In the last decade, online learning has been the topic of numerous debates. Many K–12 schools have moved to a hybrid of online learning, and colleges and universities have started offering even more online classes. While greater attention has been paid to online learning, it has been around for a long time. Who takes these online classes, and why do they choose online classes over traditional in-person learning?

In this article, online learning and education will refer to both virtual classes held within the timeframe of a traditional semester and courses that are completely independent and self-guided.

An Upward Trend in Online Learning

The Distance Education Enrollment Report 2017, published by the Digital Learning Compass, reported that the number of higher education students enrolled in at least one online course topped six million in 2015 (Online Learning Consortium).

According to UTEP Connect, 68% of students enrolled in online education already have careers and are either looking to change careers or advance in their current careers. The ability to fit an online degree into an existing schedule appeals to these professionals, but others are also taking advantage of the increased availability of online courses.

Report Specifics

OnlineLearning reported the following regarding demographic information of the online student population: 

• Gender: More women than men enroll in online degree programs, especially at the undergraduate level.
• Age: While the highest percentage of online learners falls between the ages of 25 and 29, online programs tend to attract a larger share of older, “nontraditional” students.
• Family life: About half of online learners are married and have children under 18.
• Employment: Nearly 40% of undergraduate students and 60% of graduate students work full-time while attending online colleges and universities.
• Ethnicity: Some colleges and organizations are using online programs and tools to improve college access for underrepresented students. Experts suggest such initiatives are works in progress.
• Proximity: Historically, the majority of online students lived within 100 miles of their institutions. However, according to a 2014 Learning House Report, this share is declining rapidly, falling from 80% to 54% in just two years.

An Appeal to Nontraditional Students

As stated above, online courses tend to attract nontraditional students. The National Center of Education Statistics (NCES) has specific criteria for defining nontraditional students, and they tend to fall into at least one of the following categories (Tooley): 

• Full-time workers
• Part-time students
• Older students who delayed college or are seeking a second degree
• Students who are financially independent
• Parents to at least one dependent

Flexibility

One of the major reasons online classes attract nontraditional students is flexibility. These students tend to have more responsibilities, such as obligations to family or their careers, than the average college student just out of high school.

Additionally, the ability to complete a course without being tied to a physical location or time zone is highly beneficial for students who move or travel frequently. The Learning House reports that in 2014, 17% of online learners were active or veteran military, their spouses, or their dependents (Tooley). It also benefits those who don’t live near a desired university or can’t travel to one.

Accessibility

Students with disabilities take advantage of the many accessibility tools built into online courses that are unavailable in an in-person classroom (check out some of those functions in Exploring E-textbooks: Pros and Cons). For students who are self-directed and highly motivated, an online course allows them to work at their own pace and complete it as quickly as they want.

Choosing Online Classes

If you are trying to decide whether an online class is right for you, it is important to understand yourself as a student. Is in-person interaction important to you? Do you need heavily structured classes, or do you thrive at going at your own pace? Do you have time for a traditional degree, or do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? All of these questions and more are important when deciding on what program or university is right for you.

To preview the features available to you or your students through MyEducator’s online resources, check out our catalog or request demo access!

Sources

Online Learning Consortium. (n.d.). New study: Over six million students now enrolled in distance education. OLC. Retrieved July 20, 2022, from https://onlinelearningconsortium.org/news_item/new-study-six-million-students-now-enrolled-distance-education/

Tooley, A. (2021, August 17). Online student trends and success factors – OnlineEducation.com. OnlineEducation. Retrieved July 20, 2022, from https://www.onlineeducation.com/guide/who-studies-online

UTEP Connect. (2018, January). The who, what, when and why behind online education. UTEP Connect Extended University. Retrieved July 20, 2022, from https://www.utep.edu/extendeduniversity/utepconnect/blog/january-2018/the-who-what-when-and-why-behind-online-education.html