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The challenges which face traditional colleges and universities nowadays include

high tuition fees and budget cuts. This is causing many students to search for

alternatives. Today, nearly three million students worldwide study fully online

degree programs and six million take at least one online course as part of their

degree program. The continually improving reputation of online learning has also

helped its growth, and evidence shows that online learning can be just as effective

as face-to-face education.
Below are ten advantages to online learning.
1: Variety of programs and courses: From traditional four-year universities to

completely online career colleges, higher education today offers a variety of

options for students. This means that no matter what students wish to study,

from nursing to neuroscience, they can find online the courses or degree

programs from a career certificate to a doctorate.
2: Lower total costs: Online programs can be a more affordable option than

traditional colleges. Online associated costs are almost always less expensive.

For example, there are no commuting costs, and sometimes there are no

required course materials such as textbooks because those are often available

for free online. In addition, many colleges and universities have begun to accept

credits earned via free massive open online courses (MOOCs), the most recent

advance in online education.

3: More comfortable learning environment: There are no physical class sessions.

Lectures and other materials are electronically sent to the student, who will then

read them and complete assignments. Students will not have to fight traffic, find

parking spaces, leave work early to go to class, or miss important family time.
4: Convenience and flexibility: Online courses give students the opportunity to

plan their study time around the rest of their day, instead of the other way

around. Students can study and work when they are at their peak energy,

whether that’s early morning or late at night. Course material is always

accessible online, so there’s no need to schedule special trips to a library either.
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Below are ten advantages to online learning. continued
5: More interaction and greater ability to concentrate: Online courses offer shy

or more reticent students the opportunity to participate in class discussions

or chats with more ease than face-to-face class sessions. Some students even

report that online courses are easier to concentrate in because they are not

distracted by other students and classroom activity.
6: Career advancement: Students can take online courses and even complete

entire degrees while working, while in-between jobs, or while taking time to

raise a family. This academic work will explain any discontinuity or gaps in a

resume as well. Also, earning a degree can show prospective employers that

you are ambitious and want to remain informed and prepared for any new

challenges.
7: Continue in your profession: Even if someone wants to complete a degree

program, it doesn’t mean that they want to leave their current job. For most

students today, college costs mean that it’s necessary to continue working while

in school. The previously mentioned flexibility of online degree programs enable

students to keep working while also pursuing academic credentials.
8: Avoid commuting: During bad weather or thunderstorms, colleges may cancel

classes; if they don’t, you run the risk of getting hurt in dangerous driving

conditions. Rather than miss important class sessions, students in online courses

can always “attend” by participating on discussion boards or in chat sessions,

turn in their work on time, and watch lectures or read materials. Many students

also find that the amount they save on fuel costs can be substantial if they don’t

have to commute to a physical campus, no matter what the weather conditions

may be.