Questions to Ask Yourself Before Signing Up for Online Learning

1. Will this program help me in my career?

There are two primary reasons for choosing an online course - it can help you learn a new hobby or it can help you grow in your career. Most people tend to fall into the latter category, where they choose courses that can eventually help them get ahead in their career, a reason why programming, management, and digital marketing courses are often the most popular online courses. This is commonly the first question that you should ask yourself when selecting a course for upskilling - will this help me be better at my job and grow further in my career. If the answer is yes, then you should definitely take up the course.

2. Are there demos, trials, or free courses by the same company?

A lot of providers will either offer free online classes or demos of the course that you want to take. It is imperative that you take up a free course to ensure that their teaching style is in line with your learning style. The free course or the demos will also give you a holistic view of the software, the type of teaching, and the course in general.

3. What will I gain by the end of this course?

The point of this question is to understand what you want from the course in addition to the knowledge. Would you like accreditation, a degree, a certificate, maybe all? For example, Simplilearn has programs that offer a certificate of learning and also programs that offer Post Graduate and Masters degrees from well-known national and international universities. It is important to know exactly what your end goal is before you even start your online course.

4. What is the duration of this course?

Duration is extremely important, especially for professionals who are learning along with their full-time job. Courses can be anywhere between 1 to 12 months, sometimes even longer, which should be comfortable for the student. Degree-based courses are often longer, as they need to include a comprehensive learning experience within the online course. Make sure you are comfortable with the duration of the online class before you sign up for it lest you end up having to drop if halfway through.

5. Does the course curriculum include all the topics you want to learn?

When you sign up for an online course, you have some expectations of the type of topics you will learn. It is vital to ensure that the course includes everything you are looking for. Simplilearn courses are designed to include a comprehensive learning approach where in addition to learning textbook matter, learners also have capstone projects that get them ready for the real world. So, taking a look at the course list, syllabus, and topics will help you get a better idea of what you are looking for in an online course.

6. Are you self-motivated and disciplined?

The real world comes with a lot of distractions, and in an online learning environment sometimes these distractions can get the best of us. To become a successful online learning student, you will need to be self-motivated and disciplined to ensure that you chalk out some time each day or in a week to dedicate to learning. 

7. How easy is learning technology for people who aren’t tech-savvy?

Technology is extremely important for online learning, which is why you need to understand the system you will be learning on. Is the system simple, easy to use, and navigate? Are you comfortable making your way around the system when taking the course? If the CMS is too complicated, this could result in your becoming frustrated and abandoning the course mid-way.

8. Is the course pre-recorded or includes live classes?

The answer to this question lies in your preference and comfortability. If you prefer courses that are pre-recorded, then ensure that the online course you select is pre-recorded and has a great customer help section for your questions. However, if you learn in an interactive setting, you will need to select courses that include live online classes. Simplilearn offers a blend of recorded and live classes to give you the best of both worlds for an optimized learning experience.

9. Will the course provide you with real-world examples?

Online learning is great as it offers a better learning opportunity when done right. In addition to textbook learning, real-world examples are a must to ensure smooth application when you actually want to use your learning in your actual job. This is why having real-world examples and projects is important when it comes to online courses.

10. How does the course fit your schedule?

This is very important, especially if you are a professional who is learning in addition to doing your job. Check the course schedule and ensure that it fits into your working schedule. Make sure they offer multiple online classes or the ability to switch your dates to another online class in case you aren’t able to attend. Flexibility in online courses is what makes it a great learning experience.

Online learning is a boon and can easily help you skill up, especially as a professional looking to further your career. With online classes that fit right into your schedule, you can even opt for Post Graduate and Masters degrees from the comfort of your own home. For example, Simplilearn’s PG and Master programs like Design Thinking & Innovation or MBA come with the perfect combination of self-learning and live classes with flexible dates to help fit right into your busy schedule. They also offer capstone projects and case studies to help you get ready for the real world. With these questions, now choosing the right course is easy and simple.