Online Learning Myths and Why They’re Not True!

When we envision an image of education, the only picture that comes to our heads is of a room with chalk, duster, pencils, and notebooks. That is how classrooms have looked in the past, and it is tough to imagine them in any other way. But post the COVID-19 pandemic, the face of education has changed to online education.

The increase in online learning has already brought various doubts to the heads. But the benefits of online learning are appealing. The convenience and flexibility it offers is the reason for its liking. But, Is this even effective?

We don’t want a degree that resides only on a piece of paper and holds no significant importance. We also demand the knowledge and qualifications that come along with these exclusive academic programs.

Here, we will be debunking some of the online learning myths and reaching a stage of understanding the importance of online education in the present world scenario.

MYTH 1: Be A Self-Learning Expert

Students believe that to learn appropriately online, they should master the art of self-learning. They won’t be sitting in front of the instructors while learning doesn’t indicate that they won’t be guiding their students in their learning process. Initially, online classes vary from traditional classes, and there seems to be a lack of interaction. But, online instructors are responsible for making these sessions interactive and engaging for their attendees, similar to the conventional ones.

There is no such thing as a self-learning expert because the guidance remains in both online and offline learning.

MYTH 2: Interaction Devoid Learning

Technology has changed the face of communication for people across the globe. It allows us to talk to someone from continents away with a few clicks. Technology has also opened doors for collaborations with people of similar interests and created better results. Thus, online learning can never be the source of devoid of interaction. 

It is one of the most common online learning myths among students that they won’t be able to interact with their peers and build a bond. Learning in conventional classes helped students make friends, interact, and learn about different ideologies and perspectives of individuals.

MYTH 3: You Will Never Get to Know Your Professors

Interacting with professors and having meet and greets with them occasionally in an offline setup is possible, but with online learning, it is a tedious task. The chance of learning them through their experiences and guidance becomes a less common thing to experience in online learning.

But, it is another one of the online learning myths that should be debunked for the students. One should understand that this educational medium gives a chance to connect with their professors through social media. You can even talk and schedule feasible online meets with your professors to talk about your concerns and listen to their words of wisdom which can help you out of your situations at the right time.

MYTH 4: Network Building is Impossible

One of the unsaid perks of conventional learning is the chance of friendship building it brings. It is tough at the start of online learning to interact and make friends and forget about building a network. But is it true?

The clear answer to this question is NO! It is because online platforms do lead to delayed interactions, but after the interaction begins, it provides scope for communication and sharing ideas through multimedia as well, and interconnection is also common in such cases. Thus, Network building is an enhanced outcome of online learning.

MYTH 5: Online Courses are Easier Than Traditional Courses

Students say that learning and completing online courses is easier. But the truth isn’t what’s always heard. If one is enrolling in an accredited course then this isn’t true. This myth tends to attract students because of its appealing simplicity, but the internal course structure speaks the opposite. This common online learning myth needs to be broken down for students so that they focus on their necessary course requirements and don’t miss out on anything because of their misconceptions. It is essential to receive the money’s worth when you are paying for something!

MYTH 6: Be a Tech-Wizard to Learn in Online Medium

With time technology is being simplified to ease the user experience actively. A few clicks can change a lot of things in a person’s life. Similarly, online learning platforms are actively improving to achieve a better student experience.

Thus, it is an obvious conclusion that this myth about online learning has prevailed only because of the complexity that the conversations bring, and not because of the real reasons behind it.

MYTH 7: Online Learning is All Listening Sessions

Another common myth is that Online learning is equivalent to lectures. One only gets to listen to the professor instead of exploring or interacting with their guide. The actual truth is that it brings chances for a hands-on experience for a major portion of their work. In online learning, students are assigned projects to understand the concepts by themselves instead of theoretical information.

MYTH 8: Employers Don’t Value the Online Degrees

At the start of online learning, employers did worry about hiring students with online degrees, but as time is passing by, patterns and advancements are changing as well. With the growth in the online learning sector, we can see the benefits of online learning and worry less about the consequences of receiving an online degree. As employers aren’t wary of these degrees anymore.

Conclusion

As the common online learning myths have been busted for you now, understand that what we hear often isn’t true. So, try it out for yourself and then find out if the common myths are the real truth or not.