5 exciting online education trends

Student working on laptop

Online education’s popularity is on the rise and, with a recent shift to remote learning, it has become more important than ever. As we move towards a more digitally connected world, online education will grow even further, and there are several exciting trends emerging that will shape the future of education.

Online education can provide students with opportunities to collaborate with other students and instructors from around the world, helping to create a more diverse and inclusive learning environment. In this blog, we will explore five of these online education trends that are set to revolutionise online learning and make it more accessible, engaging, and effective than ever before.

Advantages of online education

Flexibility

One of the primary advantages of online education is its flexibility.

Unlike traditional classroom-based learning, online education allows students to study at their own pace and in their own time, giving them greater control over how, where and when they learn. This means that students can benefit from an online international community that is always there to help them when they need it.

Convenience

With online learning, students can access course materials and lectures from anywhere with an internet connection. This eliminates the need for students to travel to a physical location, saving them lots of time. This means that you can study from the comfort of your own home.

Cost-effectiveness

Online courses are often less expensive than traditional courses since they don’t require a physical building and classrooms that cost money to maintain. It’s also cheaper for you during your studies since you won’t have to pay for accommodation and living costs.

You also save money on travel costs, textbooks, and other course materials by accessing them online. This makes online education a more affordable option for many students, particularly those who are unable to attend traditional courses due to financial constraints.

5 Online education trends

Online degree programme

Growing in popularity over recent years, an online degree programme is a type of distance learning that allows you to earn a degree without attending traditional on-campus classes. These programmes use online technologies to deliver courses and allow you to complete coursework and interact with professors and classmates remotely.

They are flexible, convenient and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. Online degree programs offer a wide range of courses and are increasingly popular among students who wish to balance their academic pursuits with work or personal commitments. They offer an opportunity for students to earn a degree on their own schedule and pace, making higher education more accessible to a wider audience.

A good example of this can be found at Study Group Digital Learning, where we offer a range of online undergraduate and postgraduate pathway programs for international students.

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)

Massive Open Online Courses, commonly known as MOOCs, are online courses that are designed to be open to anyone interested in taking them, regardless of their location or educational background. MOOCs are typically free, and they are offered by universities, colleges, and other educational institutions from around the world.

MOOCs have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they provide a convenient and accessible way for people to learn new skills and advance their education without the need to attend a physical classroom. Due to their more open nature, they are different to online degree programmes: they do not offer undergraduate or postgraduate courses.

People take MOOCs for a variety of reasons, such as to gain new skills or knowledge for their careers, personal enrichment, or due to location or scheduling constraints. MOOCs also provide opportunities for lifelong learning and staying up to date with the latest developments in a particular field.

Microcredentials

Microcredentials are short-form courses that allow you to learn specific skills. They are earned online and can be completed in a matter of weeks or months.

Microcredentials allow learners to gain new skills quickly and are a valuable tool for people of all ages looking to enhance their careers. They are increasingly drawing the attention of younger students looking to distinguish themselves in the job market.

OER (Open Educational Resources)

Open Educational Resources are free materials, including textbooks, videos, and podcasts, that can be used for teaching, learning, and research. They provide access to high-quality educational resources to anyone, anywhere in the world and can also be adapted and shared with others. OER provides a more accessible alternative to traditional textbooks and course materials.

Blended Learning

Blended learning is a dynamic approach to education that combines the best of both worlds: traditional face-to-face classroom instruction and online learning.

With blended learning, students get the flexibility to learn at their own pace, from engaging with a variety of different content online while benefitting from in-person tutoring and discussions in a physical classroom.

This approach creates a personalised learning experience that helps students succeed and excel, whilst also allowing students to work remotely on certain days. Advances in technology have made blended learning easier than ever to implement, and it's no surprise that this approach to education is rapidly gaining popularity.

The future of online education

The future of online education has never been more exciting and full of possibilities. We can learn and gain new skills from the comfort of our own homes. Online education offers a flexible and accessible way for you to achieve your educational and career goals.

By studying with Study Group Digital Learning, students can progress to universities around the world without ever leaving their home. With the increasing availability of online courses and programmes, you can choose from a wide range of options that best suit your interests and career aspirations.

Online education also offers a more personalised learning experience, with many courses and programmes tailored to meet your individual needs, all on a flexible time scale that suits you. Whether you are looking to study your undergraduate degree in the UK, advance your career or start a new one with a Masters degree, or simply learning something new, online education can help you get there.

The future of online education is bright, and we are excited to be a part of it.

Why Study Group Digital Learning?

At Study Group Digital Learning, our online programmes are designed to offer you the freedom to pursue your academic goals from anywhere in the world. You have access to a variety of high-quality courses that can lead to admission into many top-ranking UK universities.

All our courses are delivered using insendi, our digital learning experience platform. This lets us create an engaging study environment that helps you get the most out of your online studies. You are supported all the way, from enrolment to progression to your chosen university. Benefit from having academic support at the click of a button, with your programme team always there to answer any questions you may have.

Our digital programmes are tailored to your needs, helping you develop the academic, language, and study skills necessary to succeed while accommodating any existing commitments you might have. Students receive a dynamic mix of both live and recorded classes, as well as one-to-one support and a wide range of activities that allow you to be part of a growing global community.

By studying with us, you'll gain the skills you need and the flexibility to progress to a range of UK universities, all while fitting your studies around your life. For more information on our programmes  how to get started, take a look at our programmes page.

With so many programme options available, the possibilities for your future are endless. What will your next step be?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are online education resources?

Online education resources are digital tools and materials designed to support teaching and learning in online classrooms, giving you access to a large variety of educational content from anywhere, at any time.

What is online virtual learning?

Online virtual learning is the use of technology to deliver online, remote learning, which can take many forms, including virtual classrooms, online courses, and interactive tutorials.

It provides the flexibility for you to learn from anywhere, at any time, and offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional on-campus learning.

Is online learning the future of education?

Online learning is seeing a shift towards more open and inclusive systems that allow anybody to study a range of courses from anywhere in the world. In-person learning remains a good way to learn and work with your classmates in a physical classroom or other location.