The Value of E-Learning

When I began university in the mid-80s, there was no such thing as the “World Wide Web,” let alone personal computers to facilitate learning. 

There were no Learning Management Systems that housed a rich collection of accessible, up-to-date learning materials. 

Instead, most professors wrote on the board using chalk while students took notes. You had to read the textbook and show up to class if you wanted to learn!

Teaching and learning have come a long way in the last 35 years, with the most influential change being the internet. 

How E-Learning Benefits Learners at All Levels

In 2008, the internet allowed me to contribute to developing university education that could be delivered online to hundreds of communities in the Circumpolar North, including remote locations in Siberia, Finland, Iceland, the Nordic countries, Greenland, Alaska, and Canada’s territories.

Since then, e-learning opportunities have expanded exponentially to include live and recorded courses that deliver content to kindergarteners, Ph.D. students, casual learners, and for training and upgrading within an industry. 

Learning opportunities are now more accessible than ever, with courses covering topics from art to zoology and everything in between! 

The value of e-learning is phenomenal in the truest sense of the word. 

If you’ve never taken an online course, I highly recommend it! Here’s why:

Three Ways E-Learning is Valuable

1. E-Learning Can Be Done at Your Own Pace

First, and I speak from experience, being a life-long learner can contribute to a greater sense of well-being. 

I just completed a series of online courses that allowed me to further my passion for education by learning about new approaches to engaging students and helping coaching clients push the boundaries of their success. 

Taking the course online gave me the freedom to choose the pace of the lessons and the times of day that worked best for me to study. 

By the time I finished, I was already using what I had learned, which I found highly valuable.

2. E-Learning Build Emotional Intelligence and Curiosity 

Second, learning something new can be exciting and help you to develop a sense of purpose, to discover new interests and reach new goals. 

Lifelong learning is also a skill that will help build self-regard and self-actualization, two critical aspects of EI that contribute to overall success.

3. E-Learning is Connective

Finally, pushing yourself to develop your skills or learn something new can help you stay connected, especially if a class is offered synchronously. 

I love the experience of bringing together learners from different cultures and countries to learn about different perspectives on a topic and learn about each other. 

What better way to hone your skills without leaving the comfort of your own home?

To start your e-learning journey, check out our online programs here!  

Hayley Hesseln, Ph.D., is the co-founder of EI Advantage and is responsible for developing all e-learning courses and training curricula.