Matt Jones, founder and managing director of Oxbridge online college, discusses how individuals can optimize the learning environment at their homes and what providers can do.
According to StatistaThe global online e-learning market was valued in 2019 at $101 billion and is expected to reach $370 billion by 2026. A closer look: In 2020, 13 percent of British citizens used online courses.Despite lockdowns being a catalyst for remote learning, this was already a direction of travel for many people looking for better value, flexibility, experiences, and knowledge through distance learning.
Remote education creates a pathway to develop skills outside of the traditional classroom, offering individuals the opportunity to learn without limits – on their own terms around other aspects of their lives. There are key considerations that both learners and providers need to consider in order to make the most out of remote education.
Learning is rewarding
Online and edtech platforms offer more flexibility to suit your lifestyle and personal circumstances. However, it is important to maintain some structure. A timetable and plan to complete course content, meet deadlines, or prepare for exams is crucial for many people. It is also a key element of success. Tutors can also provide guidance on meeting deadlines and exam revision – a valuable dialogue between learners and educators.
Coupled with a tailored revision plan that emphasises the peak times for optimising your productivity – whether youre an individual who works better in the evening or first thing in the morning – having the right environment for home working is critical. Access to the right technology, a quiet space that is free of distractions, and the appropriate course materials or learning guides are essential.
Home learners can also use proven techniques like active recall. This technique aims to transfer knowledge from short-term to long-term memory by creating self-directed challenges. You can do this in your home learning space by creating quizzes or writing questions and leaving them on fridges or furniture for later testing. This strategy is particularly effective when paired with visual revision tools such as flashcards or mind maps, or flowcharts. Another important strategy is spaced repetition. This allows for revision at specific intervals, but leaves enough time between sessions for information to sink into your brain.
While distance learning providers are responsible for creating, supporting and encouraging a sense of community in virtual classrooms. However, classmates should take advantage of the social opportunities offered by meeting online or in person to discuss and test each other, revise and revise. Students can share in the challenges and celebrate their successes with each other, besides course content. We believe that the old saying “it’s yours for you to take” is true. We encourage all learners to engage with their educators and peers before, during, and after a course, especially when it’s online.
Fostering a community while focusing on access and affordability – providers responsibilities
Education providers should foster a sense of community and be visible and available to support students in their home learning.
Access to additional digital resources, in a variety of formats, that can help learners beyond the curriculum is critical to providing a richer and richer experience. In partnership with Hinterview, Oxbridge and Pertemps, Oxbridge created a Job Ready Pack to help our learners explore career options. More than 30,000 people have downloaded the pack to date. This helps prepare them for real world situations and makes them more attractive to employers.
As the online elearning market continues to grow, it attracts a diverse range people who want greater flexibility and more value for their money. Access to digital education has become a social necessity. However, digital poverty remains a problem. Only 51 percent of householdsAn estimated 6% of households earning between 6,000 and 10,000 per annum had access to the internet at the beginning of the pandemic. This is in contrast to 99% of households with incomes over 40,000. These inequalities can be overcome by the support of providers and allow more people to learn online in a home setting.
Financial aid is another option. Regional inequalities are the focal point of the Government’s plans to level up, to address and increase access to opportunities. Oxbridge offers a Levelling Up Fund – a 75 contribution towards the cost of any course for all new students to make education more accessible and affordable. It is often the first thing that matters, so it is important to keep the sector’s focus on lowering barriers for entry.
The classrooms of the future
Data from the Central Statistics OfficeThe study found that 76% percent of people who plan on returning to education after being employed would choose to learn remotely or in blended settings. In addition, the Government’s commitment to fund the Programme for 5billion Gigabit BroadbandOnline learning should be easier with the expected delivery of gigabit broadband to 85 percent of UK premises by 2025.
Additionally, a 2019 ReportThe Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport commissioned a study that found that digital skills are becoming almost universal requirements for employment. Roles that require digital savvy pay on average 29% more than those that don’t. Online learning can be used to help develop the digital and IT skills needed for 56% of middle-skilled positions and 68% of high-skilled roles.
Should the Governments make a proposal New minimum university requirementsMany potential learners may need alternative routes to traditional higher education. Online learning offers the opportunity to not only seize the opportunity, but also maximize the experience for those who are interested.
Matt Jones, founder and director of Oxbridge Online College.
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