Nowadays, more and more people are opting for free online courses, because they see in them a learning opportunity at no cost and also with the advantage of do it from home or from anywhere as long as you have a good Internet connection.
Next we are going to tell you about some of the advantages and disadvantages of free online courses. In this way you can choose if it is really worth doing it compared to the courses that are face-to-face or paid. Do not lose detail!
Advantages of free online courses
Do not miss some of the advantages, the most pleasant side of the free online courses
They are for free
They are free and therefore you do not have to drop a single euro to be able to train. There is a lot of variety in the virtual world and you can probably find what you want to train in, even partially without having to think about money.
Flexibility to choose your own time
Are you a morning person or an evening person? What part of the day are you most productive? This is not a question people are asked when they go to school. At school, it is necessary to follow the schedule that the teachers have planned.
With free online courses, the situation changes. One can decide when is the best time to study. For example, a working mom might have a hard time finding time to take a course in addition to your day job. With free online courses, this situation is possible because there is greater flexibility when you decide to pass the study.
More interaction
Researchers disagree on whether traditional or online learning is better for fostering interaction. Some studies have shown that e-learning can increase the interaction of certain personalities. In other words, free online courses offer shy or more reluctant the opportunity to participate in chats and discussion forums than in the traditional classroom setting.
Convenience
Students can stay in their pajamas while doing their homework and activities for the day. Studying in a familiar environment can make it easier to concentrate and complete tasks. Alternatively, if they have a free minute on the trainThey could also use that time to complete a task on their phone or laptop!
Some students experience great performance pressure when they attend a course with other people. Studying on their own lessens this type of stress and can bring better results in the end. What's more, this reduces the distraction of other students.
You save a lot of money
Being free you save a lot of money because these courses require fewer instructors and books. They do not spend money on classrooms or facilities and can find their income in other ways such as sponsorships or advertising.
Take courses that you like
This is also possible in the traditional classroom, but in most cases it involves traveling far from home or even permanently moving to another city. Choosing the course of your dreams could be easier if it is available online. You don't need to spend a large amount of money on transportation or relocation.
Adapted to different needs
Participants can learn at their own pace. If someone is faster than the other participants, he or she does not need to wait for them. On the other hand, if someone is slower, he or she may take longer. Course creators can also tailor courses based on the different needs of their students.
Disadvantages of free online courses
As in everything, free online courses also have their disadvantages ...
Little information and no certificates
Normally, being a free course, they usually lack official recognition, They do not usually have learning certificates and in addition, they tend to have biased information. This means that if you want to go deeper into the topic that interests you, you will have to pay to complement it.
Impersonal
Receiving an education in a traditional classroom is an activity that occurs within a social context. Interacting with other people is not the main objective of an online course. Some people need a teacher to learn a new topic. Having a teacher in person to answer your questions and solve your problems is only possible in a traditional classroom setting.
Health problems
Learning from a computer screen "You will hurt your eyes." This is something that many parents tell their children when they spend too much time on their computers. Learning from a computer for hours without interruption can cause vision problems, strain injuries, and back problems. Also, some topics require practice and cannot be taught simply with online lessons, even if they are free.
Requires a lot of self-discipline
If students do not have self-discipline, it is highly unlikely that they will be motivated to complete their free online courses. There is no one to tell you to sit down and start your studies ... In addition, being free, they detract from it, as if paying is of higher quality, although the quality is the same.