As an international student, it is important to maintain a rich CV. One way to do this is through online courses. They offer you the opportunity to acquire more skills which increase your employability. However, you miss out on face-to-face interactions with classmates and lecturers. Since great importance is attached to formal education which is dynamic, the million-dollar question is, should international students take online courses?
The Merits of Online Courses
1. Flexible Learning
Online education allows individuals to study at their own pace and on their own schedule. Digital classrooms can be accessed anywhere, at any time. It does not require classroom attendance that can be disruptive to family and career obligations. The basic requirements in the virtual course room are clearly delineated and meeting deadlines can be scheduled into the student’s routine.
2. Individualized Learning
Online education prevents individual students from class intimidation which can be faced when interacting with lecturers and classmates. Shy students don’t have to worry about being intimidated by the boldness/brilliance of other students. This form of study enables international students to put in their best.
3. Affordability
Online education seems to be more affordable than the usual traditional form of education. The cost of processing a visa and travelling abroad for studies and living expenses are waived with online studies. Online study gives students the opportunity to experience advanced learning which could be a plus to your CV.
4. Convenience
Learning online is the most convenient form of education for the physically challenged and exceptional children. These students get the necessary support from their families while achieving their dreams of acquiring an international learning experience. This way they are able to reveal their uniqueness to employers and society.
The Demerits of Online Courses
1. Requires Personal Discipline
Online studies require personal discipline to achieve all-round success in your studies. Staying motivated and keeping up with assignments may prove more difficult for online students than for those who attend traditional classes. Students must be organized and manage their time well. They need to be flexible enough to manage their work, family, personal and study responsibilities effectively to enjoy mental stability.
2. Lacks face-to-face Teaching
Online students do not enjoy face-on-face interactions with their mates and professors. It is also more challenging to find people to study with when taking courses online. If questions arise, the student has to wait for a response from the instructor which could take days. Students in online classes are sometimes left to guess what to do for certain assignments when the directions are unclear.
3. Online courses do not include all Subjects
Most professional courses are not available for online study because they require a lot of practicals to study them successfully. For example, Studying medicine online may not be possible because of its nature. It is a course that demands constant appearance in class or the lab to learn all it takes to become a doctor.
4. More Work
Online students must work hard to strike a balance between their education, family and work. Online education is flexible, convenient but stressful no less. After the day’s work, trying to meet up with deadlines for assignments may not be so easy. Online courses mean that students have to do more to prove that they’ve mastered the material.
International students benefit from online courses because it gives them the opportunity to enjoy their study experience right where they are. However, as aforementioned, keeping up with assignments and other tasks can be challenging but not impossible. So weigh your options and decide if it’s a suitable study option for you.
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