Changes in Learning and Motivation With the Advent of Online Learning

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Changes in learning
Changes in motivation
Conclusion
References

Introduction

In the past two decades, learning has evolved tremendously due to the introduction of new technologies that have made education more accessible. In olden days, students relied only on courses offered in colleges, universities, and other institutions of learning in order to obtain their education. However, the situation has changed. Students can now obtain their degrees through online learning.

Universities and colleges have been forced to change their learning modes in order to accommodate students who prefer online learning (Ward, 2012). This mode of learning has attracted many people because it is affordable and convenient. Institutions of learning have introduced online learning through improvement of infrastructure, incorporation of new technologies in learning, recruitment of professionals who are conversant with new technologies, and revision of curriculums in order to accommodate new models of learning.

Online learning caters for students who cannot enroll for traditional learning due to busy schedules and lack of financing. E- Learning has changed education tremendously and increased students’ motivation with regard to earning degrees and pursuing careers.

Changes in learning

With the advent of online learning, learning activities and discussions took a new form. Unlike in traditional learning, online learning does not involve face-to-face interactions between instructors and students. Students develop schedules based on their availability to attend classes (Ward, 2012).

On the other hand, learners have freedom to work through course material only when they are available. Online learning gives students an opportunity to learn at their own pace thus ensuring that they grasp the content fully (Siemens, 2013). In addition, students do not sit for long hours listening to lectures.

E-learning requires high levels of discipline and responsibility on the part of the student because instructors are not present to give directions. Without discipline, many students waste their time and end up performing poorly in examinations. There are no face-to-face discussions, students decide when to attend classes, absence from class is not punished, and exchange of ideas and opinions is encouraged (Ward, 2012).

Online learning eliminated the need to commute to school every day to attend classes (Michels, 2013). Students go online and take classes at any time and from any part of the world. Focus shifted from discussions and teamwork to individual study (Siemens, 2013).

However, students can opt to join online group discussions that enable them to share information and knowledge with other students. Online discussion forums are not very common because many students prefer to be autonomous (Michels, 2013). Elimination of face-to-face interactions between students and instructors changed how learning is conducted.

However, focus is mainly on interactive lessons, discussion boards, games, and chats (Siemens, 2013). These platforms offer students an opportunity to interact with instructors. Students ask questions, get clarification on unclear matters, and submit their homework. Education materials are provided in different forms that include videos, audio files, e-mails, word documents, and PDF documents.

Students with families and jobs, and people who did not complete their education opt for online education. In the United States, some states have developed programs that enable students to complete their degrees through online learning. States like Oregon and Wisconsin have programs that allow students to turn their job skills into college credits and thus reduce the number of units required to attain their degrees (Michels, 2013).

In addition, the programs also enable students to complete their degrees by offering free online courses and examinations from certified colleges. The internet has many distractions that affect the learning experiences and outcomes of students (Michels, 2013). Therefore, students need to be highly disciplined and focused in order to benefit fully from online learning.

Changes in motivation

Factors that motivate students to register for online learning include busy schedules, family responsibilities, unavailability of resources, and convenience (Cull, 2010). People who wish to advance their careers while working usually enroll for online learning because they attend classes when they are free. In today’s world, more job opportunities are available to people who have pursued higher education such as master’s and postgraduate degrees (Cull, 2010).

The cost of higher learning has nearly doubled in the past two decades. High cost of education has played a grandiose role in denying many students an opportunity to get their education (Cull, 2010). Competing for job opportunities then becomes difficult because many employers prefer applicants who have pursued higher education. Education is one of the most important factors that facilitate the shift to middle class. Therefore, online learning helps students who cannot afford higher education to pursue their careers cheaply.

Many universities and colleges have been criticized for increasing the cost of education, offering low quality education, and being unwilling to embrace technology in order to offer opportunities to more students (Koller, 2012).

The declining quality of education has emanated from unavailability of sufficient instructors to handle the high number of students (Cull, 2010). The introduction of online learning enabled colleges to manage the sizes of their classes because many students opted for the new system. Traditional learning is very expensive compared to online learning.

Differences in cost emanate from the need to pay tuition fees, purchase learning materials, and remunerate instructors (Koller, 2012). However, costs such as purchase of online materials and tuition fees are non-existent in online learning. Students only pay registration fees, examination fees, and a small amount of money to cater for learning materials and the remuneration of instructors.

Another factor that motivates students to study online is the availability of information and the broad reach of online learning (McKnight, 2011). Universities and colleges are able to offer their services to people who are unable to attend classes at campuses. This has led to the elimination of boundaries for recruitment because the quality of education offered is of high quality.

The internet is awash with information that can be used by students for learning purposes (Koller, 2012). The ease of retrieving information and the diversity of learning materials render online education beneficial and convenient. Students do not have to spend money buying books or printing learning material. In addition, there are different types of teaching aids such as videos and audio files that make learning more enjoyable.

Students have different learning capabilities that are sufficiently addressed and accommodated in online learning (McKnight, 2011). Students create their own learning schedules and explore methods that ensure proper comprehension of learning material (Koller, 2012). In traditional learning, instructors do not tailor their teaching methods to accommodate the different learning needs of students. They use methods that they deem appropriate for all students.

This results in poor performance and low quality degrees. For example, some students understand better using visual aids (McKnight, 2011). The availability of different learning methods has made online learning very popular. Students are motivated to pursue their education because they decide how, where, and what they learn (Koller, 2012). The independence created by online learning is a great motivating factor.

Finally, e-learning facilitates sharing of knowledge and information by students around the world. Students can share learning materials such as videos, electronic books, journals, and PDF documents for learning purposes (McKnight, 2011).

On the other hand, they can use discussion boards and chats to discuss pertinent issues with professionals from different parts of the world. The internet contains many platforms that students can use to retrieve information. For example, Khan Academy is a platform that is used by students to obtain information on different topics that include history, mathematics, physics, and chemistry (Koller, 2012).

Conclusion

New technologies have contributed largely to changes in ways through which different people get their degrees from institutions of learning. Many students have access to education because technology facilitates learning in many ways. Online learning has changed how people obtain degrees in many ways.

It has motivated more people to pursue education by increasing independence, autonomy, and improving decision making. In addition, it has offered an opportunity to people who have families and jobs to pursue higher education. Many people prefer online education to traditional education because t is more convenient and cheaper.

There are innumerable online sources of information that students can access freely. For example, search engines like Google and Yahoo provide a platform that students can use to retrieve information from the internet. The availability of visual aids such as videos, graphs, and pictures make the learning experience enjoyable.

References

Cull, S. (2010). Student Motivation and Engagement in Online Courses. Web.

Koller, D. (Executive Producer). (2012). What we are Learning from Online Education(Video File). Web.

McKnight, K. (2011). Top 12 Ways Technology Changed Learning. Web.

Michels, S. (Executive Producer). (2013). How Free Online Courses are Changing Traditional Education(Video File). Web.

Siemens, G. (Executive Producer). (2013). Connecting Learners: Technology, Change and Higher Education (video file). Web.

Ward, D. (2012). Why Online Education has Gained Revolutionary Momentum. Web.

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