The Internet is playing a bigger role in our lives. It’s like a toxic relationship you know you shouldn’t be in, but there’s no way for you to escape. We like to share our so-called “social experience” online, which includes a lot of constant tweeting, pinning, and checking our statuses on Facebook.
If you look to your left now, you might see a girl posing for her new Instagram story, looking drop-dead gorgeous.
On your right-hand side, you might take a glance at a guy Facetiming with his long-distance girlfriend (or boyfriend, who knows). Or maybe he is cheating on his long-distance girlfriend. Hmm… Or is that his mom? (!!)
Anyways, just years ago, no one was thinking of selling anything online. Now, even my grandpa (yeah, you heard me correctly, grandpa. Surprise, surprise!) is ordering his newspapers and having them delivered through a local (and I mean it, the newsstand is literally next door) online platform.
And do you know what the most relevant example is? You are scanning my post right now in whatever gadget you’re using.
In other words, we’re basically living our lives “on the cloud.”
Yet, while we’re doing all of those things “wired”, not many of us have ever considered studying online a go-to option.
Online Education as a Stereotype
Sadly, online education has always been referred to as a stereotype. People often mistakenly think that students who decide to enroll in an online institution are those who not smart enough for a traditional college or university. From time to time, you will catchphrases like “lazy” or “not a real degree” whenever online learning is mentioned.
These claims, intentional or not, discourage dreamers from taking the online courses they want and shatter many of the dreams which can someday come true.
So, before we begin with my ultimate online learning guide for beginners, allow me to reintroduce online learning and how awesome it actually can be.
What is Online Learning?
First thing first, let’s define online learning.
There is no single definition of online learning. No matter how it is referred to, online learning usually involves studying with the assistance of the Internet and a personal laptop or computer. Customarily, online learning falls under the broader category of distance education, which is defined by The United States Distance Learning Association as an
education program whereby students may complete all or part of an educational program in a geographical location apart from the institution hosting the program; the final award given is equivalent in standard and content to an award program completed on campus.
To simplify the term, in online education, students and teachers do not need to reside in the same locations. The use of a physical classroom is, therefore, not necessary. Instead, the teaching and learning process relies mainly on the Internet and a personal laptop or computer.
The Evolution of Distance Learning
Even though it is still not widely recognized, teachers and students have benefited from the flexibility of distance learning for decades.
As businesses, school districts, colleges, and universities have become “wired,” online learning has evolved beyond pure distance learning. The ability for learners to extend communication and access resources outside of their school or work environments, allows them to supplement – and sometimes fully replace – activities once reserved for the traditional classroom or workplace.
Frostburg State University
We first approached online education through the chocolate-chip cookies recipe our moms collected in the morning newspaper. Growing up, we got used to practicing our dance numbers along with the hot-as-hell personal trainer on television.
In the past couple of decades, with the increasingly widespread access to the Internet and computers, online learning has become a consistent presence at all levels of education.
What Benefits Can I Get From Online Learning?
A bunch.
From a personal point of view of a nerd, there are thousands of advantages when it comes to online learning. However, for the sake of the post’s length and your precious free time, I have decided to only mention five most noteworthy perks.
1. More Choices of Courses and Programs
No matter what you want to study, from the English alphabet to neuroscience, online platforms have it all. All you need to do is a little research. Online education might even give students access to specialized degree courses that may not be available in a local institution.
Students can also earn every academic degree online, from a career certificate to a doctorate. New learning models are always springing up in the market, providing us with varied opportunities to fashion our education into something that fits.
2. Convenience and Flexibility
We all have commitments, family, and career. There’s no need to add on to the bundle by a fixed learning schedule. With online education, you have the freedom to juggle your careers and school. Most people choose online learning as it gives them power over how they will delegate their time towards their different projects.
3. No Commuting Required
Now imagine this. A snowstorm, no, let’s say thunderstorm for more effects, is going on on full range where you live. Some colleges or universities may cancel classes to avoid putting students at risk of dangerous driving conditions.
Well, not a good example, huh?
How about a hot summer day instead? It’s burning outside and you don’t want to ruin your perfectly smooth skin or sitting in a cramped subway.
Yeah, that’s better.
Anyways, rather than miss important lessons, you can always “attend” by joining in discussion boards or chat sessions and watching lectures or reading materials.
Many students earn huge savings on gas with online classes as well. Assorted costs related to transport, such as fuel, parking, car maintenance, and public transportation costs, won’t have any effect on online students.
4. More Comfortable Learning Environment
If you’ve noticed, most online learning commercials usually feature students studying in their pajamas on a comfy sofa somewhere only they know. That could be you, too.
This is one of the things I love about online learning. You have total control over where you want to study, what you’re going to wear, what drinks or foods you would like to enjoy during class sessions.
5. Networking Opportunities
In most traditional classroom settings, it’s almost impossible to experience “international environment” unless you study abroad or enroll in an expensive institution.
The perk of online education is that it provides students with the chance to network with their peers across the nation or even different continents. At the same time, it makes them culturally sensitive and able to fit in easily given their exposure to other cultures.
How do These Online Courses Work?
This varies depending on online learning platforms. But, there’s generally a Learning Management System, or LMS. Online students need to log in to this virtual portal regularly to view their syllabus and grades; contact professors, classmates; and support services; access course materials; and monitor their learning progress.
Many online classes require students to engage in discussion forums to connect with other classmates. Discussion forums are often moderated by the instructor and are an integral part of your online course experience.
Is Online Education Really Effective?
Hell to the yeah!
Sorry, I’ve been obsessing over Glee recently. Can you believe that I actually played and replayed 5 episodes a day? Now these songs won’t leave my head.
Anyways, yes, online learning is just as effective, maybe more, as traditional learning style. As long as you put in your time and effort, things are going to be worth it.
Are Online Classes Easier Than Traditional Classes?
No freaking way!
I don’t want to be blunt but if you’re expecting an online class to be easier, you’re going to be sorely disappointed. Online classes are in no way easier than classes offered in the traditional classroom setting. In some cases, online education can even be more difficult for these reasons:
1. More Self-Motivation is Required in Online Courses.
Think about it, we are surrounded by temptation. How many times have you asked the Internet for help on certain matters but ended up reading the news and before you knew it, you spent 2 hours watching videos about Justin Bieber’s mom feeding a cat?
See my point? It can be hard for us to stay motivated when there’s always that something else we’d rather be doing. Without supervision and face-to-face contact, finding ways to self-motivate can be hard for students who are used to working in a traditional classroom setting.
2. The Course Load for Both Online and Offline Classes is the Same.
Never expect to do less work in an online class because you won’t. Online courses will require just as much effort as in offline classes, if not more due to the lack of face-to-face interaction. Additional requirements to spend time chatting online and participating in discussion boards can also add to the workload.
3. The Expectation is Even Higher in An Online Format.
Online platforms that offer online courses must maintain a standard of educational expectations and reputation if they are to thrive. For this reason, these online courses will often have their own way to evaluate your efforts in class. This ensures that students get the same high-quality education no matter what kind of classes they choose to study.
Are Online Courses for You?
Online courses may or may not be suitable for you. How do you find out?
I’ve done some thorough research and composed these six questions to help you decide whether online learning can fit into your educational needs. So, take some time to go through these queries before you move on to another part.
- Are you self-motivated and self-disciplined
? Can you work independently with little direction?- Can you manage your own studying time?
- Do you have access to a laptop or computer that is connected to the Internet?
- Are you okay without the face-to-face interaction with your instructor and classmates?
- Are you comfortable with sending emails, attachments, and participating in threaded discussions, chat rooms?.
If your answers are positive for most of these questions, congratulations! You are totally up for an awesome world of online learning.
On the other hand, if you answer “NO” for 70 percent of the queries, you might not be a good fit for online education.
Don’t be disheartened though. As they say, there’s plenty of fish in the sea. But it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try out online learning. Still, give it a shot.
How to Start Your Online Learning Journey?
Enough saying, I hope you’re now ready for the main cuisine: The ultimate online learning guide for beginners. This survival kit will guide you through steps you should take to be successful in this online learning world.
Ready? Set… Go!
1. Decide Why You Want to Study Online
Before you do anything, it’s super important to know why you are doing this. The same goes for online learning. Think about why it is that you want to take online courses instead of traditional classes.
- Is it because you want to master a new skill for your hobby?
- Or is it because of a course you need to complete for school?
- Will getting a certificate from certain courses help you to advance in your career?
Take some time to really ponder these questions as each of the reasons you give will require different considerations.
If you just want to learn a new skill for fun like playing the guitar, for example, a free course with a decent instructor will suffice. If it’s a degree or credit for your university, the options can be quite limited. The courses you might want to enroll
The sooner you recognize your motivation for online courses, the better. In stressful phrases, or whenever you feel like giving up, you will be able to remind yourself why you have started in the beginning.
2. Pick from Thousands of Quality Courses
Whether you’re serious about online learning or just want to experience new things, you must ensure that your time is invested in high-quality courses, which doesn’t necessarily mean the most expensive ones. You want a course that is effective, one that includes accurate information, or one you can relate to.
Before you start, it’s a good habit to look through the course description, the instructor information, and most essential of all, reviews from past students. These are the cores to help you build up a desirable course list.
Below are some of the best online learning sites to get you started.
UDEMY – LEARN ANYTHING, ON YOUR SCHEDULE
I’m a big fan of Udemy. I’ve been studying with them for almost 3 years and haven’t run into too much trouble.
Background Information
As a child in a Turkish village, Udemy founder, Eren Bali, saw first-hand what’s possible when learning is within reach. He found his opportunities online and was inspired to help others do the same.
Talent is universal, but opportunities are not. With access to online learning resources and instruction, anyone, anywhere, can gain skills and transform their lives in meaningful ways. By connecting students all over the world to the best instructors, Udemy is helping individuals reach their goals and pursue their dreams.
Udemy believes the world’s best teachers aren’t always found in classrooms. Udemy instructors are passionate about sharing their knowledge and helping students. They’re experts who stay active in their fields in order to deliver the most up-to-date content.
Key Features
a. A Variety of Fresh Topics
Udemy currently offers the widest selection of more than 80,000 online courses with 12 major categories ranging from software development to music and up to 15 subcategories under each main category.
b. No Prequalification Necessary
You can take any course and as many courses as you deem fit.
c. Viewable on Mobile Devices
All Udemy courses can be viewed on desktop and portable computers, as well as tablets and smartphones.
d. Free and Low-Cost Tuition
An estimated 10% of Udemy courses are free while the remainders are generally priced under $200. The company aggressively seeks to build its customer base with widely distributed discount coupons and promotional periods courses which can be 80% or more off the listed price.
e. 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee Policy
If you determine not to pursue a course for any reason during the first 30 days after enrollment, you will be refunded 100% of the tuition fees.
f. Immediate and Lifetime Access
Upon enrollment, you will have instant access to the courses and all course materials including PDF files, financial templates, guidelines, and checklists. After you purchase a course, you can access it forever without any additional cost, even when its price might have increased. This ensures that students have every opportunity to master the material regardless of their personal schedules or interruptions.
g. Self-Paced
Course videos range from 5 minutes to 15 minutes. Students can stop and replay all or part of the videos as many times as they want.
Udemy is a life-saver. I don’t have the time or money for a college education. My goal is to become a freelance web developer, and thanks to Udemy, I’m really close.
Borivoje
h. Access to Prior Reviews and Ratings
Potential purchasers of any course can easily read past student reviews and ratings for a hopefully unbiased opinion of its value.
i. Certificate of Completion
Most Udemy courses, even the free ones, award certificates upon completion.
j. Expert Instructors
Udemy instructors are generally business people with actual experience in the subjects they teach, rather than academics. They have “been there done that,” so are able to impart lessons from their time in the field. Many course creators use their videos to promote products like books or consulting services. In many cases, enrollment in a course may entitle students to special promotions and price discounts.
My children and I LOVE Udemy! The courses are fantastic and the instructors are so fun and knowledgeable. I only wish we found it sooner.
Kathy
Cons
a. Lack of Academic Credit
Udemy courses are generally not intended for academic credit, but the transfer of practical knowledge from instructor to student. Therefore, its certification is not widely recognized and accepted by employers or institutions.
b. Instability of Course Values
Some are at top-notch quality with stunning design and presentations while others are way too plain and simple.
c. Questionable Expertise and Experience of Some Course Instructors
Udemy is a free platform where anyone can just sign up and teach. Most of the time, instructors are experts in their fields and love to guide other people in the right direction. However, there are also so-called instructors who just want to earn a quick buck selling their videos or ebooks.
FUTURELEARN – LEARN NEW SKILLS, PURSUE YOUR INTERESTS, ADVANCE YOUR CAREER
Background Information
FutureLearn is a UK-based online education provider that offers online courses, popularly known as MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) from top universities and cultural institutions from around the world.
It was launched in 2013 by The Open University, which is famous for distance learning and online education. FutureLearn is the fifth most popular MOOC provider in the world with more than 7 million learners and around 725 active online courses.
Key Features
a. A Variety of Fresh Topics
FutureLearn has courses in a diverse range of subjects and is always adding more. There are three types of programs for you to pick:
- Short Courses. Learn new skills with a flexible online course
- In-Depth Programs. Earn professional or academic accreditation
- Online Degrees. Pay-as-you-learn and build to a degree
b. Quality Programs
FutureLearn partners with many of the best UK and international universities, as well as institutions with a huge archive of cultural and educational material, such as the British Council, the British Library, the British Museum, and the National Film and Television School.
c. No Prequalification Necessary
As long as you are older than 13, you can take any course and as many courses as you deem fit.
d. Viewable on Mobile Devices
Courses are accessible on mobile phones, tablets, and desktops, so you can easily fit learning around your life.
e. Clear Format
FutureLearn courses are divided into weeks. These contain various activities that you should aim to complete within the week, each one built from a sequence of straightforward steps, to help you learn. Each week is given a descriptive name, so you always know what’s expected, and you can even navigate between them, to see what’s coming up, or catch up from the beginning if you’re late starting.
f. Free and Upgrade
It is free to join and study the majority of FutureLearn courses. However, if you want, you can choose to upgrade to get additional benefits, like the ability to qualify for a certificate and access to course tests (if applicable). You can find out more about upgrading in their FAQs page.
Cons
a. Limited Free Courses
Even though FutureLearn offers 2 options for courses: free and upgrade, free courses are only available for a couple of weeks and most features are inaccessible. As a result, you will have to upgrade your course eventually.
b. Variable Start Date
Different start dates apply in different courses. You might see a course beginning on 7 January 2019 and another one on 6 May 2019. There’s an end date as well. So, if you miss a course, you need to wait sometime before it reopens.
c. Public Reviews Unavailable
Although FutureLearn does have a “Students Comments” section, you cannot view it unless you have already purchased the course.
SIMILAR ONLINE LEARNING SITES
If the idea of Udemy and FutureLearn appeals to you, you can take a look at one of these sites as well.
Coursera – Online Courses and Credentials from Top Educators
Coursera provides universal access to the world’s best education, partnering with top universities and organizations to offer courses online. Every course on Coursera includes recorded video lectures, auto-graded and peer-reviewed assignments, and community discussion forums. When you complete a course, you’ll receive a sharable electronic Course Certificate.
Magoosh – Online Test Prep for College and Graduate School Admissions
Magoosh provides a stress-free studying environment with 200 million practice questions answered and 6 million hours of video lessons watched worldwide. GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, SAT, ACT, Praxis, LSAT, MCAT, and IELTS are exams you can ready yourself for with Magoosh.
edX – Accelerate Your Future. Learn Anytime, Anywhere
Founded by Harvard University and MIT in 2012, edX is an online learning destination and MOOC provider, offering high-quality courses from the world’s best universities and institutions to learners everywhere. Whether you are interested in computer science, languages, engineering, psychology, writing, electronics, biology, or marketing, they have the course for you.
ed2go – Learn New Skills Online and Change Your Life for the Better
ed2go is the industry leader in affordable online learning for adults which provides the highest-quality online continuing education courses that are easy to use through a network of over 2,100 top colleges and universities. Each course comes equipped with a patient and caring instructor, lively discussions with fellow students, and plenty of practical information that you can put to immediate use.
* WHAT IF I DON’T LIKE RECORDED LESSONS?
If you’re not that into recorded lessons and prefer a live interaction with your teacher instead, Edureka and Tutorful are 2 sites you should consider.
Tutorful – The Trusted Way to Find A Tutor
Tutorful allows you to connect directly with talented and trusted tutors, which in turn removes the hassle of dealing in cash, whilst providing outstanding customer service. They constantly strive to ensure that everyone can have access to a first-class tutor.
Edureka – Global Online Learning Ecosystem for Continuing Education
Edureka offers live instructor-led classes from expert educators. What differentiates Edurekafrom competitors is their 24×7 support and flexible schedule. You will also have a Learning Manager to share your learning objectives and get oriented with our web and mobile platform. You can also talk to your personal learning manager when in doubt.
You can also check out MasterClass. This is a site for you if you’d like to be taught by star instructors like Gordon Ramsay, Usher, or Selena Williams.
3. Have the Right Tools Set-Up
The best way to set yourself up for success is to make sure you have all the resources at hand. Specific courses may have specific requirements but for most online classes, it all comes down for the following tools to help you excel.
A Personal Laptop or Computer
This is the most essential equipment of all. You will need regular access to a computer to view course materials and complete tasks. While much can be done with tablets, smartphones, and other mobile devices, they are not guaranteed to work in all courses.
Internet Connection
High-speed broadband access is highly recommended for an optimal learning experience.
Speaker and Headphones
These are to help you absorb and participate better in in-class sessions. Other sound and speech devices will work, too.
4. Set Goals and Stay Accountable
Without a goal in mind, it’s easy to lose track of what you are doing and what you want to achieve. Start by considering the big picture of what you can accomplish after the course, then break it down into smaller achievable objectives following the SMART goal-setting system. This is very useful especially when you’re in an independent learning environment.
Let’s say you want to learn Spanish. Here’s how your SMART goal-setting system would probably look like:
S – SPECIFIC
Instead of saying you “want to learn Spanish,” be specific that you want to “be able to communicate in Spanish” or “write a 200-letter article in Spanish.”
M – MEASURABLE
Set a trackable goal like “I will learn 10 new words today” or “I’ll finish Lesson 2 Video this morning.” Fortunately, with online learning, this will often be tracked by the online learning platform itself.
A – ATTAINABLE
Don’t be too dreamy. Be aware of your other commitments, your personality traits, your past successes and difficulties with learning. Then, set goals that
R – REALISTIC
If you’ve never learned Spanish before but still choose an advanced-level course in Spanish, of course, you’re gonna fail. There’s no other way around. Stop being a prick and be honest with yourself about your level instead.
T – TIME-LIMITED
Set your own deadlines. It’s so much easier to procrastinate, especially when you have all the “help” you need in just one click. While deadlines may increase the pressure, they will definitely keep you on track.
5. Study Smarter, Not Harder
I have made this mistake twice in my life now. I’m a certified procrastinator so it’s quite normal for me to skip doing things until I really need to finish them. If you’re not sure if you’re a procrastinator or not, check out this awesome Ted Talk from Tim Urban.
It was one day before the exam. I was so cocky about my ability so I didn’t even the notes I wrote in class. Until the panic presented itself. I remembered speeding through the coursebook with hazy eyes and twelve tabs open at the same time on my laptop. Lucky for me, I still passed the test.
But just one day later, I couldn’t remember anything I tried to cram into my head the day before. And with that came days of headache and sleepiness. You wouldn’t want to be in my shoes, would you?
Have a plan then. Find out about study techniques that can boost your long-term learning and keep you engaged.
6. Reward Yourself at the End of the Road
Have you ever wondered why games can be so good at keeping us captivated, but not studying?
I’m a huge fan of the Candy Crush Saga series. Someday, I’m willing to spend hours matching candies but can’t seem to motivate myself enough to write an article. Part of the reason is that Candy Crush is divided into thousands of levels (or goals); some are easy, some are harder than the rest. With the difficult levels, there are usually hints of how to get through faster.
If I’m able to finish that particularly hard level, I’ll get a reward. Intangible as it may be, my silly brain reacts to that. As a consequence, I’ve been stuck with Candy Crush Saga with almost 4 years now and the heat still seems to burn.
This gamification technique can apply to learning, too. Once you manage to finish a course or see some self-improvements, award yourself. Rewards can be as simple as a night out with your friends or as elaborate as taking a vacation on the beach.
Final Words
Online learning is an amazing opportunity for you to reach out to the unlimited knowledge of the human race, but it can also mean a lot of work.
Online resources are infinite. Any subject you could imagine, you name it, they have it. However, without self-discipline, drive, and a survival kit, it can be difficult to truly enjoy the benefits online education brings to the table.
If you want to see fast results from online learning, you need to be smart about the process you’re going to apply. Hopefully, this online learning guide for beginners has been of some help for you along the way.
Happy learning!