Any new invention is always resisted and shrouded by a number of misconceptions and beliefs.
Similar is the case of e-learning. Despite living in a digital era and depending on the technology for each and everything in our day-to-day lives, we tend to be judgmental towards online learning. While most us believe that online learning is not as effective as the traditional classroom learning, we fail to notice the benefits of e-learning. Our list below will tell you about the 10 most common myths which surround the concept of e-learning and proven facts to bust these common misconceptions.
Myth 1 – E-learning is for the tech-savvy
All you need to know before enrolling for an online learning course is a sound computer knowledge and some basic technology skills. Skills such as connecting to the internet, navigating a browser or navigating through online files are sufficient for starting an e-learning course. And if you have a computer, there is always some time to upgrade your skills and be more computer literate.
Most of the online courses come along with links and tutorials to instruct students on how to access the course material and interact during an online class. Also, you can anytime reach out to your instructor and fellow students while facing difficulties in completing activities or assignments required for your course.
Myth 2 – There is no time limit to complete an e-learning course
Although previously some online courses were self-paced and allowed students to take as much time as they want to complete the course, this trend is not popularly followed these days. Today on an average an e-learning course should be completed in between 4 – 16 weeks after commencement. These courses follow a strict schedule and encourage students to follow the same for the successful completion of the course.
Myth 3 – The quality of online courses is lower than traditional courses
Most of the students feel that online courses are easier and hence do not meet the standards of a typical academic course. However, this is not true as neither is the course easier nor is it of a lower quality. Most of the e-learning courses and the faculty appointed go through a rigorous certification procedure to be in-line with the academic standards set by different organisations and universities. Professional e-learning courses are well designed and follow the best practices for both traditional and online learning with respect to its reading material, lectures and exam procedures.
Myth 4 – Online courses are not accredited
Accreditation of online courses is similar to the accreditation of traditional academic courses and might vary from course to course and school to school. A majority of professional online courses are accredited these days. As accreditation is important for both transferring credits to the traditional university and for getting recognized by prospective employers, students who wish to enroll in an e-learning course should review the school accreditation beforehand. You can check the list of accredited courses and schools online and ensure they meet all the desired standards.
Myth 5 – E-learning lacks human interaction
With video calling apps such as Skype and Google Hangouts, threaded discussions and in-built technology of online course management systems, it has become much easier for students to connect with peers, instructors and classmates. As e-learning accommodates students and instructors from around the world, it offers good opportunities to establish both local and global connections and develop a strong academic network and support group.
Myth 6 – E-learning does not have a physical instructor
Many students wonder if e-learning courses come along with physical instructors. In fact, e-learning courses are specially designed by professional instructors who guide students through live lectures, instructional videos and provide online coaching. They also take part in online discussions and manage courses by formatting and organising material to suit the online needs of different students. Most of the e-learning courses also offer a fixed time slot to have a one-to-one interaction with the instructor and receive supplementary guidance, feedback, coaching and mentoring.
Myth 7 – It is easy to cheat and copy in online courses
Although cheating might occur in online courses, experts suggest that cheating in an online course is similar to traditional courses. The e-learning faculty uses various methods to protect the integrity of their courses. While some instructors prefer open book tests, others might replace traditional exam structure with projects to examine the understanding of their students. With the use of plagiarism detection software instructors also verify the integrity of the projects submitted.
Myth 8 – It is hard to find a job with an online degree
To meet the growing needs of the students, most of the universities now offer similar courses both online and on-campus. A few of the universities do not even mention on the degree if the course was conducted online, thus giving it equal importance to the traditional degree. With the changing attitude of employers and their growing support towards employees, a majority of employers are now encouraging their employees to undertake e-learning courses to excel in their professional fields. Due to the rigorous format of online courses and its growing popularity, employers consider it as reliable as a traditional degree and consider both the graduates equally.
Myth 9 – Students can complete the e-learning course in one login session
Similar to traditional academic courses, online courses also need quality attendance of students. Logging in once a week or fortnight to complete the entire course is not encouraged by e-learning schools. Online instructors often provide grades based on regular class participation and encourage students to regularly participate in class discussions, live sessions and webinars. This helps students in understanding different concepts and grasping enough knowledge during the entire course duration.
Myth 10 – E-learning schedule can be procrastinated
E-learning course schedule cannot be delayed beyond the allotted time. Online courses need students to be more motivated and independent and thus encourage them to be self-starters. Even though online classes can be conducted at a flexible time, the allotted course deadlines must be met by every student. Causing unnecessary delays in submitting assignments and completing tests can affect the performance and grades of the students.
