Access to online learning resources has triggered a revolution in classroom settings from K-12 all the way up to postsecondary institutions. E-learning has become an invaluable resource to educators and classroom teachers, harnessing a new model of knowledge sharing wherein students possess the tools to learn at their own pace. This student-focused approach is unique in that students now share in their educational direction, maximizing both teaching resources and time.
1. Individual Pace
Online learning solutions provide much-needed effectiveness for teachers, allowing them to maximize the potential for individual learning curves and styles within the classroom. Many online learning solutions account for self-paced learning and allow students and teachers to work together to meet scheduled targets.
2. Application of Theory
Now more than ever, children, youth, and students are accessing information and news online, communicating, sharing, and exchanging ideas and concepts via technology. Online learning enables teachers to tap into this realm of constant learning by embracing the real-world application of theory through multimedia, video, chat, and interactivity. Educators can effectively harness the power of everyday technology to bring educational theories into the classroom.
3. Practicality
In modern times of global economic and political instability, federal and provincial/state education budgets are often placed on the chopping block. Online learning is an incredible way to compensate for reduced access to teaching information and time dedicated to tracking student progress. The practical benefits to teachers can be measured in terms of time-based efforts and workload reduction. For example, using an LMS allows teachers to quickly create tests and quizzes using a preexisting or ever-expanding question bank. LMS technology also permits the automation of marking those tests and quizzes. Practical benefits also include the ability to track the submission of digital assignments, and reuse or reconstruct a course curriculum using new course templates.
4. The Way of the Future
Online learning offers significant benefits for educators. It’s estimated that by 2019, at least 50% of all post-secondary courses will be delivered online, providing schedule flexibility and cost-effectiveness for educators, as well as access to new learning platforms and the opportunity to learn from celebrated educators located elsewhere in the world via long-distance education. In elementary school settings, blended approaches to online learning allow both teachers and students to access a wide variety of modern teaching/learning tools and resources.
5. Access to Training
Good teachers love to teach; but further, the best educators enjoy the opportunity to learn on a constant basis. Teaching with e-learning resources as a means of updating and honing one’s approach to teaching forces teachers to constantly up their game, in turn making professional development a daily activity.
The Focus of Educational Technology: Putting Students First
The biggest benefit of LMS platforms and e-learning opportunities is that teachers are able to focus their energies on pedagogical functionality. The ability of teachers to automate marking, digitally issue tests, and track student progress with reporting tools and analytics makes the education landscape a more accommodating and innovative industry that puts students first.
Online learning isn’t just capable of empowering students to progress beyond the course expectations, it also encourages them to explore and learn ahead of the curriculum in a way that makes learning functional, relevant to today’s growing inclusion of technology, and fun.