The world is changing at a rapid rate.  

Every single day we are seeing new pieces of technology integrated into the workplace. With this has come the need to develop new skills, new processes, and a larger knowledge base, to be successful in any career. 

But finding the time to actually learn those new skills?   

Well, it can be challenging to say the least.  

However, over the last few years, we have seen the quality of online courses across the globe increase to a ridiculous level. No longer are they viewed as a subpar learning option, but as a great way to upskill in an efficient manner. 

In fact, I would argue that they actually have some key benefits that make them better than traditional learning environments. 

1. Greater Variety 

Long gone are the days where you have to do a four-year college degree to learn about business — most of which is outdated by the time you finish anyway. 

See, with online learning there are a plethora of courses available to you.  

As such, you have the freedom to explore your options and find the course that best suits your individual needs. This could be a course designed to improve digital marketing skills. It could be something related solely to the business. 

Heck, it could even be a course from Shopify Compass that teaches you how to build an online business from scratch. 

The point is, with online learning there is much more variety — which means finding the course that suits you perfectly. 

2. Better Career Advancement 

When it comes to online learning, you can find courses that suit your needs perfectly. This means that you can choose those courses that are related directly to your individual career. 

Or more specifically, what skills you need to learn to move onto the next stage of your career.  

With this in mind, you can actually pursue further education with the confidence that it will lead to career advancement — rather than with the hope that adding ‘college education’ to your resume will lead to a promotion. 

 3. Lower Costs 

As online courses are not undertaken in an actual building, their overheads are practically non-existent — and these savings are passed on to you. 

Seriously, with online learning, you can get a college quality education for a small percentage of the cost of a college degree. 

Moreover, e-courses generally provide you with all the educational content you need. This means you won’t have to purchase any unnecessary (and expensive) textbooks on top of the course fees. 

Talk about a win-win. 

4. Amazing Flexibility 

Online learning can be conducted anywhere in the world. This means that you can learn from home, while on holiday, or even from your current workplace (hey, who am I to judge…). 

In essence, they offer flexibility that cannot be replicated in old-school learning environments.  

Arguably the best part about being able to watch lectures when they suit you means you can also work while you study. As a result, you will be able to live a ‘normal life, rather than being forced into that budget college lifestyle. 

5. Better Interaction 

It may sound counterintuitive, but I would argue that online learning environments actually promote better student-tutor interaction. 

In more traditional learning environments, you are stuck in large classes. Then, to compound this even further, you have limited opportunities to talk to your tutors outside of normal class hours. 

The result? 

Minimal contact with your teachers. 

But online courses pride themselves on their ability to facilitate interaction. They provide online discussions and offer time to talk with lecturers one on one — all of which lead to much better interactions, and much better learning outcomes. 

6. Better Skill Development 

The final area where online learning offers a serious advantage is in the realm of practical skill development. 

See, most online courses have been designed with the real world in mind. As such, they focus on developing the practical skills you need to move forward in your career — whatever that may be. 

One bonus here is that each and every week you will learn something that you can implement in your daily working life. This is in stark contrast to traditional learning systems, where you don’t get to apply any of your knowledge until you finish your degree and enter the workforce. 

In my mind, this is why they are so beneficial — because they teach you skills you can use immediately.  

Key Takeaways

Over the last few years, online learning has become increasingly common — and for good reason too. 

The large variety of courses available let you choose something that aligns directly with your needs. Then, when you combine this with the greater interaction with tutors and the increased focus on skill development, and you have a recipe for success. 

Oh, and did I mention they are more flexible and more affordable? Well, they are. 

Seriously, online learning is the way of the future — so don’t get left behind.