Flexibility is key in this day and age; online learning provides the flexibility to learn at your own pace and the convenience of learning anytime, anywhere. From the freedom to make your own schedule to the ease of studying from anywhere in the world, online learning has tapped into a new level of flexibility in education.
The Shift Toward Online Education
Online learning students achieve the same credentials as on-campus courses and have an equivalent workload. Online students study and complete assignments around their own schedules while meeting deliverables and due dates. They also participate in discussion boards and group projects all from the comfort of their homes.
The remote nature of learning through the internet was especially valuable at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency remote learning temporarily became the primary method of educational delivery for post-secondary students but was largely just lectures recorded and moved online. Despite the rushed response to move content online, as the world forged through this unprecedented period, learners embraced the change. Many students have opted to continue with online learning through more established and polished offerings (with programs and courses designed specifically for asynchronous online delivery). Now, nearly 54% of college students are enrolled in one or more online classes (Hechinger Post, 2024).
Flexible Learning for Busy Professionals and Individuals
A good portion of virtual learners are working professionals motivated by professional development and career growth. These busy individuals are looking for flexible learning solutions that fit into tight schedules without needing to compromise on quality. Online learning enables students to study when it’s most convenient for them.
Gone are the days of rushing from work to a night class or finding a babysitter so you can attend a professional development course. Today’s students can simply boot up their laptops wherever and whenever they choose. Though there are set timelines and due dates for all programs and courses, online learning’s flexibility stems from giving students the ability to study full-time or part-time with access to materials 24/7.
Recent Algonquin College Online alumna, Stephanie, really appreciated this aspect. Throughout her schooling in Human Resources Management, Stephanie worked 40 hours a week while being her father’s primary caregiver, ”Online learning allowed me to complete coursework from home while I took care of my dad and worked full-time. The flexibility it provided made it so that I didn’t have to sacrifice my education, work schedule, or my dad’s health. I can’t describe how much this eased the burden on me.”
Accessibility from Anywhere
Distance isn’t an issue anymore thanks to online learning. Regardless of where students live and work, virtual learning enables them to study from anywhere in the world.
This was exactly what Human Resources Management alumna, Nadisha, was looking for when she decided to completely change careers, “In-person classes were not an option because I was living with my mom in Woodbridge, five hours away from Ottawa. I wasn’t willing to move to a new city because I needed to prioritize work. Online learning helped me attain my goal of changing careers. Education is priceless and I’m grateful we have the option to learn online especially when you need to continue working.” Thanks to online learning, Nadisha didn’t have to choose between her education and her career. She could have her cake and eat it too.
Future-Proofing Your Career with Online Learning
Competition in the job market is fierce and an increasing number of students pursue post-graduate credentials to stand out from the crowd. A graduate certificate is an academic credential offered to students who have obtained a diploma, advanced diploma or a degree and wish to continue their studies to master their field of interest. These are post-grad credentials that are viewed as specializations.
Students who obtain a graduate certificate can unlock career opportunities that might not have been previously available to them, all without needing to change careers. These specializations improve their chances of advancing their careers, networking with professionals with similar goals, and gaining expertise that can lead to more diverse job openings.
With the advent of new technologies like AI, more companies are finding efficiencies and adding new responsibilities to existing roles. Online learning enables students to build on their existing education and experience and apply what they’re actively learning to their current roles.
Employees need to adapt to these demands which is exactly why AC Online graduate, Rachel, enrolled in the Digital Analytics program. When the company Rachel worked for asked her to be more involved in marketing, she was more than ready to take on the challenge, “The courses aligned perfectly with that shift in direction. I could apply what I was learning in school directly to my career. I also used a lot of my company and work experience in coursework and business cases in some of my classes.”
The Future of Education is Online
As the demand for flexible, high-quality education grows, Algonquin College continues to lead the way with innovative online programs designed for working professionals.
Learn more about AC Online and Algonquin College’s flexible online programs today.
