Online learning provides access to education for people who have difficulty with traditional ground-based classes. Online students can work a regular job and complete coursework during their free time, so they do not have to give up their careers for their education.
Online education allows you to learn at your own pace, to a certain degree. Though classes still have deadlines and due dates, students can work within those deadlines on their own schedules rather than following a particular class routine or calendar.
Since working professionals can complete online schooling without leaving their jobs, online education provides the perfect opportunity to advance your career. You can take classes to earn a masters degree online or specialize in a particular area of your profession, earning a raise, in some cases, once you complete your coursework. In some cases, your company may even reimburse you for your education, since the things you learn will ultimately benefit the company as well.
Online learning is an increasing trend for high school students who have dropped out of school or are in danger of dropping out. Some students do not want to attend traditional classes because they have to work to support a family or because they have had too many disciplinary problems in school. For these students, online high school completion programs offer them the chance to finish high school without attending regular classes.
Other high school students may suffer from illnesses that keep them home-bound during their schooling. These students can take courses online to avoid losing out on their educational process while they are home ill.
Parents with young children also find online education beneficial, because they can take classes while their children are in school or asleep rather than spending time away from their children in traditional classes. Parents can complete coursework in the evenings and still take their children to the zoo on the weekends, so they get the best of both worlds.