Although the number of e-learning classrooms is still less than that found in traditional education, it is gaining in popularity and is quite wide spread. The online learning industry has been rising steadily every year. In spite of this trend, there are still some myths out there that tend to confuse the users of online learning. Therefore, all online tutors need to be aware of these myths and do their best to reveal the truth about e-learning.
#1 E-learning is not for all learners
Maybe you’ve heard that there are different e-learning styles. Some people may find that they predominantly use only one style of learning and rarely employ any of the other styles. Others may find that they use different styles in different circumstances. There is no right or wrong learning style. The only incorrect assumption is that e-learning is suitable for specific learners. Wrong! E-learning offers various methods to reach every student. Today, online training is more adaptable than ever. Moreover, tutors can adapt the educational content according to their audience and its preferences. E-learning can be personalized and delivered on demand. As a result, your learning style will be covered and you don’t have to worry about whether or not your learning style will fit in with the teaching process.
#2 You have to be a professional designer to create a visually appealing course
No, you don’t. Although any online training needs to have a visual identity, there are certain tips that everyone can follow. The branding of your online training is not rocket science. Still, it has some rules. Therefore, anyone can master the visual design of their course. There are many free or paid programs that offer simple templates and instructions. Focus on the content of your training course. Then you can think about the visual presentation. Whether you prepare storyboards, infographics, mind maps, or something else, there are different design tools that can help.
#3 Online training is of lower quality than traditional courses
This is a common misbelief coming from the idea that online training is an alternative to any offline course. By now you know that e-learning is a fast-paced industry. Moreover, it offers varied and personalized content and approaches that traditional education does not. Plus, online training may be even better than the traditional classroom. Online tutors communicate differently because they must , think about engagement and the effectiveness of their work. Online training programs have many audiences and must adapt to their specific needs. Additionally, online courses can provide far more information to the students than traditional education – including teaching techniques, challenging resources, etc.
#4 You don’t need an online teacher
Many people think that just having educational content online is enough to benefit from it. On the contrary – online instructors are the people that prepare useful content,, adapt it for the course’s audience, and use different teaching techniques to make it memorable for the students.
E-learning is more about the people behind it. If it would be enough to just read a textbook to learn new information, there wouldn’t be traditional schools either. After all, it is very hard to find the right way to teach material. The instructor’s traditional role has changed, expanded, and diversified. They are now more involved in the whole process than ever before – they facilitates the virtual classroom sessions, conduct the group discussions, create the content and the visual style of the course, and provide feedback. Online training also has an implied element of guidance, coaching, and mentoring, none of which you can find in just the content itself.
#5 You have to be a tech master to succeed in e-learning
Are you a technophobe? No problem. You can still benefit from online teaching. The technology exists to help the teaching and learning process. Therefore, it is a tool that delivers knowledge. First comes the teaching and learning. Technology comes second.
The content determines how effective and appealing an online training is. It is about what is being learned, while technology is about how to deliver the knowledge.
In e-learning, technology and content are blended together to deliver fascinating results for groups of all ages. Therefore, focusing on only one side would be a mistake. Effective e-learning is the result of a balance between teacher expertise and the technology used.
#6 E-learning is a teenage trend
No, e-learning is for everybody. Generally, the idea behind online trainings is to gather different people (ages, cultures, locations, etc.) into a virtual classroom and provide relevant knowledge for them. The myth that only Millennials need e-learning is based on the fact that young people are dependent on their phones and laptops.
Advances in digital technology have made it possible to create and deliver effective online training more easily and cost-effectively. So when launching your first online course, make sure you don’t keep any age group away from the benefits of e-learning.
#7 E-learning does not require effort
Well, not more than traditional offline learning does. To have an online degree doesn’t mean that you cheated or that you prepared for the exam alone without an online teacher. It means that you have devoted your time to learning and that you have put in a lot of effort. Therefore, the online degree is a result of your own attitude toward the e-learning process.
In a standard online training, there is the same amount of assignments, tasks, exams, and units to accomplish. More importantly, students should be good at time management when studying online, as they have no one to remind them about due dates.
