The COVID-19 Pandemic came as a turmoil and a wave many of us might not have imagined. It affected many industries differently but proved useful for the education sector. As a result, online learning and virtual colleges have become the new normal for students. Students can now learn from their computers without going to college.
Adapting was tough at first, but the benefits soon became clear. It is often said that “Change brings improvements”, With every industry evolving after the pandemic universities started using technology to deliver their courses to the students. Today, virtual learning is accepted globally and shows new ways to gain knowledge. Now, the question is how virtual college is changing higher education and is it the right choice to join one? This article will help you understand everything about this type of college before you decide to enrol yourself in one of those online courses.
What is a Virtual College?
A virtual college is an online educational institution that provides different courses and degree programmes completely online. Specifically, it delivers its lectures, and course materials and conducts exams with the help of digital platforms. Consequently, it serves as a one-stop solution for students to access their coursework anywhere in the world.
Many students might wonder if it is the right choice to enrol in an online degree programme without complete knowledge. To get the most from your online degree, you must understand how virtual colleges work and align with your goals.
Functions of a Virtual College
They provide complete degrees and courses online. This allows students to have a much more flexible and accessible approach worldwide. There are a few key things you need to know about how a virtual college operates:
- Online Lecture Delivery: These colleges use Learning Management Systems to organise classes. Some of the famous LMS tools are Blackboard and Canvas. With these tools, students can easily access recorded lectures and their reading materials such as digital textbooks or articles. They can also submit their homework and assignments on these platforms.
- Flexible Learning: The main aim of online learning is to allow students to learn at their own pace. A virtual college will enable them to manage their studies along with other duties.
- Real-World Focus: Virtual colleges focus more on practical skills. It helps students gain real-world experience rather than restricting them in classrooms.
Types of Virtual College Programmes
In choosing the right course of education, you'll need to be aware of the various programmes out there. Each programme is designed in a way that gives flexibility and allows students to study on their schedule and other commitments. The following items below are some types of common virtual college programmes:
1. Associate Degree
These are generally two-year degree programmes. It provides a basic knowledge of a specific field and builds a foundation. This further allows them to either start working or pursue higher education. Associate Degrees are common for fields like business, healthcare, and IT.
2. Bachelor Degree
Also called an Undergraduate degree. It is completely online and provides students with a much stronger foundation. It also allows them to earn a similar on-campus degree but by studying online and flexibly. These are common in fields like Nursing, social science, and communications.
3. Master’s Degree
A Master’s degree is a specialisation in a specific field or subject. It is normally between the time period of 1 to 2 years. Some examples of Masters degrees offered by a virtual college are Masters of Science and Masters in Business Administration.
4. Doctoral Programme
These are designed for students looking to gain expertise in a specific field. It provides advanced and top-level education. This programme offers flexibility to pursue advanced studies while balancing other professional commitments.
5. Diploma Programme
These programmes are much smaller than degree programmes. They are designed to obtain specific skills at a lower level. It is best for people who are looking to gain skills quickly and advance to a professional job. They are completed between six months to two years at a virtual college.
6. Hybrid Programme
These are a mix of both online and offline classes. These are used in fields that require practical experience along with theory. Even though much of the learning is done online, some in-person sessions are added to the coursework.
How is Virtual College transforming Higher Education?
Virtual college and online learning have turned out to be the pillars of change for the education sector. No one can be deprived of education in the 21st century. This method of learning has changed the entire system in a way by breaking certain stereotypes such as financial issues and distance.
Let us look at more ways in which virtual colleges are transforming the higher education sector.
Remote Access
Virtual college makes education easily available for everyone. It has nothing to do with where you live and what your financial state is. You can access courses and programmes from some of the top-ranked universities around the world. All you need is a laptop and a stable internet connection. Virtual college also closes the gap in education between urban and remote areas. It opens opportunities for people who have the passion to learn.
Convenient Learning
A university is so much more than just sitting in lectures. There are so many things that we are expected to do, which sometimes is not possible due to time limits. Earlier research has shown that many students leave university in the middle due to the work pressure which is stressful. That is not the case with virtual college, it offers flexibility and allows the students to set their speed of learning. This has been a major change now allowing students to manage studies with other commitments.
Budget Friendly
Higher education can be a huge task. One of the main challenges coming up could be the cost of the entire programme along with other costs such as food, transport, and accommodation. However a virtual college has a lot cheaper fees, and you can also avoid all the additional expenses such as food, accommodation, and textbooks. This reduction of costs makes higher education easier. Moving forward virtual college is going to eliminate all excuses as to why people cannot study and pursue the courses they desire.
Networking Opportunities
Online education allows students to connect to other students, professors, and people from the job industries worldwide. This allows them to build a diverse learning environment and a strong exchange of cultures. Students can also use this opportunity to build connections with job recruiters and HR professionals to foster connections for job opportunities.
Better Teaching Methods
Since virtual college uses technology from start to end in delivering lectures. It is also moving towards innovation of new and interesting teaching methods. Gaming methods, live gestures, and the use of virtual reality have been effective in building more engagement and motivation to study among students. These methods bring better outcomes and also help students to focus on areas that need improvements.
Handles a large number of students
Unlike traditional universities, a virtual college can fit more students and is not limited by any space restrictions. This allows them to provide higher education to areas where there are not many face-to-face universities available. Also, these colleges allow professors to handle a large number of students at one time. This is not the same with traditional universities.
Conclusion
In summary, virtual college is changing higher education with more easy and affordable learning. Students can now pursue courses from top universities worldwide without the need to move or travel. The future of education is shifting towards becoming digital. Colleges like the College of Contract Management are driving the change, which offers a more flexible and worldwide integrated higher education for everyone. Virtual learning is becoming more organised. Smart technology makes the experience more open to and useful to all.
Also, virtual learning is working towards developing more flexible future tech learners. This will then prepare them to do well in a rapidly changing job market. Choosing the right programme with the correct resources can help you achieve your goals. The College strives not only to give budget-friendly online courses. They have quality as the top priority to help their students get the best outcome for their learning.
