Evolution Of Online Courses Over The Years

Online education is nothing new. In fact, the debate that existed for years is almost on the verge of extinction. Well, the long-ago debate was about face to face learning versus online learning. People today, look for the best online courses instead of physically attending classes to learn something new.

The main goal that should be contained in an online course is its engaging feature. The course should be engaging enough so that the learner can get the following:

1. Enjoys the process of learning
2. Can assimilate whatever is taught
3. Retain the knowledge
4. Apply the learning in practical life

The formal education is being revolutionized by the formal education. It is the online process of education that has opened by new genre and stressed upon cultural and scientific knowledge to reach out to the whole world. Nothing can be a better process of delivering education to every nook and corner of the world. The online courses provide the learner a series of lessons on a specific subject. These lessons are provided to a web browser or mobile device so that they can be accessed conveniently and at anytime from any part of the world.

How did it start?

The process of online education did not start all of a sudden. Before you are paying attention to the latest online courses news, take a look into the history of online education. Let’s check out how it all started!

• 1960 (The University of Illinois)

In the year 1960, the University of Illinois made an intranet for the benefit of its students. Through the system of intranet, several computer terminals were linked together so that the students could get access to their course materials as well as listen to recorded lecturers.

For the creation of intranet, PLATO or Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations was evolved. Interestingly, PLATO would be made to operate on several terminals all over the globe. In fact, it is the PLATO that has developed the concept of social networking.

• 1979 (Lemonade Stand)

It was the Lemonade Stand that stood as teh very first computer game released exclusively for Apple II. The main idea behind this was to create a successful lemonade stand. However, the impact it had upon the masses was unimaginable. With this, there was launched the idea of learning in virtual environments.

• 1984 (Electronic University Network)

Keeping in mind the mission of benefitting the colleges and the universities, the Electronic University Network was the first one to offer its online course in the year 1986 to be used with DOS and 64 computers of Commodore. However, this establishment took place before the World Wide Web was invented. The students were asked to make use of proprietary software so that they can make communications through the telephone lines.

• 1994 (CAL Campus)

In this year, the access to internet began spreading to several companies. A host of local internet providers began to transform the desktop computers to windows that could easily get access to the internet. A large group of people who could access to the internet was allowed to offer the very first online courses with real-time instruction and interaction using the internet.

• 2002 (Open Course Ware Project)

In 2002, MIT began offering course materials and lecturers through the project of Open Course Ware Project. Most of teh materials belonging to this project was provided free of cost. The main goal of this program was to offer all the materials for all teh courses operating in MIT. As a whole, MIT offered more than 2000 online courses for both the undergraduate and the post-graduate.

• 2009 (the tides have turned)

Coming to the end of the first decade of the new century, the effect that has been created by online learning is immense. It has been noted that almost 5.5 million students now attend at least one online course. Added to this, the conventional universities now have spread their wings in the online medium as well. They have started to launch some degree courses in their online portal.

Advantages of joining online courses

Indeed there have been a lot of online programs 2019 launched this year. Of course you can be a part of any of them you desire to. However, before you join any program, you ought to know the benefits that online courses 2019 can offer you. Let’s get started.

• Variety of programs and courses

Today, most colleges and universities offer a variety of options for students. This implies that students studying from nursery to neuroscience can look for their relevant courses online. In fact, now-a-days, students can earn academic degrees or an important career degree certificate from online courses.

• Lower total costs

It has been noticed that the online programs are much more affordable than the traditional ones. The total price for the tuition package is much less than the normal colleges.

• More comfortable learning environment

Online courses do not demand students to come and attend teh course lesson in any formal or uniforms. Instead, you can sit relaxed and enjoy the online course happily in your home environment. Also, you can listen to the lectures at ease without any disturbance. Further, if you miss out any point in the lecture, you can replay it when requires. Again, how can you forget about the fact that you can go through the lessons at any part of the day.

• Convenience and flexibility

Think of the flexibility and the convenience that you can get from the online courses. You can take up the lessons at any part of the day. The course material can be accessed online. Sometimes, the students are given the facility to get access to their libraries as well.

• More interaction and greater ability to concentrate

Whenever you face any problem, you can immediately seek favor from them. Their feedback panel is mainly for the students to ask and put forth their queries.

Conclusion

Therefore, it can be said that online courses have gained momentum with the upcoming years. It has not only brought advancement in the career, but also has improved the technical skills of the students as well.