Are online courses like Coursera and edX worth it?

Hey! This is my opinion about online courses that are widely available as an alternative to classroom learning. Before further discussing the feasibility of online courses, especially Coursera and edX, it would be better to equate the definition of an online course.

What is an online course?

Online courses are a way to learn new skills or gain new knowledge from loot far or without face-to-face and are done online. Some courses are paid, and some are offered for free.

So, I want to point out online courses, virtual classes, and flexible timing. However, it depends heavily on the courses offered, such as online courses from educational institutions, university courses, training institutes, MOOCs, and e-learning sites.

Reasons to take an online course.

The goals of people taking online courses vary widely. Some want to add new knowledge and expand their horizons. Others have to learn extra for their career or to pass the course they are studying.

I take online courses to add insight and love learning new things. In addition, it is also very fond of the method and way of delivering the material. For example, some time ago, I took a course called google IT Professional Certificates offered by Google through Coursera.

I followed him because I wanted to know how the Google team delivered the materials, materials, and advanced. The curriculum offered does look innovative and structured. The instructors are also very passionate about teaching from all backgrounds. This program introduces me to troubleshooting, customer service, networking, operating systems, system administration, and security. It’s interesting. Those are all the foundations you need to know in the IT world, and the good news is I learned directly from IT experts like Google.

Questions you should be asking

The question is: “will the course be useful when applying for a job?” are online courses worth the time you spend? Are online courses worth the time you spend?

This question is very relative to me, but here are some questions you need to answer to find out.

1. Are the courses offered by well-known online learning a good reputation? You can find out on the internet; this way, you will find out if it is not a hoax or if it will eventually be worth your time.
2. How long is the course available after you sign up? If you sign up, whether paid or free, is the time given to complete the course enough? One of the greatest qualities of online learning is that they offer independent education. If it’s not given, you probably shouldn’t believe it.
3. Does the online course have a certificate proving that you’ve taken it? It is very important because it may play an important role in your career.

Why online courses are worth it

So, is an online course worth it? Yes, but it depends on the institution that offers it. Here I exemplify the online courses of Coursera and edX, so I can say both institutions have a good reputation, innovative curriculum, expert teachers from companies as well as from world-renowned campuses, even most of the best in the world. You can all find Google, IBM, Microsoft, Harvard, Stanford, and MIT on edX and part of Coursera.

Will it be useful when applying for a job?

You will gain added value when applying for a job by taking an online course. Taking the course shows that I know other knowledge in addition to the knowledge gained at the university. Employment providers are also certainly more pleased with employees who have extensive knowledge and are skilled in doing many things. The course also indicates that you are a person who has a strong desire and likes to learn about new things.

The certificate also proves that you have completed a series of courses from the courses offered. Certain stages make certificates possibly very influential. For example, if the HRD selects two candidates with the same qualifications, but one includes certification from edX and Coursera, the recruiter will likely choose the second because he has added value.

Online courses vs. academic learning

In my view, academic learning on campus has not been able to replace the degree of an online course. Of course, several factors oppose distance learning methods. Some say they find it difficult to set their routines, making it easier to get used to classes at a set time and location.

Others believe that online course platforms do not allow the same learning because they believe they need to interact with teachers and colleagues to achieve actual knowledge acquisition. Or Another factor that I do not know about is the course organizer’s policy.

For example, the courses Stanford online offers through Coursera claim that they are like extra learning and do not include semester credits. And of course, this seems to be the Stanford emphasized that classroom learning is a much better and unequal online course.

Another case example is a Google IT Support Professional Certificate via Coursera. The good news is that the IT Support Professional Certificate recently received a credit recommendation from the American Council on Education’s (ACE) ACE CREDIT ®, the industry standard for translating workplace learning into college credit. Now, students can earn a recommendation of 12 college credits to complete the program – the equivalent of four college courses at the associate degree level. It aims to help open up additional pathways for students interested in higher education and prepare them for early-level work.

Benefits of online courses on Coursera or edX

1. Flexible time. While this depends largely on the type of course, from the experience of courses at COURSERA and EDX, the MOOC offers flexible courses. So, I can complete the course at any time based on my pace and meet my deadlines.
2. Add insight. You can add knowledge and not only get one of them from formal education, through this course.
3. Learn from anywhere. The courses are 100% online, and there are no face-to-face requirements.
4. Taught by expert instructors. I believe those teaching instructors in academic classes are professionals and experts in their fields. But it doesn’t hurt to try this course to learn how to teach it and its methods.
5. Course Can repeat Contents Easily. in learning online, you can repeat the material as much as you want until you understand, for example, by replaying the instructor’s video.

Drawbacks of online courses

1. Could backfire. Some companies don’t even see a CV or degree; they test their skills more during interviews. If you include a certificate, it cannot be anything once tested. It can backfire on you.
2. Easy manipulation of cheating. Sometimes someone who takes an online course wants to get a degree or certificate without understanding the material studied. A certificate just as proof you’ve completed the process. If the process cannot guarantee that the person working on the process is the certificate’s owner, is the certificate trustworthy?

Conclusion

In the end, online courses. So is it worth it? Yes, answer, but it depends on the institution that offers it. I recommend you choose edX and Coursera if you want to follow suit. In addition, online courses also have positive and negative sides.

If you are interested in trying courses in Coursera, read how to get financial aid from Coursera.