Online learning offers a variety of educational opportunities:
Student-centered learning
The variety of online tools draw on individual learning styles and help students become
more versatile learners.
Collaborative learning
Online group work allows students to become more active participants in the learning
process. Contributing input requires that students comprehend what is being discussed, organize their thinking coherently, and express that thinking with carefully constructed language.
Easy access to global resources
Students can easily access online databases and subject experts in the online classroom.
Experiential learning through multimedia presentations
New technologies can be used to engage and motivate students. Technology can also be used to support students in their learning activities.
Accessible for non-traditional students
Online delivery of programs and courses makes participation possible for students who experience geographic and time barriers in gaining access to higher education.
Draws on student interest in online learning
Many students are interested in online learning. In a recent survey conducted by the Office of Academic Planning and Assessment at UMass Amherst, more than 50% of students surveyed said that they were “very interested” or “somewhat interested” in taking an online course.
Advantages of Teaching Online
Teaching online courses can:
Offer the opportunity to think about teaching in new ways
Online teaching can allow you to experiment with techniques only available in online environments, such as threaded discussions and webliographies.
Provide ideas and techniques to implement in traditional courses
Online email discussions, a frequently-used practice in online learning, can be incorporated into traditional courses to facilitate group work. Other techniques, such as web-based course calendars and sample papers posted on the Internet (with student permission) can easily be incorporated into a traditional course.
Expand the reach of the curriculum
Online teaching can expand existing curriculum to students on a regional, national, and international level.
Professional satisfaction
Teaching online can be an enormously rewarding experience for teachers. Teachers often cite the diversity of students in online courses as one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching online.
Instructor convenience
Teaching online can offer teachers conveniences not available in traditional classroom settings; for example, at-home office hours and flexible work schedules.
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