How Online Education Benefits Students in Malaysia

Education is very crucial in this modern life. A good education has the power to change a life. In this 21st century world, technology and innovation has changed the way education is delivered. Nowadays, in this digital age, people can enroll for online education. According to Schinkten (2016), online education is defined as the use of the Internet in a teaching or learning process. It has become a major phenomenon around the world.

The purpose of online education is to give opportunities to people who are sitting on their armchair at home dreaming about sailing to having them take an action.

Certain nations have embraced online education including Malaysia. Malaysia has stepped up the game in online education field by offering a variety of online degree programs and courses in some institutions such as University of Malaya (UM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Open University Malaysia (OUM) and many more.

This initiative is viewed as a stepping stone taken by the ministry of education to maximize the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for distance and self-paced learning and expand access to high quality teaching regardless of location or student’s skill level align with the seventh shift in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013 until 2025 which is leverage ICT to scale up quality learning across Malaysia.

Although Malaysia may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of online education, in reality, it offers similar benefits to the people just like societies in any other countries such as real course experience, scheduling flexibility and lower costs.

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First and foremost, online education promotes real course experience. Online learners will be highly engaged with virtual learning. They are able to watch recorded lectures, complete and submit assignments, join in discussions, collaborate with other students and communicate with their instructors from the comforts of their own home with the internet.

Required coursework remains similar between traditional and online courses as they will have examinations, presentations, quizzes and projects. Each of these assignments come with a deadline that every degree candidates must meet. Moreover, they can get an instant results of their online quizzes and examinations. They will also earn the same academic credits as those taken in campus. Online learners may experience more interactions between their peers and instructors than in the classroom with the use of discussion boards, chat rooms, emails, Skype and online forums.

As a result, they are able to discover the viewpoints of each of their classmates, broaden their perspective and share their own thoughts and ideas without having to go to a meeting place that might not be convenient for them. Furthermore, they may also find it easier to ask questions directly to their instructors without having to wait for office hours.

In addition, faculty and staff are available to assist them throughout their learning experience similar as traditional education. Online learners are granted the same rights and privileges as campus students, however, they also need to abide the same rules and regulations. At the end of the online course, the learners will get a certificate. In fact, universities and employers are equally acknowledged degrees and certificates that are achieved after completing an online course or graduating from an online degree.

Secondly, it provides flexibility where online learners can customize their schedule and learning environment. They can personalized their learning by arranging a learning schedule that meets their individual needs and creating their own perfect space to study the course materials and do their assignments anywhere that has an internet connection such as at home, on the road or a friend’s house.

Many people enroll in a traditional college program will have to forget about work, hobbies and family because they are too busy with their studies which resulting them, especially single parents and people who work, decide to forget all of their dreams to further their studies. Therefore, online education is tailored to meet adults with busy schedules, family obligations and social commitments to pursue their academic goals in their off hours because they are not tied down to a fixed schedule.

For instance, they can start studying their online course after their kids are asleep or after they have finished their work. They can also break away from the monolithic one hour lecture into short and modular units of ten to fifteen minutes lecture depends on their background, skills and interests.

Furthermore, they have 24/7 access to better accommodate their busy schedule. Online learners are in control of their own progress through any online college course they take (Dumbauld, 2017). They may find themselves as an independent learner and realize the need to cultivate their self discipline and time management skills to ensure completion of their coursework. In addition, they can use time management tools like scheduling time and tasks in an online calendar. This will also improve their technical skills.

Last but not least, it is less costly rather than the regular courses. In Malaysia, cost of higher education has been increasing. This makes education unaffordable for many people. However, with the existence of online education, they can save hundreds of ringgits to get their degree when they’re learning online.

Although many people think that buying a computer or smart phone and paying for Internet access costs an arm and a leg, they need to consider the amount of money that will cost them in parking, college fees, eating out, child care and pet care that they need to provide every time they are away from home. They only need to have a basic knowledge of ICT, the right hardware and software to log on as well as a technology device. Online education makes higher education possible and accessible for all who want it align with the first shift in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013 until 2025 which is provide equal access to quality education of an international standard. It establishes education as a fundamental human right.

Anyone with the ability and motivation can easily get the skills that they need in order to brighten their future for themselves, their families, communities and countries. It can also produce more people with amazing talents and knowledge. What if the cure for cancer was trapped inside the mind of someone who could not afford an education? If that person is offered an education, they will be able to come up with great ideas and make the world a better place for all of us.

In conclusion, online education brings many benefits such as real course experience, scheduling flexibility and cheaper fees. In order to achieve these benefits, public schooling should taught students the basic computer skills. In a world that is constantly evolving, we should never stop learning. Online education is made for people who desperately need an education or people who could not get it through regular ways, not merely because it looks easier that way.

People who value education will understand the value of online education. Learning online opens up a world of opportunities for students who at one time thought a university education might be out of their reach. They just need to be exposed to it and refine the processes. It could be a life changing experience for a lot of people around the world. A better educated world population might prevent another devastating racism cases in Malaysia. Now, the future is ours to shape.