With digitalization sweeping through many industries across the world, education as we know it is changing. Thanks to the internet, education has become more accessible than ever. It’s now possible for students to learn in class without even stepping foot in a classroom. There’s no doubt that online learning offers convenience and flexibility, but is it truly an effective way to learn, or simply a petiks way to earn a degree?

While many of today’s learners are curious about the prospect of going to college online, there are many myths surrounding online education that need to be busted. From the lack of difficulty to the absence of human interaction, here are six misconceptions about online learning and how an effective online learning model can debunk them.

1. The quality of education is lower

Many people still think that online learning delivers education at a lower standard than the traditional learning setup. However, a market research study found that 86% of online graduate students were impressed by the quality of online education, saying that the value of their online degrees met or even exceeded expectations¹.

While it is certainly true that some online learning programs are designed poorly, or merely try to replicate the classroom environment, a good online educational program should be the product of a design process which ensures that courses are well organized and deliver content and assessments that maximize flexibility, access to learning modules, and other advantages of online learning.

2. There is no human interaction

If you can video call a friend across the globe, then technology certainly makes it possible to interact with instructors and classmates.

Peer-to-peer learning is central to online learning. Based on a survey of university students, online collaborative learning in groups can lead to improved individual learning experiences². From discussion forums to group projects, an effective online learning institution should maximize avenues for students to interact and work together – as interpersonal skills such as effective communication and collaboration are much needed in the workplace³.

3. Online learning encourages cheating

The sophistication and capabilities of AI technology are rapidly accelerating. ChatGPT, a powerful language model developed by OpenAI, has the ability to generate human-like text - making it possible to engage in natural language conversations. With the rise of ChatGPT and other AI technologies, many voices within the academe have expressed their concerns on their use in education, seeing it as a means to encourage plagiarism and cheating⁴.

On the other hand, the argument can also be made that the use of AI technology in education provides opportunities for educators to reevaluate the ways in which students are assessed. Rather than shunning the use of AI in the classroom setting and sticking to essays and other “one-and-done” assignments, forward-thinking educators are shifting to alternative assessment models based on “authentic assessment”. This model is focused on how students apply their learnings to certain contexts, developing their critical thinking and feedback skills - two skills highly desired in the workplace⁵.

4. Online learning is all lecture

Video lectures are a component of many online education programs, but learning can go so much deeper than that. Studies have shown that online learning has contributed to increased student retention rates anywhere from 25-60% with engaging multimedia content, more flexibility in how learners consume the curriculum, and a lower likelihood of classes conflicting with other commitments.

Alongside lectures, there are online degree programs that build their curricula on collaborative assessments such as group projects and case studies that often mirror what happens in real work settings. These give students a chance to apply what they’ve learned and demonstrate their comprehension.

5. You need to be tech-savvy to learn online

While it’s true that students will need a few baseline tech skills such as knowing how to connect to the internet or to navigate a web browser, but in general, many tools and programs used in online learning have familiar aspects and are designed for better student experiences.

Furthermore, many institutions with online degree programs offer tutorials, and in some cases, have dedicated student support teams to assist with any problems.

6. Anyone can succeed in an online course

While this may be true in theory, finding success with online learning all boils down to discipline and effective time management. In a survey conducted by the Online Learning Consortium, two thirds of academic leaders who were surveyed highlighted the lack of discipline as a critical barrier to a successful online learning experience⁶.

One of the benefits of online learning is that you can engage with materials on your own time. Some institutions even offer flexible class schedules to allow learners to pick times when learning is most convenient and conducive for them, providing a better balance between academics and other responsibilities.

Online education for real-world experience

With the aim of trumping the myths surrounding online learning, Mapúa Malayan Digital College (MMDC) believes that digital education can translate into real-world experience. As a digital-first college, MMDC offers students a fully online college experience that provides progressive training and academics that focus on the application of technology in businesses.

Built on almost a century of Mapúan academic excellence, MMDC has introduced a Projects, Problems, and Cases learning model that not only imparts technical and analytical knowledge, but also develops creative and leadership skills much needed in today’s workforce. The model is both challenging and collaborative, balancing out lectures with group projects and case studies that encourage social interaction. With digital technology as the foundation of learning and medium of instruction, MMDC also provides learners with access to various online learning platforms, globally-recognized curriculum-based courses from LinkedIn and Coursera, and multi-channel technical support for any troubleshooting needs.

By reimagining online education to focus on the student experience, MMDC prepares learners for tomorrow’s opportunities through an educational model that fits their needs today.

Classes for SY 2023-2024 will begin on August 22. Enrollment is now ongoing. To apply visit https://www.mmdc.mcl.edu.ph/