The invention of the internet and the recent increase in accessible technology has changed many aspects of everyday life. With a smartphone in your pocket, you have everything you need in one place. You can link your credit or debit cards, use a built-in GPS, check the weather, and access to social media and the internet. You’re now always connected with a plethora of information at your fingertips. But one of the most notable areas that has seen significant changes as a result of the internet and technology is education. Until recently, education was only available in a classroom with a teacher standing in front of you. Higher education and advanced degrees were reserved for only the brightest or the richest. The internet and technology have changed this completely. Now anyone can get an education.
Accessibility
The internet and technology have made education more accessible. Students no longer need to be in the same room as their teacher in order to receive instruction. Technology has also allowed students all over the world to have access to the same resources and materials no matter their socio-economic background.
Many universities now offer 100% online degrees which means that students who live thousands of miles away can still study at the school.
Online learning sites such as Coursera and Udemy offer courses in almost any subject imaginable and student can access them right through their laptop or smartphone. These sites also offer certifications from companies like Google and IBM and degrees from leading universities.
In recent years there has been an influx of learning apps for smartphones. An example of this is Duolingo which helps users learn a language. The app offers over 30 languages, and users can study with the basic version of the application for free or pay a small monthly fee to unlock more features. With apps like this, education is available to users at almost any time.
Flexibility and Customisation
Online education allows students to set their own schedule and learn when it’s convenient for them rather than traditional classes which meet at a set time and place. Students can study at nights after work, on the weekends, or whenever it works for them. This helps to make education more available to parents and those who need to work to support themselves or their families.
Additionally, students can take a single course rather than being tied to an entire degree or earn a certification which is much shorter than a degree but can be just as beneficial when advancing their career.
Lower Cost
Since these classes don’t take place on a university campus, the cost associated with them is substantially lower. Students only pay for the course rather than room and board. The actual course fee is also often lower because the school doesn’t have to pay to use any physical space. Digital learning also requires less staff and personnel, so overall expenses are lower.
