Over 25 years ago I wanted online courses, believed in the purity of education to advance knowledge, career and personal development. At last we have returned to this with the teaching and hybrid of online courses. For continuous, adult learners the web has provided an academic community 24/7 and teaches critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a virtual environment.
Digital learning is increasing while campus enrollments are decreasing. Individuals going online for education-related reasons are spending five hours or more online. Most are reporting using the internet from home and are more engaged users than in a classroom. Distance education is more prevalent in smaller and more remote communities and I believe is as strong as formal, traditional learning in a classroom.
I remember well the aggravation of undergraduate studies in a classroom where too many took up most the instructor time and more conversations were about anything other than the topic of study. Time wasters for those of us who worked, raised a family and wanted to participate in learning that was more like socializing. The one-on-one lessons that are often part of online education have taken teacher-student interaction to a new level, where the interaction and training is unique and valuable.
On-line for rural areas in many developing countries is used to reach citizens who do not have normal access to education. For urban areas where schools are unsafe again traditional education can be rejected in favour of home schooling. A friend of mine in taking her studies for most of her life as a home school decided to go to school for the social experience of high school. In less than one year she realized that although her marks were good, the teachers and students wonderful people she had little time left for herself after studies. She could cover the same material in less time and have one on one attention with an instructor when needed.
All education and especially in the classroom is in dire need of quality control. Examine the costs of education and value for your dollar. The work available must be part of this consideration. Accreditation needs to be considered as International Standards of Operation for the workplace. Education systems in all countries needs to give fair assessments of credentials and offer degrees and transfer of credits to those outside the jurisdiction of work. Community and workplace training are critical to a strong and vibrant workplace. The specialization both formal and informal workplace learning helps you develop knowledge and skills to contribute to a rapidly changing and challenging workplace.
ccsCARE has a variety of courses certificate and diploma, professional upgrading, career development and or exploring a topic of interest or starting a new career online hybrid platform that teaches the 3R’s reading, writing and rithmetic while developing self-respect, respect for others and responsibility and resourcefulness.
