Global learning at your fingertips

Lesley Rogan

This post is written by Lesley Rogan, Manager and Teacher at Englishlink.com, a website that delivers high-quality online English as a Second Language (ESL) courses to students in over 200 countries. And it's completely free.

Starting 2011 with the goal of getting a new job or entering a new industry?

Gaining formal qualifications to give you an edge should never be overlooked. Qualifications show potential employers that you have the same frame of reference as others in the field, and understand the knowledge fundamentals required to do the job. Online education provides the most efficient & cost-effective way to gain industry relevant qualifications. However, can it compete with the traditional classroom training? My opinion: without a doubt. E-learning in the past was dry and text-based. Technology has long since caught up with the vision of online educators, by utilizing tools like video streaming and student collaboration. In addition, multiple learning styles can be accomodated through a variety of delivery methods. Sitting in a large lecture hall for an hour of ‘teacher talk’ is no longer the norm. This comes as no new news to today’s university students, since Professors often already use online learning applications to supplement their face-to-face lectures.

Advantages of E-Learning

The most obvious advantages of e-learning are its flexibility, convenience, and the freedom you have to move at your own pace. Then there are the less obvious benefits, which include not having to commute to school, never missing a time-tabled class because of work commitments or the weather, and the freedom to study at a time when you feel inspired to do so. In addition, online learning levels the field for "time-poor" learners who cannot afford time off work. It also offers access to courses that may not be available in your area, can give you the opportunity to study with an established international institution, and also provides access to top-level educators. Interested in studying Microeconomic Theory through Harvard? It is just a click away. Did you know iTunes offers 150,000 education media files from universities and other learning institutions? 100% free!  This is the future - and it's exciting.

Enhance Your Job Future Through E-Learning

The global learning community is now at your fingertips. E-learners have high retention rates, flexibility, and access to once impossible-to-find content and teachers - often at a much more affordable price. There is no doubt the traditional classroom has its advantages, but with the benefits it affords, ignoring online learning as an option to enhance your job future is a major oversight.