Study at home - online vs traditional study
As web technology advances, online learning has become increasingly popular for adults looking to continue their education. Online learning can give you the flexibility to study at your own pace in your own time to suit your demanding schedule.
What is online learning?
Traditional on-campus study requires students and teacher to be in the same room at the same time. By taking online courses, you can study and learn at home in your own time. Materials are supplied to you instantly and are included in your course fees, so there’s no need to make a separate textbook purchase at a bookstore.
Many of Open Colleges' (formerly Cengage Education) online courses include interactive elements, such as a voiceover that will guide you through your lesson. Your online study materials include self-paced online learning, eReferences and online assessments.
Differences between online learning and traditional study
- Communication – one of the most notable differences between online courses and traditional study is the interaction between students and teachers. Instead of face-to-face interaction, you’ll be using the internet to communicate with other students and trainers via student forums or online messaging on the OpenSpace portal.
- Skills – in addition to developing the skills you need from your course, online education can help develop a number of other essential skills in the workplace. You will learn how to manage your own time, control your workflow and take the initiative to contact instructors and students when you have questions or need help. Not to mention you’ll become much more comfortable with using some of the latest web technology.
- Convenience – online study allows you to set your own pace and complete assessments in your own time. This means you don’t have to rush to get to your lecture or risk missing essential information if you can’t attend a class.
Open Colleges offers all of its online students the networks and support they need to complete their course. Assignments are submitted through the online portal OpenSpace for prompt evaluation and feedback from one of our qualified trainers. The qualification you receive is the same as any on-campus program, so deciding between traditional study and online learning is really a matter of personal preference.
Online courses vs correspondence courses
At Open Colleges, most of our online courses are also offered as correspondence courses with print materials. By electing to pursue your study via distance education and correspondence in print, you’ll receive all of your course material in the mail. You will also have the option to complete your assignments and submit them on the web or to mail them back to us for assessment.