The Evolution of Online Education: A Brief History

You might have heard your parents talk about ‘correspondence courses’ back in their time. Correspondence programmes came out in the mid-19th century by the University of London. In the 1890s, it reached mainstream America. Gradually, it spread to many parts of the world. Well, correspondence is what you know as a distance mode of learning in today’s time. Though it prevails even now, it was not very popular among students in the succeeding years until the 21st century, which brought a huge change in the education sector globally and pushed online education into our lives. 

How Did it Begin?

The first instance of distance learning, a pivotal moment in the history of education, was introduced in Boston, USA in 1728. This pioneering effort laid the groundwork for the evolution of online education. The concept gained further traction in the 1840s when Sir Isaac Pitman began offering correspondence courses in shorthand in Gloucestershire, UK. The University of London then made a significant stride in 1858 by launching correspondence degree courses. 

The establishment of the open university in 1969 by the UK labour government marked a significant shift in the education system. This was followed by the University of Alberta's initiative to offer free online courses. In the same vein, India witnessed the evolution of distance education at Delhi University in 1962, which was further advanced by the establishment of the first open university, Bhim Rao Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad. 

Later, in 1994, there was a paradigm in India as ISRO started providing a teleconferencing facility for the first time at IGNOU, New Delhi. This video and two-way audio communication encouraged live interaction with learners. In a major reform, the teleconferencing service was recognised as an official channel for education. This was under the Gyandarshan platform. Fighting a series of battles with technology and other barriers, two-way interaction or online learning took shape. After all these efforts, the pandemic of 2020 gave the much-needed push to online education. 

Markets and research have stipulated the massive growth of online education by 2025, which we can see turning true. The pandemic-induced lockdown was a major growth factor in online education's popularity.

The Early Struggle

During the pandemic, teachers and students suddenly had to adapt to these new ways. It was a huge challenge for everyone. Initially, institutions needed help understanding and getting students accustomed to the technology. Simultaneously, technology was evolving and created a whole new Edtech industry. Although it was the need of the hour, students preferred to opt for in-person learning and experience campus learning. As the accessibility of online education increased and its benefits unfurled, the popularity of online education skyrocketed. Today, it is on par with regular offline learning. 

Benefits of Online Education

• No relocation required 

When pursuing online education, you don’t go to your class, the classroom comes to you. From a certificate, diploma or professional degree, you can add any credential to your profile without getting worried about relocation. 

• You are the master of your learning space

The traditional classrooms feel formal and sturdy. In the case of online education, you can create your own comfortable space keeping all the distractions outside the door. It will be a place which does not require carrying books, laptops or even getting dressed up. 

• Global networking opportunities

Networking opportunities in online education have significantly evolved, offering students a wealth of professional connections and collaborative experiences. With advancements in technology, online platforms now facilitate virtual meetups, discussion forums, and group projects, fostering a sense of community among learners from diverse backgrounds. For instance, online MBA programs provide rewarding networking opportunities by connecting students with industry leaders, alumni, and peers through virtual events, webinars, and social media groups. These interactions not only enhance learning but also open doors to career advancements and entrepreneurial ventures.

• Working and learning will go hand in hand

Most of the candidates are full-time or part-time employees. For them going back to academics is a tough decision. Rigid schedules of physical classrooms may hamper professional life. However, in online education, you can easily balance out both. You can watch lectures at your own time and pace. In fact, you will be earning while learning which puts less pressure on your pocket. 

• You can switch careers without a career gap

For individuals who intend to transition into a new career path, online learning is the solution. It gives you enough space to develop new skills and continuously diversify your skillset. It is one of the easiest ways of switching careers. 

• Learn from anywhere across the globe

The Internet has no boundaries, no limits. And if education is over the internet, then learning knows no boundaries. You may be living in India, still, you can pursue a degree from a university in Germany. There are many online platforms like Coursera, upGrad and others which are known for providing such courses from universities abroad. 

• A blessing for your pocket 

All the above-mentioned pointers might have given you a clue about the economic benefits of online education. With no classroom requirement, universities don’t charge a high tuition fee, no relocation means no housing expenses and travelling troubles. This brings down the cost of online education and makes it much more affordable than regular degrees. 

Summing Up

It won’t be wrong to say that online education is the future. It will become a strong competitor for offline-based learning. With the technology boom, it can happen in no time. In the future, we can expect AR/VR-backed learning and machine learning to show good results in this sector. As the times have changed, the education system is also upgrading as per the winds. Yet the choice to pursue online education is an individual choice and a personal need.