The six biggest misconceptions about learning online

There’s no denying that online courses are becoming more and more commonplace; professional studies even indicate that demand for online education is rising quickly. However, not everyone believes they are valuable.

We hope to eliminate the most common myths and misconceptions regarding online learning and improve some people’s perspectives. Let’s try distinguishing fact from fantasy.

1. You won’t get a proper qualification or accreditation

You might assume that most online courses are just somewhat more advanced versions of WikiHow articles that provide rudimentary guidance and explanations on extremely basic subjects. You can’t really obtain a legitimate qualification from home, is you?

 

Indeed, that is possible. Online education can offer a broad range of certifications, from more academic to practical/vocational at different levels. Therefore, there is a course for you whether you want to learn something more advanced or at the foundational level.

As an illustration, a few of our FutureLearn courses are CPD-certified, which entitles you to professional recognition after finishing the course. Joining one of our Microcredentials will also grant you a professional qualification and academic credit that can be applied to your degree.

If you upgrade or subscribe to Unlimited studying, you can even receive a digital Certificate of Achievement following completion of our standard short courses. These will look fantastic on your resume and wow potential employers.

2. You’ll always be studying alone

The idea that studying online will leave you alone is among the most persistent fallacies. People frequently see themselves spending hours on end curled up in bed in their pajamas, watching reality TV in the background while sipping a cold cup of tea. Nobody wants that.

Nonetheless, a lot of online courses provide chat rooms where students may converse about how the course is going, what they’re having trouble learning, and even exchange pointers and recommendations. FutureLearn accomplishes exactly that. We provide comment sections in all of our online courses so that students may interact with one another.

Certain universities might even let you visit the campus while you’re studying if you’re enrolled in an online program but are still connected to it. This way, you could meet people and take advantage of the campus amenities, like the library.

Read More:10 Best Sites for Online Earning for Students

3. It’s always very expensive

Sometimes, taking an online course can be very expensive. Although they’re generally still far cheaper than getting a regular degree (that’s £9,250 per year in the UK), many people who rely on online courses don’t want to pay upwards of one thousand pounds just to get an education.

However, luckily for you, this is definitely not always the case! At FutureLearn, you can get limited access to most of our short courses for free, and only need to pay a small fee if you want to commit – then you’ll be able to learn at your own pace, take part in tests and assessments, and receive a digital certificate.

You may then choose to pay a little monthly charge to stretch the cost or simply £199.99 for an entire year of access to obtain unrestricted access to 1000+ short courses. Our specific professional degrees, known as Micorecredentials, come at a somewhat higher cost, but they are well worth it.

4. You won’t get any support from expert educators

The idea that you have to handle everything yourself is among the deadliest misconceptions. Since teachers are typically the first people you would contact if you are lost and won’t be there in front of you, you would be excused for falling for this very popular fallacy.

You’re not alone, though, just because you’re not seated in an uncomfortable lecture hall. Even with online courses, tutor support is still available, so you can always find someone to help you through your course, whether you need help understanding a module or require an extension on the essay you knew you should have begun sooner.

Teachers are actively searching this course for a course where a team member is actively assisting students at that particular moment.

While you are enrolled in the course, if the facilitator is active, they will read your feedback, respond to students, like or pin comments, and make minor changes to the course materials. Read our post to learn more about course facilitation.

5. It’s easier and less rigorous than in-person learning

Not all online courses are simple, even though some are meant to serve as an introduction to a new topic. Our courses are just as challenging as in-person courses since they are all designed and created by international teaching specialists at prestigious institutions and organizations.

We do offer a few more enjoyable, lighthearted classes, such “How to Write Your First Song” and “Learn How to Bake Afternoon Tea.” We do, however, also offer a number of advanced and challenging courses that call for commitment and diligence.

With topics ranging from sustainable development and teaching approaches to computer programming and cyber security, our online courses will provide you a thorough education.

If anything, learning online can demand greater concentration than traditional classroom settings since you’ll need to be self-motivated enough to complete assignments without constant guidance from a teacher.

6. You won’t impress employers or land a new job

The credentials you receive from taking classes online are equivalent to those you would receive from attending classes in person. According to 81% of respondents in our Future of Learning Report 2022 who had changed occupations since the pandemic began, their decision was aided by an online course.

Additionally, we looked into whether employers would value online learning in 2021 and discovered that 75% of hiring managers said they depend on online courses and training tools to do their own jobs and that 44% of hiring managers thought online education was very important for the interview process.

The outcome is evident: employers won’t be put off by your online course certification; in fact, they’ll likely be impressed by your drive and dedication to complete the program in the first place.