The future of learning is digital

Online classes promote equitable access and empower students to succeed in higher education.

By Star Eisenberg, Online Editor

The online environment offers opportunities for people who would otherwise have limited access to education. The transition to remote learning in the COVID-19 era revealed an important lesson to all educational institutions: online courses are an invaluable asset.

In 2020, 98 percent of universities moved a majority of classes online. Since then, 43 percent have invested in creating new online learning resources, according to a report by Higher Ed Partners.

“We currently offer many degrees online as well as in-person,” said Valley College President Barry Gribbons. “Wherever there is a demand for online programs, we want to do our best to meet that demand.”

Online classes enable others to acquire new skills and keep up with industry trends in a rapidly evolving job market where higher levels of education are often linked to higher salaries.

“I’m a huge proponent and fan of online education,” said Dylan Altman, Valley College adjunct English professor and dual enrollment instructor. “I both take and teach them. I have been teaching online long before the COVID-19 pandemic. I have witnessed how online classes increase the access and equity for working students, busy students, parents, and non-traditional students.”

It’s important to note that eLearning requires strong self-motivation and time management skills. Some may not consider online to be as effective as in-person instruction. However, the main advantage of online learning is that it breaks down common barriers like distance and schedule by allowing students to participate virtually in higher education classes.