Whether you are a student or a working professional, the thought of online learning must have surely crossed your mind. This is because the COVID-19 pandemic brought online learning to the forefront, and it became the only way people could continue their education. Even though it was the only option, the necessary infrastructure needed to be in place so that online learning could reach the masses. The availability of cheaper smartphones and internet packs also gave a boost to online learning, apart from modern video conferencing apps and other advanced learning tools.
There are various online learning platforms to consider online learning like course hero but before choosing this online platform people often question themselves is course hero platform legit, you should do proper research on these platforms before choosing them. There are many benefits of obtaining online certifications, the major one being the flexibility to learn from anywhere and at any time, which is more convenient than traditional classroom-based education. Further, it is more affordable than a university education, making it accessible to a wider range of people. Today, advancements in technology have made it possible to deliver high-quality online education and have greatly improved the online learning experience.
It is important to note that the online learning that you can experience today is quite advanced and surfaced only after undergoing a significant transformation over the years. This article makes you familiar with how online learning evolved over the years and what features are expected to be introduced in the future.
Online Learning: Then and Now
Here’s how online learning has evolved over the years to give you a rich learning experience that is as good as and even better than traditional physical classroom training.
Cloud-based Learning Management Systems
A Learning Management System or LMS is basically a platform offered by a training provider where a student creates their account and is able to access the study materials for the course they have enrolled in. While a few years ago, online learning was limited to pre-recorded videos; it has now expanded to live classroom training where virtual classes are conducted through video conferencing applications like Zoom, Google Meet, and Cisco WebEx. These applications and other LMS use cloud computing technology to conduct classes via the internet in real-time. Moreover, the study materials and recorded videos are also uploaded to the cloud, and the students can then access them anytime, anywhere on their LMS.
Personalized learning
So far, traditional classroom training has followed the one-size-fits-all approach. When you are learning with 30 or 40 other students, the teachers don’t take into account everyone’s grasping power and teach at a general pace. While some learners may be smart enough to understand the concepts at once, others may take time and have doubts. These are often left uncleared, and students are forced to take extra help to cope with the pace of the mentor.
Online learning, on the other hand, has evolved to address this issue. Many training providers either enroll only a few students per class or offer one-to-one personalized sessions for students and mentors so that individual doubts are discussed, and the student understands all the concepts clearly. Regular feedback is given regarding the performance of each learner, which makes learning more fun and personalized.
Inclusion of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
These days, the inclusion of emerging technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality has made online learning more engaging. VR offers students with immersive experiences that allow them to explore and interact with virtual environments and simulations in a way that simulates real-life scenarios. This is especially helpful for subjects like engineering, science, and mathematics. They also offer learners visual aids that help them better understand complex concepts, making it easier to grasp abstract ideas. AR and VR can also be used to provide accessibility for learners with disabilities and create more immersive and interactive learning experiences.
Performance tracking
Earlier, online learning used to be limited to one-way communication. Even if it became two-way later on with the introduction of video conferencing apps, the Learning Management Systems weren’t sophisticated enough to include performance tracking. Today, however, as companies are dealing with big data today, the performance of students can now be tracked, and recommendations can now be made to improve them. With interactive charts and other visuals, the learners can track how they performed in various tests, quizzes, and assignments and can then plan how it can be improved.
Mobile learning
Who would have thought that the education carried out in large physical classrooms could be replicated through small smartphone screens? Indeed, when the smartphone has become the go-to device for performing numerous day-to-day tasks, then why not education? It is too convenient for professionals to access the learning materials on their mobile phones and complete their courses on the go. As the video modules are now of shorter duration, people can complete them easily, even remotely. This is the reason mobile learning has gained so much traction. All the training providers are now focusing on creating advanced mobile applications that give interactive learning experiences on a mobile design.
Now that you know how interesting online education has become, why not explore some online training platforms and enroll in the course of your choice and gain new skills?
