I have a confession to make. I’m a convert. Years ago, I was one of those online education critics who viewed online education as subpar, something far less engaging than face-to-face classes. After all, I argued, an online class is designed for the generic student, and it can’t be as rigorous, and it lacks the spontaneity of face to face classes. Then I had to step out of my comfort zone and develop and teach an online course. I remained skeptical as I designed the course, but by the end of the first week, I found myself eating crow. I had been wrong, so wrong.

Not only did I find myself enjoying the experience, but the students were learning. Three big benefits jumped out at me:

Tailor Education Experience in Real Time

I predominantly teach online now and I love it. I still enjoy face-to-face teaching as well, but teaching online provides me, as the professor, a unique opportunity to tailor the educational experience to the students in real time (within a few hours or at most a day). For example, while I can support, challenge, or encourage a student to delve deeper in a face-to-face class, in an online learning environment, I can do it with a relevant article or video, which then gives the student time to process and respond. Yes, I can provide the face-to-face students with the same article or video at the next class, but that might be seven days later, when a new topic is on the agenda, when the student is much less likely to read the article or watch the video.

Diversity of Voices

In a face-to-face class, there are always a few students who are quickly raise their hands to speak and share their opinions. While their opinions may be relevant and enlightening, it is also likely there are other voices that are equally as engaging and enlightening that are not being heard. Of course, a good professor seeks out those voices, but even then, some voices are left out. The online format allows even the shyest of students to express their opinions and share their ideas. There is no place for a discussion hog in an online classroom, no one voice dominates over another.

Professor Witnesses the Learning

Learning takes place in and out of the classroom regardless of the delivery format. However, in an online classroom, the faculty member not only witnesses the learning in the discussion board, but can take the time to respond to that learning with supportive comments, suggestions, additional readings, ask to set up a phone call, etc. Sure, the professor will be supportive in face-to-face class as well, but given the fact students are often running to the next class, fear faculty comments, or fear comments being heard by peers, students often bolt for the door. In the online format, space and time ease student concerns and make it easier to start a dialogue. This is especially helpful when the professor sees the student struggling to grasp the material.

There are many other benefits to online learning—flexibility, no commuting, and being able listen to a lecture in one’s PJs (I think undergraduates might do that regardless of the delivery mode). In all seriousness, online learning is not a joke, it isn’t subpar. It is as rigorous as the professor chooses to make it (just like a face-to-face class)—the delivery mode has nothing to do with the degree of challenge. So, don’t be afraid to step into the world of online learning, but just like any class, you will get out of it what you put into it.

Best,