For as long as people have been in school, there has been some form of remote education. From children learning to read via correspondence courses to high school students taking online classes, the concept of education occurring outside of the classroom isn’t anything new. Still, recent advances in technology and internet access have made it easier than ever to receive quality education from the comfort of your own home or office. As digital natives are growing up and entering the workforce, the popularity of remote education will only continue to grow in both K-12 and higher education settings in the coming years.
Educators choose online learning over on-campus teaching
Virtual schools are now more common than their physical counterparts, and a few universities are even completely online. Why? The benefits of a virtual school compared to an on-campus university include: flexible scheduling, lower cost, and tailored learning materials. Furthermore, with nearly 12 million students studying online as of 2017—that’s roughly 5% of all U.S. college students—it’s safe to say that distance learning has become not only more accessible but also more popular in recent years.
Students prefer online learning over on-campus studies
The convenience and flexibility of online learning has made it an increasingly popular option for today’s students. Combine that with traditional brick-and-mortar universities making huge investments in on-campus technology, and you have a recipe for more college graduates pursuing their degrees from home than ever before.
Online learning is growing rapidly
according to a recent report from Pew Research Center, about 2.4 million US students are enrolled in at least one online course. The main advantages of online learning—simultaneous access and flexible study hours—make it an excellent option for busy professionals with families, as well as people who live far away from their chosen program’s physical location.
The companies helping create this digital future
It’s not just educational institutions and companies that are jumping on board. In recent years, a number of innovative tech companies have emerged to support online learners at every stage of their career. Here are some of our favorites
