With the vast majority of states under a stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus, you may have started to hear a lot more about the benefits of online training.
Over the last decade, e-Learning has grown exponentially. It comes in many forms, but it's primarily used for college education, certification training and professional development.
Today, the advantages of online training are more important than ever. School closures and other disruptions to your daily life don't have to prevent you from growing and learning. Online learning makes it simple and convenient to keep building vital skills for your future.
The opportunities available for personal and professional development are nearly endless. Those interested in starting a career in construction or manufacturing can take online OSHA Outreach training, which is an increasingly common job requirement among employers.
The demand for skilled workers with HAZWOPER training is also on the rise. And in Florida, new legislation allows notaries to offer their services 100% online after they complete remote online notarization (RON) training and register with the state.
Online courses have numerous benefits over classroom-based learning, from improved safety to greater convenience and affordability.
Learn some key reasons why now is the perfect time to invest in your education.
Learn from the Safety of Your Home
In times of crisis, in-person learning may be unsafe or impossible. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools and classrooms nationwide have shut down indefinitely.
Online training, however, continues on. With no face-to-face instruction, online courses provide a safe and effective alternative to the classroom. You can even take courses to learn how to protect yourself, your family and others from coronavirus risks.
Other online certificate courses provide vital health and safety information, including:
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Respiratory Protection
- Introduction to Industrial Hygiene
- First Aid Basics
Online training during the pandemic also lets teens make progress toward one of their most highly anticipated milestones: getting their first driver's license.
While DMV offices may not be open to provide driver's ed courses or license tests, online driver's education is always available to meet these needs. Learning road rules and safe driving techniques online allows teens and first-time drivers to meet state requirements to earn their driver's license or learner's permit.
Greater Flexibility
Another benefit of online education is the ability to learn anytime you want. Because you don't have to schedule around specific class times or days, you can work on your course whenever you have free time.
A major downside of classroom learning is that there's typically a limited number of classes offered each semester or month. The days and times of classroom sessions won't always align with your schedule. In our fast-paced world, certain priorities can conflict with class schedules and limit your options.
With online courses, you can easily manage the demands of your family obligations, job, hobbies and other responsibilities. You can sign up for courses anytime and complete them according to your desired timeline.
Also, studying from the comfort of your own home — or anywhere else with internet access — allows you to relax and take advantage of the flexibility of online learning. There is no need to get dressed up or travel to and from the classroom.
Train at Your Own Pace
Online learning is a lot like having your own private tutor. There are no distractions from other classmates, and the pacing of lessons is based on your comfort level. Have you ever felt like a teacher was going too fast for you to take notes or fully comprehend the subject?
That's never a problem with online learning. You can spend as much time as you need on the course material and go back to review at any time. Since quizzes and tests are graded automatically, you receive immediate results and feedback. That gives you more time to focus on improving your skills and learning the material.
Setting your own schedule and learning at your own pace also helps you develop self-discipline. Unlike in-person learning, you're in full control of how little or how much you learn at a time. This is incredibly beneficial for building time-management skills for future career opportunities.
Save Time and Money
With no need for classrooms, live instructors or physical materials, online courses are typically more affordable than the in-person alternative. Waste is reduced, and the lower footprint helps drive down the cost of providing education. Those savings get passed on to students.
Since you don't have to travel to the classroom, you can also save on your daily commute. That includes time, effort and money for gas and tolls. Plus, less driving is beneficial to the environment.
Online for All Occasions
The world is constantly changing, and one of the best ways to keep up is to continually invest in your education. Online training provides an amazing opportunity to learn the way you want, according to your preferred pace and schedule.
While the coronavirus has put a hold on in-person education, you can still turn to online education to pursue new career opportunities or grow your current knowledge and skills. Browse our expansive course catalog to find other online training programs that can help you meet your personal and professional goals.
