Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Discover the benefits of learning online as a working adult.
Though online learning is not a new approach in higher education, amid the ongoing pandemic it has been introduced to a mainstream audience and continues to evolve to resemble a traditional classroom setting. According to the 2022 Online Education Trends Report by Best Colleges, remote learners are highly satisfied with their learning experience with 95% of respondents recommending online or remote learning to others.
Distance education offers a powerful advantage for working adult learners who are looking to go back to school. As you begin to explore degree or certificate programs and education delivery formats, consider these four benefits of online learning to discover why it is such a popular choice for adult learners.
Flexibility to fit learning into your busy life
One of the top advantages of online learning is flexibility. Online courses enable you to learn virtually anywhere on your schedule. This is especially important if you’re like most adults that juggle multiple commitments on top of your education. Plus, if you’re working full-time while pursuing your bachelor’s degree, distance education offers the ideal flexibility for learning during the evening without having to change your schedule or deal with the hassle of commuting to campus.
Increased opportunities to tailor your learning experience
Recognizing that adult learners like yourself need a variety of options to best fit their busy lives, online education allows you to have more control over your overall experience. The online degree programs at Rider University are delivered in asynchronous formats with varying start dates per year depending on your program of study.
- Asynchronous learning can be done at your convenience, you’ll access lectures, readings, assignments and other course activities on your schedule and complete the work independently within a timeframe determined by your instructor.
If you’re a student that is returning to school with existing college credits, accelerated options are also available. No matter the course delivery format you select, you’ll still have the same access to your professor, classmates and a variety of academic support resources as you would in the traditional learning environment.
Develop in-demand skills that can immediately boost your resume
Since adult learners are balancing a full-time work schedule with going to school, a major benefit of returning to school are the increased opportunities for professional development. By simply enrolling in an online course, you’ll get familiarized with relevant, distance learning tools and enhance your digital skills. You can immediately apply your new technical skills or ideas on the job almost immediately. Classroom collaborations and assignments also allow you to develop or improve soft skills such as leadership, communication and critical thinking that employers find extremely valuable.
Join a diverse community of like-minded individuals
The online learning space creates larger opportunities for networking and collaboration. You’ll have broader access to diverse classmates who share common academic interests but have varied experiences and perspectives that will expose you to knowledge and personal and professional networks that you may not have had access to otherwise.
Online learning also encourages frequent communication among students via discussion forums or other virtual channels while taking the pressure off of asking questions or speaking in a traditional classroom setting.
For adult learners, there are many benefits to online learning. If you’re interested in learning more about online programs at Rider University, visit our continuing education web page or contact a counselor for more information.
