It’s no secret online education is becoming more popular as the days go by, with the global eLearning industry expected to reach $1 trillion by 2027. Today, most students are transitioning to online learning platforms. But as usual, humans are in a conundrum with this new opportunity. As some continue to resist change and claim that online education is the future, others cherish attending class as the relic of the past. Well, the truth is somewhere in the middle. Online education offers incredible opportunities without the constraints of strict schedules and comminuting. But some people still crave in-person learning, physical contact and meeting new people. And that’s absolutely fine. We are all different. However, should you choose to pursue your education online, there are some truths we need to face!
The Rise of the Online Education Scam
Where humanity saw an incredible idea to revolutionize the education industry, some people smelled an opportunity to mint quick cash. Con artists created fake online universities, claiming to give students a degree in a significantly short time. And, of course, they charge a fee, an extremely costly one at that! These institutions are outright scams. So, how do you differentiate between a legit eLearning platform and a hoax? Or better yet, how can you tell an online course is legitimate? The best way to evaluate the quality of your online education is by checking specific vital features. With that in mind, here are crucial elements you should check before enrolling on a specific online course.
The Critical Elements That Set Apart the Best Online Courses from the Rest
Accreditation and Compliance
The best way to evaluate an online course or institution is to check for compliance. That means professional peers in education have reviewed the school and course. Top e-Learning platforms will take the extra step to ensure they receive accreditation to improve their trust.
Additionally, you can examine the qualifications of the instructor and other experts involved in the online course delivery. The top online institutions have instructors with readily available professional presence and history.
Ideally, the best instructors have various accomplishments, experience and publications. That should help determine the value these instructors add to the online course.
Interactive Learning Tools and Delivery Method
The best online courses have various interactive learning tools that ensure students get the most out of the lesson. The more delivery methods the course offers, the higher the chances of students obtaining a better grasp of the content. Different materials will cater to different students, such as audio files, pdfs, and video recordings. Typically, for a high level of engagement and retention, top online courses must offer different interactive elements for the learners. Assessing the accessibility of different learning methods helps determine whether or not the course offers an inclusive learning environment. More importantly, top online courses feature relevant content in their syllabus and curriculum. This content should align directly with the objectives of the learning process. Above all, the syllabus and curriculum should highlight further learning material and resources students will need throughout this specific course. That should help you analyze how critical this online course is to your growth and career development.
Reviews and Feedbacks
Social proof is slowly becoming one of the critical ways to determine the effectiveness of different online products and services. Online courses are no exception. The best online course will likely offer a review system where previous students can share their experiences with the course. Testimonials and reviews are excellent ways to assess the relevance and quality of specific online courses.
Student Support and Interactions
There’s nothing quite like having a support system that’s geared towards your academic success. The best online courses offer support services to students to help them manage and navigate their online journey. That said, reputable online courses will likely offer support and interaction services. That’s a channel where learners can easily communicate with each other and their instructor, bridging the gap between the teachers and students in real time. Support and interactive channels that should be accessible to students include peer tutoring, emails, online forums, and 24/7 customer service.
To Sum Up
These four key criteria will easily separate top courses from online scams or courses that might not add value to your career. Evaluating an online course ensures you get your money’s worth and can determine the skills you will acquire after you have completed the course. With this critical information at the back of your mind, you can easily make an informed decision about which online course to take.
