In today’s culture, we’re inundated with ways we can assess our personalities, skills, and even pastimes. We’re targeted with pop-culture quizzes, how different colors mean different things about your personality, and how to figure out your Meyers-Briggs classification. We can pay big-name celebrities to teach us their skills through online programs. But who takes all of these online classes? You may be surprised at the diversity of people who use online courses to learn more about themselves, their careers, and their future.
Demographics for Online Training
In 2020, Business Wire indicated that professional development through eLearning could increase by $38.9 million by 2024. By transitioning to remote work models, companies had to determine new ways to engage employees and provide necessary training and growth opportunities. But online training isn’t only the domain of corporations. Personal development courses are also on an upswing. And the global mobile learning market is expected to reach over $80 billion by 2027.
How do these statistics speak to the demographic taking online development courses? With these numbers and this kind of investment, it’s easy to conclude that professionals from all walks of life are interested in and participating in eLearning. However, the academic community can shed more specific light on the subject. More women than men enroll in online degree programs. While most online students are in their mid to late 20s, platforms attract a large percentage of older non-traditional students.
Choosing the Best Course for Your Goals
Since everyone is doing it, why shouldn’t you? That’s the question you’ll need to answer for yourself before you enroll in online development courses. Here are several questions you should ask yourself when determining if online learning is right for you.
· Will this program help me with my career?
· Can I take any free demos or trials from the same company?
· What do I hope to get out of this course?
· How long will it take to complete the course?
· Does the course cover everything I want to learn?
· Are you self-motivated enough to complete the coursework?
· How easy to use is the learning platform?
· Can you complete the coursework on your own time, or do you have to participate in classes?
· Will the course fit with your schedule?
Getting the Most Out of Remote Learning
After signing up for an online course, you’re excited and motivated. You’re ready to dive in. But then, life happens. It’s not uncommon for people to abandon online learning when they can’t figure out how to fit it in with everything they have going on. But there are ways to stay on track. Here are some tips to get the most out of your online learning experience.
Put It On Your Schedule
If you see it on your calendar every day, blocked out like any meeting, you’re less likely to schedule things that interfere and more likely to complete the coursework.
Develop Your System
How do you learn best? Do you need a quiet place to watch the instructor’s videos? Do you learn best when you read over things ahead of each day’s program? Do you want a cup of tea when you start the course? Create rituals that put you in the right mindset for learning.
Follow Personal Rhythms
Are you a night owl? Don’t force yourself into an early morning schedule to accommodate your course. Wait until everyone’s in bed and use this quiet time to yourself. Embrace your body’s natural rhythms so learning doesn’t feel like a chore.