When you were in school, you were in school. You had to walk to class, through the snow, uphill both ways for the privilege of getting an education. So, how could you possibly admire your kids for logging into their classes through a computer on the couch?

Parents, it’s time to enter the 21st century. Though distance education was rare and suspect in your time, online education offers many academic and career benefits to today’s students. Instead of berating your kids for opting for an online degree, you should support them through this academic journey. In fact, you might even consider pursuing online education yourself after you consider the following noted benefits of online school:

Equivalent Education

In the past, online education – and distance education in general – was a farce. More often than not, it was a way for students to order a certification without spending any time learning or else a way for greedy for-profit organizations to scam eager learners out of their hard-earned dollars. While some of these illegitimate institutions still exist today, the vast majority of online programs are legitimate, offered through well-established schools and boasting equivalent success rates to on-campus programs.

In fact, one study determined that online education is more effective at engaging and instructing students than in-person study. This is because online classes require participation and discussion in ways that traditional classes often do not. Thus, you can stop berating your child for not goingto class; logging into class might give them even better opportunities for success.

Lower Cost

With tuition rates climbing, most parents try to steer their kids toward more affordable in-state programs that offer advantageous financial aid options. However, by doing this, you could be inhibiting your child’s future career, preventing them from obtaining a degree from a top university. After all, the sources of a degree are often as important as the degree itself.

Enter: online education. By signing up for online programs, students can obtain enviable degrees from far-flung schools without incurring many of the typical high costs of such education. Though tuition rates of online and traditional programs are comparable, students save significantly in other ways. For example, your kids can continue living at home and avoid expenses like room, board and commute. Plus, online classes usually don’t come with classroom fees, which is another high cost of traditional education.

Greater Flexibility

This is the reason most non-traditional students opt for online programs over in-person education: They can engage with their classes and complete coursework around their schedules. That means students can maintain full-time employment, look after their family and uphold other time-consuming responsibilities while improving their employment and earning prospects through education. Most often, students looking for flexibility are interested in advanced degrees; indeed, the benefits of an online MBA significantly outweigh the benefits of traditional MBA programs for those with established careers. However, for kids who need to work to pay for school or need time for other extracurricular activities like sports, online options are advantageous.

More Variety and Control

A few years ago, the options for online study were severely limited. You might find a few MBA programs, some humanities options and a basic science course or two. Today, thanks to advancements in eLearning software as well as greater interest in online school, the variety in online degree programs is nearly endless. Even relatively hands-on degree programs, like engineering and architecture, are making their way into the digital space. This means that regardless of what your child is interested in studying, they will be able to find a worthwhile online education.

Furthermore, online education provides students with more control over their studies. Traditional education tends to have relatively fixed course schedules, with every credit-hour accounted for. Online, your children might have more opportunities to experiment, sampling new subjects through electives. That way, your kids can find exactly what they want to do with their careers sooner and with fewer mistakes.

Enhanced Comfort and Convenience

It might look like your child is being lazy, attending class from their bed or taking tests on the couch, but the comfort and convenience of online school should not be ignored. For many would-be students, campus classes are inaccessible; physical disabilities or other issues prevent them from reaching and thriving inside classrooms. Online education allows every student the opportunity to learn, which should not be ignored by supportive parents.

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August 8, 2018