Thanks to Covid-19, recent years have seen a major surge in the use of online learning. The necessity of keeping isolated, along with the development of more advanced communication and interactive technology, has resulted in online classes becoming an everyday activity for many learners worldwide.
Many signs indicate that online learning will continue to play a major role in the global education industry for years to come. Online learning, or e-learning, carries many benefits, including convenience, flexibility and efficiency, and the world is only just starting to tap into its full potential.
Research by the International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning revealed that self-paced online learning increases student satisfaction and reduces stress. Students engaging in online learning also reported better work-life balance, increased technical and time-management skills, as well as enhanced self-motivation.
The pandemic has revealed it is possible for online learning to be conducted on a mass scale, which learners and teachers alike can adapt to swiftly. According to the Research Institute of America, e-learning showed vastly higher knowledge-retention rates (25-60%) compared with face-to-face training (8-10%). Learning digitally also tended to require 40-60% less time per student than learning the material in traditional classrooms.
Closer to home, a survey by Chegg.org indicated that 78% of Malaysian tertiary students preferred online learning if it meant cheaper fees than conventional classes.
E-learning also has been proven to be good for the environment, with a study by Britain Open University revealing that online courses consumed an average of 90% less energy, and produced 85% fewer CO2 emissions per student than conventional face-to-face courses.
Even before Covid-19, the education technology market was already witnessing stellar growth, with edutech investments worldwide reaching US$18.7 billion in 2019. The overall market for online education is projected to reach US$350 billion by 2025.
Upskilling and reskilling
Jin Tan, CEO of homegrown educational platform ReSkills EdTech, can attest to the upsurge in users turning to digital learning over the past two years.
ReSkills is a subscription-based online platform that offers learners access to unlimited daily live classes, videos, courses, talks, conferences and materials for only US$1 (RM4.75) per month. Users can learn from international trainers in real time, and earn micro-certificates accredited by three international bodies.
Since its formation in late 2020, ReSkills has served over 720,000 learners from 70 countries worldwide, and worked with over 450 coaches.
Issues such as the pandemic, the increased use of automation in modern industry, and the ability to outsource on a global scale has resulted in the death or decline of many traditional jobs and positions. It is, therefore, crucial that workers constantly upgrade their skill sets or risk quickly becoming obsolete.
Quoting a report by the World Economic Forum, Tan stated that career upskilling and reskilling are greatly needed to provide sufficient education, capabilities and jobs for one billion people by 2030. He emphasised that while e-learning may not completely replace the role of traditional education in society, it has a vital role in supporting conventional learning techniques.
With this in mind, ReSkills recently upgraded its services by launching an education “super-app” last month. Dubbed “ReSkills 2.0”, the app features 20 major platform upgrades, including a complete overhaul of its interface and systems.
A one-click login system has been added for user convenience, as well as a learner’s leaderboard, rewards system, enhanced payment options, and coach profiles.
To increase accessibility, language channels have also been added, allowing users – from school age to adults – to choose classes in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese, sign language, or others.
Taking into account that knowledge is not just academic, the platform will soon further offer fitness, lifestyle, music, language, and K12 learning categories in addition to its existing career learning content.
Tan emphasised that these upgrades were to help ReSkills reach a greater number of learners, particularly those in rural or undeveloped areas. Its mission is to equip these users with the relevant skills required for today’s fast-paced, digital-based work environments.
“Education is the gateway for many to brighter futures and higher standards of living,” Tan concluded. “The future of education is definitely digital, and we hope users will never stop thirsting for knowledge and self-improvement.”
For more information and to download the app, click here.
This article was written by Terence Toh for ReSkills EdTech, a local online education platform aiming to make education affordable and accessible for all. Its ‘OnLive’ classes for adult learners are conducted by qualified and experienced coaches from all around the region.