Online learning offers several advantages over traditional classroom learning. It gives you the flexibility to learn on your own time, watch videos over and over again if you need to, pause when something is unclear, and more.
The global e-learning industry has touched USD 281 Billion in 2022 and will grow at a 17.53% CAGR to reach USD 848 Billion by 2030, according to research by Custom Market Insights. The forecasts are heartening for students, too, because a large and growing industry means a plethora of choices for those opting for e-learning options.
Read on to learn some of the advantages of online learning for STEM courses.
1. Videos Can Be Watched Multiple Times
You can pause, fast forward, and rewind online videos as often as you want. This is great for learning at your own pace.
This is especially useful for students who are learning independently. They can take all the time they need to watch something again if they missed something or didn’t understand it the first time around.
In face-to-face lectures, not all students get the main concept the first time. However, STEM subjects need repeated views before one can understand concepts well.
This feature is useful in classroom settings as well. Teachers may want to show an animated video. Pause-and-play features allow teachers to control what’s happening on the screen while still taking questions from students.
Since all the STEM subjects are application-oriented, “Q & A” sessions are important, too. Repeated interruptions can make faculty lose the plot. Hence showcasing key concepts using videos ensures better recall.
2. Students Can Learn Remotely
When you enroll in an online STEM course, you can learn from home or anywhere there is an internet connection. Most people have experienced tech problems at one time or another, resulting in the loss of data stored in local systems.
With online learning platforms, you don’t have to worry about having access to your coursework. You can just log on and get started whenever you want.
To start learning online, we suggest you try a reliable resource like Proprep’s STEM Education programs. You must be assured of the utility of an online platform before you sign up.
For university students, such resources complement your existing curriculum and classroom lectures by providing you with relevant additional material to help you ace your STEM courses.
It’s also easier for teachers to deliver high-quality lessons with videos. This means that teachers can spend more time focusing on helping their students through individual tutoring or meetings.
3. Video Capsules Are Easier Than Textbooks
Large textbooks can often seem overwhelming. With online learning, STEM subjects can usually be broken down into videos detailing concepts with animated examples.
Questions and problems can also be explained well to students through videos, helping in better understanding and more engagement. As qualified professors curate the content and participate in these lectures, the students benefit from the collective knowledge of professors from different universities too.
Online courses are cost-effective and help students plan better by offering a package deal. Students pay a pre-quoted amount at the onset and don’t have to keep purchasing expensive textbooks multiple times during the semester.
4. Working Professionals Can Study, Too
Online learning also offers the flexibility of allowing working professionals to upskill and upgrade their skillset without needing to take a sabbatical from work to go back to school.
This means young mothers or caregivers who are staying at home for family reasons can continue their STEM courses without compromising on their other commitments.
It’s crucial because there is immense demand in the job sector for qualified STEM professionals. The demand for STEM professionals is projected to grow by 10% from 2021 to 2031, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics. In 2021 alone, there were 9.88 STEM professionals employed in the USA, and this number is slated to rise in the coming years.
5. Online Learning Is More Inclusive
Traditional classrooms are often set up in ways that don’t accommodate everyone’s needs. For example, hearing-impaired students may have trouble hearing lectures over noisy classmates, whereas online classrooms usually offer voice chat software with adjustable settings so everyone can participate easily.
There is still a significant gender disparity in STEM. Currently, only 22% of engineering graduates are women, despite multiple grants and efforts, reports National Science Foundation and Engineering Workforce Commission.
E-learning initiatives with female mentors guiding women in STEM can be great options for eliminating bias and discrimination. The goal here is to prevent drop-outs, as 59% of women who leave STEM courses do so in the first four semesters.
Online learning for STEM courses is an excellent way to enhance the learning experience for students. With so many benefits, it’s hard to argue against the trend of online education. The best way to leverage e-learning for STEM students would be to complement existing University courses with e-learning study material.
