one big chuck, just a little at a time and keep coming back to it.  It is nice to have this time in case i get jambed in on something and just need to walk away from it for a while.
steve

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Benefits and Challenges as a student of online learning

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Benefits and Challenges as a student of online learning

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From my experience in the PIDP I have found that a big benefit to online learning is the availability of online references and resources. When doing my own self learning on topics of interest, I will search the internet for helpful video tutorials and blogs which have greatly expanded my knowledge.

A big challenge for me with an online course is time management and finding the time after working all day, coming home to spend time with my family, and finally trying to jump into my course once I have put 2 kids to bed (and fallen asleep myself in the process). For the past few months I have found myself to physically tired, and make little progress even when I do spend time in my course.

Traditionally I would try to carve out large chunks of time (early morning or late night) to try to make progress in my coursework, but will be attempting to pick away my course in smaller increments of time, more often.

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Benefits and Challenges of Online Learning

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Benefits and Challenges of Online Learning

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The challenges to online learning that I experience are:  distraction, time management and self-discipline.  For me, they are all interrelated, but distraction is the top of the list for me.  If I don't address it, I can fall behind in the course work.

I address being distracted by planning for distractions.   Rather than sitting down and spending 5 hours on the course in one sitting, I may have 2-3 times during the day where I look and read the material.   I start early, I do not do too much in one sitting, and between sittings, I think about what I have learned.   This allows me to process what I have learned before moving on.  I also work on being ahead of schedule so if I have a sick day, or life happens, it is okay.

I love online learning.  I find that with a well organized course, I can easily navigate through the material and know what is expected.  I prefer asynchronous over synchronous and love the time flexibility it offers.

Sharon
Prince George

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My thoughts on the benefits and challenges of online learning: 

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My thoughts on the benefits and challenges of online learning: 

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Benefits:  Flexibility in scheduling when I can access, review and complete  the  learning materials and activities.   I have the opportunity to continue with my education because I can arrange time around my work schedule and personal responsibilities.

Challenges: Time management and motivation to keep on track with learning activities.  Learning online takes more effort and time as I need to read through or watch video learning materials independently. If I don't grasp a concept, I have to find resources to help me better understand it or re-read material to understand it. (If in a classroom, not online, I could be asking the instructor or peers for their thoughts. There would be immediate feedback.)

How would deal with my challenge? I have to keep organised and reserve time each week to review and complete work. I have to not 'overbook' myself with work or other activities.

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Benefits & Challenges of Online Learning 

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Benefits & Challenges of Online Learning 

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Before I wrote my responses, I reviewed some of the other students responses, and felt comforted. Between a demanding a career, family, friends, self-care, and other interests, I find that time is always a factor.  A challenge is also not knowing how much research and time (again) will be required to complete a well done assignment. I find too, that there are many items each week to be completed in addition to the assignment can bring about some stress emotions.

Taking the time each week to itemize tasks and block off time helps. Ensuring workouts, an organized home, and regular meditations help.

This is my second to last course of the PIDP. To obtain the Diploma is an enormous benefit for me personally, professionally, and entrepreneurially!

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After going through the material for week 1, I realized that I am not alone but rather share a lot of the same challenges that the professors in the videos do. For example, the student interaction. It is much easier to have in a face to face setting, but at time, as a student and instructor of online course, I feel a little bit isolated sometimes. But with apps like padlet and forums on Moodle, we can still have these interactions online that help create a sense of community.

A huge benefit of online teaching and learning is freedom. For example, in this course, we can work at our own pace. We can get ahead or we can slow it down a bit and really map out our own schedule to complete the course. This is a huge advantage for me as I am currently working full time while completing the PIDP. We can also save resources and view them as many times as needed.

But, in the end, I believe that online learning is just going to keep growing and in taking theses course, it really provides a lot of insight on how I can apply everything that I have learned here, into my course and teaching style.

-Miki Arambulo

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The greatest benefit of online learning is that you can continue to work and take care of family obligations. Online courses offer flexibility to work on the coursework at your pace and meet deadlines. It is a well-designed course.

Arvind

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I think my biggest challenges in being an online learner are distractions and technology.

Being distracted from online learning is easy to do when you are at home with a million things to do right in front of you. I am someone who always has multiple projects on the go on top of taking care of my daughter and keeping up with housework. I also find studying and attending synchronous sessions or zoom meetings difficult when my daughter is home as it's hard for her to comprehend that I am not available when I am at home.

I find that by creating a quiet comfortable space away from high-traffic areas in my home is helpful in eliminating distractions and that pull for me to “just get this one thing done first”. Further, I have learned to be more transparent with my daughter by telling her when and for how long I will be busy at my computer.

Technology poses challenges for me as I have normally been in hands-on and face-to-face interactions both in my career as a hairstylist and instructor. I am not as familiar with the technology as some of my peers and sometimes feel as though I'm always needing to “catch up”. This results in many more hours figuring it out.

Over time I have become much better at reaching out to others who are more familiar with the technology to ask for help. For example, I was never faced with having to navigate zoom before I started this program. I contacted my sister who has had lots of experience with it and we had a zoom meeting so she could show me the basics.

As an online learner, although there are challenges, I can say the benefits do outweigh the challenges. The biggest benefits to me: are no commute which saves time, being able to go over lessons/videos/reading as many times as I need to fully grasp and understand the content, working at my own pace, managing my own learning and the community of teachers and peers I have access to.

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Benefits and Challenges of online learning after the first week and reading 

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Benefits and Challenges of online learning after the first week and reading 

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Let's start with the greatest challenge of online learning for me and after doing the reading for the first week.

This will be my 9th online course including the capstone. I had 4 month break between finishing my Capstone for instructor diploma and starting this course for the teaching online certificate.

I thought because  I've taken so many online course before and I  have fully got the feel for how this all works that it would be easy to jump right back in but sadly I was wrong. I am happy that I Have embraced that confusion  is a part of the learning process. will allow myself the time to slowly get back into the grove of things.

after the reading we had this week I can fully understand how motivation can be hard to keep going in an online course and finding balance between this course, work and life.

On the that note I see and have known the huge benefit of taking online course. thats the convenience of doing the course work when ever you can. I started a new part in like of being a full time caregiver for my mom and having the flexibility to work this course work into my schedule is everything for me right now.

I can not wait to learn more of the benefits of online learning and finding solutions to the challenges.

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The benefits and challenges of online learning encompass motivation for me. The benefit of online learning is the option for finishing assignments at your pace. There have been some weeks where finding time to work on assignments is a struggle and weekends when I can focus multiple hours towards studying. Learning online was my only option for becoming an instructor with my lifestyle and current career. Finding the PIDP program gave me the motivation and inspiration to go after a goal I never thought I could reach for.
Some challenges I have encountered with online learning have mainly been focused around learning language for these courses that I knew nothing about. Every time I would start a new course I would have to spend time looking up the meaning of words and then reread the texts or assignments to make sure I understood what I needed to do. The struggle was consistent but my motivation to become an instructor was continuously stronger than my fear of failure. I am still a little nervous each time I start a new course but the confidence I gain from completing one after another is motivation in spades.

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Benefits and Challenges of Online Learning 

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Benefits and Challenges of Online Learning 

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Distractions abound! I started working remotely and taking online classes at the start of the pandemic, and have really enjoyed the change. One distinct thing that stands out for me since Covid hit is that I've become an amazing cook, and my plants are thriving more than ever!

Logging into my online courses regularly is easy, but after a while I sometimes start looking around my living room for things that need attention. This typically happens after an hour or so. My eyes usually land on my cute, snuggly dog or my plants.

To address distractions during my online learning, I  break my study time into manageable chunks with short breaks.  I set a timer for 30-60 minutes, depending on the course content and activities. If there are a variety of interesting resources and activities, it's easier to go for longer sessions. Text heavy courses require shorter sessions and more frequent breaks so I can stay engaged with the content.

On another level, distractions equal flexibility for me as an online learner, which is a huge benefit!

As mentioned, I've become a better cook, and I get to spend more quality time with my plants and my dog.

I love the flexibility of online learning, particularly in asynchronous classes. Gone are the days of having to be in a classroom when I'm tired, distracted, or mentally unprepared for any reason.

With online classes I can log in at any time when my mind is awake and ready to learn, which for me is a very important aspect of education.

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MOTIVATION! Online learning allows me so much!  I have the freedom to interpret how I'd like, read what I'd like, dive down the rabbit hole of other articles authors have written, skip ahead and start plotting my thoughts for the next several assignments... So much.

However, the downside, the challenge, for all this freedom and access is motivation to stay the course. I am feeling, after this week, much the same way I was feeling when I completed the PIDP, which is that I am an outlier.  I am feeling as though the things I am taking away from each course are not what is intended, or at least, not intended to be the main attraction. It is a challenge for me to stay focused on the task at hand and complete the assignments as intended, complete the reading as indented, and compete the course as intended really!  In person our perspectives are narrowed, our exposure is limited, and our time is predetermined. As an online student it is entirely my responsibility to stay the course, and entirely my fault when I don't.

How do I deal?  Not well?  "C's get degrees!" is how I deal.  I am granting myself grace to do what I need to to pass this course for the sake of the structured program and the expected outcomes on a piece of paper, but I am allowing myself to focus my actual energy on chasing the rabbit down the hole, or diving in where the benefits may not be seen in this course at all. I am allowing myself to get everything out of this course that I want and can use, and not stress out about the perfection that won't be achieved.

The greatest benefit to me as a learner is hands down the asynchronous access.

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PIDP is the first program I have worked through online and it has taught me a lot about myself. I used to pride myself on time management and project management skills. There are nights I come home exhausted from work and cringe at the idea of sitting down to research and complete assignments, but recognize that even a small contribution of time will get me ahead to my goals. Many times, I end up choosing a yoga class or an hour of TV to wind down and regret leaving my work so late.

Aside from the challenges, I love the ability to log into the course at any time and work at my own pace. Going through this program remotely has been a huge confidence booster for my ability to design content and facilitate online. PIDP has a clear direction and marries the courses well and I find myself referring to books and articles from each course to put projects together.

I would recommend anyone to take at least one online course to challenge themselves and uncover new ways that they can learn and connect with others!

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Benefits and Challenges of Online Learning

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Benefits and Challenges of Online Learning

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The biggest challenge for me with online courses is always managing the time when it is an asynchronous course. This is a non-issue for a synchronous online or in-person course because I simply wouldn't enroll if my schedule did not allow it. With a more open-ended schedule it is easier to work at my own pace but just as easy to set something aside for a day or two.

I usually manage this by creating my own schedule, different from the official schedule laid out by the course. For instance, I know when I will have more or less free time to engage with the content and complete the assignments so I can frontload some of the work before my schedule gets busy with my own teaching.

The greatest benefit to me as a learner from online courses is exactly the biggest challenge: the flexibility. In-person courses are a greater time commitment and more rigid in scheduling so it limits my ability to take courses in the first place.

I am looking forward to going through all of the material of this course to see how I can improve my own online (or in-person) courses. I've already gained some great insights just from the first week of content.

- Jonathon

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The climb when muscle soreness kicks in and the view mmmm the view

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The climb when muscle soreness kicks in and the view mmmm the view

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The benefits of figuring something out by yourself, the "AHA" moment of online learning can create passion and motivation that can last a long time. This is one of the most beneficial aspect of online learning. In order to get there....you have many trials and errors, you have to "waste" many hours trying to figure it out. That is one of the challenging thing about online learning.

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The biggest challenge for me as an online learner is staying organized and motivated. "Out of sight, out of mind" rings very true to me and I can often forget about an online course in between all the responsibilities of the physical world.

The way that I deal with this challenge is to bring attention and awareness to my responsibilities in the course. I set reminders for myself in the calendar for due dates. I leave textbooks or readings on the dining table so that I am reminded of the course. I print out the recommended course schedule and write down the days that I am going to work on assignments or readings. I set aside a time each week that is consistent to provide structure in my schedule.

The greatest benefit to me as a learner is the flexibility that online learning provides. It is convenient to fit online learning in the evenings after work or on the weekends when there are less responsibilities to balance. I think without online learning, I could not imagine finding the time to finish the PIDP program.

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Picture of myself working with the AIIR Unit.

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Challenges and Benefits of Online Learning

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Challenges and Benefits of Online Learning

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The biggest challenge for me as an online student is balancing work, family, and school obligations and responsibilities. It is not impossible but it does take a lot of organization and time management. The one struggle is remembering to take time for myself amongst all of the other things that need to get done. I try to give myself a break at least once a week to go for a walk, watch a movie with family or just "relax." I have dealt well with this balancing act (LOL) as I strive to stay focused and get the tasks completed, after all, this schedule too will change as I near completion of PIDP. The greatest part of online courses for me is that I can work at my own pace and engage with course content as often as I require and at any time that works for me. I have enjoyed this aspect as PIDP is the first online program that I have enrolled in. This flexibility has made the entire experience quite positive for me.
I am looking forward to this course and further exploration into online learning.

Trenna

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Benefits and Challenges of Online Learning

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Benefits and Challenges of Online Learning

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What a week!

There can be many challenges to online learning; but for me it is Harry. I am currently on maternity leave and with a super active baby learning for me happens between 8-10pm if that. They say babies nap, but very little napping is happening. Additionally, I volunteer for an organization called Mamas for Mamas; I help moderate Facebook pages and I am a resource coordinator in Langley/Surrey.

With these new found challenges as this is new for me, I have started scheduling out my "class" time to get the reading done, and work on assignments. Utilizing the nap times I do get to pull resources, this way when I can sit and focus everything is there for me.

For me as a online learner, I am able to upgrade my education when works for me. After maternity leave I am back full-time at work so the online classes allow me to continue that growth and not lose that part of myself.

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As an older adult learner, technology is my biggest stumbling block! Trying to figure out a new platform, clicking on links that take me down rabbit holes...sometimes I spend the time I have scheduled for course work simply trying to figure out how to post in a forum! lol I have learned to plan these activities later in the day, when I have less energy and thus less inclination to spend too much time fussing about the mountain of options for posts.
The greatest benefit of online learning for me is the flexibility. I can dive into course work at 0400 if I am awake then (often); flexibility around my work schedule makes the difference!

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Benefits & Challenges on Online Education

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Benefits & Challenges on Online Education

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For me, the biggest benefit is also the biggest challenge ... I love the flexibility!

I would not be taking this course if I had to attend in person as I live too far away to commute for classes. Being online allows me the ability to take courses I might not have otherwise taken.

The flexibility of time is also the biggest challenge. Setting a schedule and keeping to is is key. Being at home has so many distractions and it is easy to say that you will get to it tomorrow. The plus of self-paced courses is that if you have a large chunk of time, you can complete a large chunk of work. I hate being dribble fed my work!
Shelley

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Benefits and Challenges of Online Learning

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Benefits and Challenges of Online Learning

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The greatest benefit of online teaching for me is that it allows me to meet the needs of learners in at my institution who live in remote communities away from our three main campuses (I teach at North Island College).

One of the greatest challenges is to keep the content engaging when offering it online, paritcularly when the content is asynchronous.
Dennis

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What are the challenges for you as an online student?

I find that reading large amounts of text (material) on the computer is draining on my body and eyes. I would prefer to read from a book where I can highlight the main points for review or to come back and review. Also, I miss the social aspect of meeting new people.

How are you going to deal with these challenges?

Finding the books in libraries, printing small articles so I can highlight and if not possible, I would break the reading into smaller chunks with breaks in between to get through it. To address the social aspect, writing in the forums helps to see what others are thinking about the subjects.

What is the greatest benefit to you as a learner?

The flexibility of doing the work when it is convenient for me to do it. I work full time, so having the freedom to complete the assignments when it is convenient for me is a great benefit.

Karleen

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What are the challenges for you as an online student?

I am currently 23 weeks pregnant and am trying to complete this program by my due date. I also work full time as a learning coordinator, so time management will be my biggest challenge.

How are you going to deal with these challenges?

I've been pretty good about submitting an assignment every week since I started this program. I think as long as I continue to work in this pattern, I should be able to meet my goal.

What is the greatest benefit to you as a learner?

Completing this program on this time line is only possible with a self-paced program like this.

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Benefits and Challenges of Online Learning

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Benefits and Challenges of Online Learning

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Having completed a few online courses both synchronous and asynchronous I enjoy the ability to log in from anywhere and at my own schedule.  The courses available are very rich in content and are available when they couldn't possibly be in a face-to-face setting.

Usually I have my time well mapped out so i have no difficulty in maintaining the coursework, however, this time circumstance has created some interesting challenges which have me struggling to keep up. Very good experience to keep me aware of the challenges facing my students.

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Benefits and challenges of learning online

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Benefits and challenges of learning online

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The greatest benefit is that I am able to take this program without taking time off work and without having to commute. Also, I can do the readings and work on the assignments when my schedule allows me to do so.
Another great advantage is the depth level that I can explore a certain subject at, with some topics more interesting than others. With the ones I am really interested in, i can go down the rabbit hole and keep on finding relevant information that helps me deepen my understanding.
The greatest disadvantage is the challenge to maintain focus when there is no face-to-face interaction with peers or instructors.

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Benefits and Challenges of Online I face as a student.

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Benefits and Challenges of Online I face as a student.

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What are the challenges for you as an online student?

My biggest challenge as an online student has been staying focused and motivated. I am also challenged with a busy summer schedule.

How are you going to deal with these challenges?

I deal with my focus by diving in. I find that it takes me a little while to get going, but once I get started, I can keep going. I also like to give myself a time limit, then a small reward after, like a walk or tea.

What is the greatest benefit to you as a learner?

The greatest benefit to me as a learner is the flexibility. I am able fit it around my schedule.

Thanks for Reading,
Sheryl

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To me, the greatest benefit is the flexibility to access the materials when it's best for me. A challenge is staying motivated to keep going.

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Below are a few elements that I have found with online.
Flexibly, individual dictated pace, accessibility, more time with material.
Isolation, technical difficulties & requirements, motivation.

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Motivation is one of the greatest challenges for me.  Learning from home has so many distractions, there are many projects and tasks that can divert my attention.  I really need to set aside time each day to conduct school work.  I need to create a  mini time table that breaks each module down to the day.  I find it easier to stay on track and less intimidating if I need to make something up.
The greatest benefit is the asynchronous aspect and the flexibility to make work at my own pace and time. I like being able to go back and re watch videos multiple times if required.

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Benefits and challenges of online learning -- whew, what a massive topic to start with.

As a student, my experience mirrors the texts. I'm a night owl, so I benefit from the flexibility -- sometimes I'll binge on material in the wee hours because that's when I have the energy. I find motivation difficult online, however; I've always found the structure of temporal deadlines & face-to-face meetings helpful. Without them, I'm... wait, what were we talking about again?

As an instructor, I enjoy the multimodal opportunities that stretch out before us. How could we not be energized by technologies that allow for voice-overs, video production, synchronous classes, asynchronous materials, F2F connection, blended delivery, remote courses, traditional papers, recorded responses, live marking... the options are widespread and impressive! On the flip side, there are so many alternatives that it's sometimes overwhelming to approach lesson planning and course design. If you need to me to walk into a room, suss out student needs and improvise an interactive grammar lesson on the fly, I'm your guy. Planning microlessons a year out are definitely not my forté.

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In consideration of the readings and what I already know when it comes to teaching and learning online I feel the mutual understanding is, it is complicated and has many moving parts.As a teacher, we have to learn all new language, new platforms, virtual reality is starting to show up in online earing. I never really wanted much to do with social media, but as an instructor social media is a very important part of your connection with your students. I have used a Facebook page for the class, twitter as a message board, however there are some institutions that feel there is no place for social media in the classroom.I believe schools should ban social media and/or phones from schools due to the bullying, self-esteem, and distractions students are having. Social media should be a privilege not a need (Older, 2018). Older (2018) brings up a good point, however I feel that if the social media platform that the class is using is set to private and monitored by the instructor, then it should function like any group classroom discussions.Currently I work with a marginalized Indigenous Community. The online learning part has had its challenges, most learners want face-to -face learning environments, however, due to covid we are forced to provide the online learning piece. Bell & Federman (2013) state that e-learning can be an effective means of delivering education, I agree with their statement, however I do experience some barriers.One very important barrier that exists here is the fact that these people suffer from Digital poverty this is a new term for me but is very fitting and described the situation here in Ulkatcho perfectly. To overcome this barrier, I have one on one teaching days for students that want to take any online course, I supply them with a computer and show them how to use it. If the student doesn’t have a internet connection, then they can come to the school where there is a dedicated room that is following all Covid guidelines.As a student the biggest challenge for me is creating relationships with fellow classmates as well as the instructor. I think that instructors are doing their best to try and create that missing piece, however I truly feel a sense of disengagement from my peers. Because of the potential for loneliness and disengagement when students are not co-located online instructors have given considerable thought and attention to the social and emotional. components in learning. (Norman, 2016). In my Med. program we have a discussion forum where I reach out to the classmates with personal motivation or check-ins outside of class to try and develop and nurture the relationship. I also try to zoom with my classmates as I like to see and get a feel for who they are.My greatest benefit as a learner is the ability to apply what I learn to my job and this community. I am here for social change and education is the most important piece to get these people up to speed with mainstream society. ReferencesBell, B. S., & Federman, J. E. (2013). E-learning in postsecondary education. The Future of Children, 23(1), 165-185. https://doi.org/10.1353/foc.2013.0007Norman, M. (2016). Teaching online can make us better teachers. eLearn, 2016(4). https://doi.org/10.1145/2915136.2908383Older, J. (2018, February 2). Middleborough educational television. Middleborough Educational Television – Watch MET on Comcast ch 20 | Verizon ch 33. https://middleboroughtv.com/should-social-media-be-banned-in-school/

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One of the greatest benefits for me with learning online in an asynchronous environment is being able to control when and how I engage with the lessons. There are some days when I just know that I won’t be able to absorb the learning and so I’ll find a time later when I can better focus. This is usually early morning while its still quiet, but after my first cup of coffee. I find the biggest challenge for me is replicating the same sense of community that can come from f2f.  While discussion forums and social media offer opportunity for student-student and teacher to student engagement, I find that in comparing my experiences in online learning to learning in a brick and mortar environment, F2F provides a more organic environment to foster questions, nurture discussion and incubate ideas.