Are online courses easier than regular classes?

Different learning styles

Some people learn best when they’re surrounded by other people. This is called social (interpersonal). You prefer to learn in groups or with other people. On the other hand, there are people who prefer to work alone and use self-study. This is called solitary (intrapersonal). So, taking online courses may for one student be an advantage, and for the other one a disadvantage. It’s important to know what kind of learning style suits you best.

Self-paced learning/self-discipline

Are you a morning person or an evening person? At what time do you peak? This is not a question you get ask during school. At school, you have to follow the time schedule the teacher has planned for you. You can easily fill in your own schedule with online courses. If you are a hard-working mother and decide to attend a course, besides your normal job, it may be difficult with your time management. By following online courses you can, to a great extent, decide at what time you want to study. On the other hand, you have the procrastinators. Taking online courses requires a lot of self-discipline. If learners have a lack of self-discipline, they won’t be motivated to finish their online course.

Learning whatever you want

This may also be with traditional classes, but in most cases that involves traveling from home or even living in another city. Picking your dream course may be easier by following an online course. This is a nice way to start your dream course without traveling to another city.

The solution

There are advantages and disadvantages of both traditional education and taking online courses. It depends on your learning style, and on the self-discipline learners have. A solution is blended learning. Blended learning has proven to have better results than students who were exclusively one or the other.

Read more about our online course builder or about the advantages and disadvantages of online courses.

Useful resources

• Distance Education

• University of Illinois