The future of online education: Online Education in 10 years

With the rapid progression of technology and its integration into our everyday lives, the prospect of it being used as a tool to aid education and learning was inevitable. There are now countless electronic devices available, from mobile phones to tablets, making it possible to access information wherever you are. This not only creates a space for online education but also presents learning as an option to those who may not previously have considered further study.

 What is online learning?

Instead of being present in a classroom every day, online offers you the opportunity to learn and take your classes from home. Whilst it still requires you to take exams and complete assignments, it creates more flexibility and therefore is often more appealing over a traditional education. You are able to access learning material as long as you have an internet connection, meaning that you do not have to commit to travelling to a class at a set time. Online learning makes education available to everyone and is also carried out through various teaching techniques, thereby appealing to every type of learning style. It provides all students with the opportunity to thrive.

Acceptance of online learning among people

Whilst some remain hesitant about choosing online learning over a conventional education, one only has to look at universities and the way that they are already utilising technology to aid learning and efficiency. For example, reading material is often posted online and students are directed to relevant resources on the internet to broaden their understanding. Universities also use virtual softwares such as BlackBoard to allow students to access modular information and material. Most university libraries even offer e-books which are invaluable to students and can help to reduce their time and costs. However, the use of technology also reduces costs for universities, for example students are often required to submit assignments online through softwares such as Turnitin, which detects plagiarism. This eliminates the need for a teacher to have to sift through to check and compare people’s work, therefore saving money.

If online learning were to replace traditional education, it would have a significant impact on budgets of universities. For example, they would no longer be required to print hand-outs or pay lecturers for standing and teaching a class. Although they would need to support students online, it would still reduce their time and cost. Technology has changed the face of education and is already being used so effectively, demonstrating that it can be and is a successful way of learning.

Future of online learning by 2025

The evolution of technology inevitably means that it will continue to replace and improve aspects of traditional learning. Younger people are quickly becoming accustomed to using the internet to seek information which is inevitably impacting the way that they digest and absorb information. Therefore, it is important for education to develop and change in order to cater to this type of learner. There has already been a rise in online learning and it is quickly becoming a prominent way of gaining an education. In a society that is becoming reliant on technology, it only makes sense for online education to develop into the predominant way of learning.