Online education can seem relatively easy, which is why it has not been granted the needful significance. Many organisations have been viewing online courses and distance learning with scepticism due to the lack of physical examinations. Owing to this, the pros and cons of online education have been highly debated among academicians and industry professionals. However, all this changed instantaneously in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced students across the globe to continue their regular classes virtually. Therefore, it is only recently that online education has developed to such an intricate level that is now at par with physical face-to-face education. The advancement of technology has also undoubtedly been a benefactor of this.
To better understand the pros & cons of online education as it is today, read further for a detailed breakdown of both.
The pros of online education
One of the most important aspects brought up in the debate of the pros & cons of online education is the eradication of logistical barriers since there is no need for regular travel to the campuses or classrooms. Another vital part that entails the discussion about the pros and cons of online education is the lack of time constraints. Most online education courses are self-paced, making them extremely convenient for full-time professionals to pursue after working hours. Moreover, these online courses are more student-centric.
Since there are no costs of commuting to and from the campuses, the debate on the pros/cons of online education specifically stresses the increased affordability of online courses. Additionally, the fee structure of such online courses is lighter on the pocket.
Culturally, the discussion on the pros & cons of online education leans towards the secular approach and healthy intermingling of students from all across the world. The high synergies between the teachers and the students in closely-knit interactions allow for a more creative teaching method. And, this greatly benefits students.
The cons of online education
In self-paced online courses, there is limited social interaction with peers and classmates. The lack of physical campus life has often been brought up in the discussion of the pros & cons of online education. Technical difficulties have also been a prime driver against the debate of the pros & cons of online education due to the increased response time from teachers in some cases.
Online education at Sharda University
India’s Sharda University which is a truly global university has several online education programmes that do away with the preconceived notions of the age-old debate of the pros & cons of online education. The well-integrated online course modules at Sharda University enable students from developing countries like Nepal to pursue a universally accredited degree that can help them to advance their careers from the comfort of their homes. Moreover, the examination methods of Sharda University’s online courses are perfectly suited to gauge the competencies of Nepali students and offer accurate feedback to them for their professional development.
