Online training takes places through a series of lessons posted on the Internet by the instructor and may include some face-to-face gatherings. To facilitate learning, there are a series of components used in the online class. Lectures are posted in segments with timelines provided in which the students need to read it by. Assignments and quizzes are given to test the students' knowledge of what they learned. Discussion boards are another feature of online classes. They allow the students to interact with each other and the instructor.
Taking classes online allows a student to choose the location that is most convenient to take a class. For some, it may be a matter of staying in the comfort of home. For another, she may be unable to physically get to a class because of a disability, time constraint, lack of transportation or the need to stay at home to care for a loved one.
Online classes are not restricted by geography. Someone in New Jersey can take a course offered by a college in California. Not only will the student get training that they might not otherwise have gotten, he'll interact with people he may not have crossed paths with.
Companies and small businesses can sending their employees to online training rather than in-person classes to save time and money. An employee can just sit at the computer and obtain the needed training.
Online training requires very little to get started. Any PC or Mac desktop or laptop will work. Reliable access to the Internet (high-speed preferred), along with an Internet browser such as Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox is also necessary. Check with the organization conducting the class for specific requirements. You'll also need textbooks, notebooks for notes, pens and word processing software on your computer to complete assignments.
Online training is a great option, but it's not for everyone. Each individual has a different learning styles that requires different teaching techniques. Online training is a very independent approach to obtaining an education. If an individual prefers instructor-led classes, online training may not be the best option. Here are a few questions to consider:
Do I have the ability to manage my time?
Can I stay focused without an instructor keeping me on track?
Can I meet deadlines on my own?
Are there a lot of distractions in the location where I will be taking my class?
Do I have strong computer skills?
Do I know how to save files to my computer and retrieve them?
Can I navigate the Internet?
Even if an online class is the right way to go, there are a few important things for a student to know. Online classes are not easier than a face-to-face class. Online classes require just as much time as an online class because students have to change the way they manage their class time. The student is now completely responsible for her involvement in the class. The instructor becomes more of a facilitator in the online environment. Students have to be motivated to read thoroughly, do the work and interact with their classmates on a regular basis.