Five Awesome Infographics About Online Education

For years there has been a certain stigma attached to qualifications achieved online – the majority of us simply didn’t (and often still don’t) believe that they held the same weight and value as a qualification gained in the classroom.

Yet times are changing. Increasing costs of the traditional University education combined with developing technologies means that the associated stigma is deteriorating.

Today, more and more adults are sitting up and taking note: they’re realising that getting educated online means they can increase their knowledge and skill-set without having to quit their jobs and simultaneously accrue thousands of pounds worth of debt.

Want to know more?

How the Internet is Revolutionising Education

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This mind-opening infographic offers a brief history of e-learning, along with an insight into the present stratosphere of e-education and a look into the possibilities that the future may hold.

What we learned:

  • The first ever e-learning institute was the Open University, launched in 1971.
  • The largest University in the US today is the University of Phoenix, with a mere 500,000 students.
  • It’s estimated that by 2019, 50% of University classes will be taught online.

Important Milestones in Online Education

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Another infographic that looks at the history of online education, yet in far more detail. Laid out in what should be a very simple to understand timeline, this infographic’s attempt at being ‘different’ actually means that some of the information is a little hard to dissect.

What we learned:

  • The University of Phoenix was opened in 1989 by John Sperling and Terri Hedegaard Bishop. The University was the first to offer Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees using online technologies.
  • 1994 saw the launch of the first ‘virtual summer school’. As well as listening to lectures and browsing journals, students were able to participate in group discussions, prepare presentations and submit their work virtually.
  • As of 2010, the global value of the e-learning industry is estimated to be around 90 billion dollars.

Funding for Online Education

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This colourful infographic offers information of a rather different nature; it dives into the world of educational grants, namely those that are available to fund online education.

What we learned:

  • That consumer giants Coca-Cola and Best Buy are committed to giving a little back by offering grants and scholarships to U.S. citizens.
  • Certain regions of the U.S. place particular emphasis on ensuring ethnic minorities have equal access to education through the distribution of grants.
  • Insurance professionals AXA also offer grants – 52 of them to be precise – one for a resident of each of the U.S. states.

How Has the Internet Changed Education?

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If you can look past the rather drab exterior of this infographic, you might notice that it actually hides some rather interesting facts and figures.

What we learned:

  • That an incredible 93% of students choose to carry out research online instead of making a trip to the library.
  • That eleven U.S. colleges offer training or courses in search engine optimisation and search engine marketing.
  • 1 in 3 academic leaders believe that knowledge learnt online is less valuable than that learnt through face-to-face teaching.

Student Demographics

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Another infographic with a difference; this educational chart looks into just who is choosing to learn online as opposed to in the classroom.

What we learned:

  • The majority (albeit by a small margin) of students learning online are aged 15 – 23. Those aged 30 and above come second.
  • The majority of degrees awarded online are in fact Master’s degrees.
  • Of those asked why they chose an online course, more than 50% said convenience.

So – should you choose to learn online?

While many people still believe an online education to be inferior to that of a more traditional nature, it seems that it’s mainly academic professionals rather than commercial business owners who hold this opinion most highly.

When it comes to applying for jobs, few employers are likely to be that concerned with how a qualification was achieved – rather their main concern will lie with how adept the candidate is likely to be at the role in question.

If attaining a qualification online looks to be the best educational route for your needs then there’s only one thing to be said – go for it!

About The Author:
Jessy is a business blogger for Life Insurance Finder, the free educational resource for top life insurance information.

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