Why I Hate Online Learning (But Keep Doing It)
Look, I’m gonna be honest here. I’ve been in this education racket for over 20 years, and I’ve seen it all. The good, the bad, the ugly. And honestly? Online learning is a mess. But it’s our mess now, so let’s talk about it.
Back in 2001, when I was editing for Educational Horizons magazine, online learning was this shiny new thing. Remember when it was called ‘distance learning’? Yeah, good times. I remember sitting in a conference in Austin, listening to some guy named—let’s call him Marcus—prattling on about how the internet was gonna revolutionize education. I rolled my eyes so hard I think I sprained something.
Fast forward to 2023, and here we are. Online learning is everywhere. It’s not just for tech geeks and night school students anymore. It’s for everyone. And frankly, it’s a disaster. But also, kinda not. It’s complicated.
My Biggest Pet Peeve: The Illusion of Accessibility
People love to talk about how online learning makes education accessible. And yeah, sure, I guess it does. But let’s not pretend it’s some magical solution. I mean, have you tried taking an online course lately? It’s like trying to drink from a firehose while riding a unicycle. Overwhelming, unbalanced, and you’re probably gonna fall off.
About three months ago, I decided to take an online course on data analysis. I thought, ‘Hey, how hard can it be?’ Spoiler alert: it’s hard. Really hard. I spent 36 hours watching videos, reading articles, and doing exercises. And at the end? I still felt like I had no clue what I was doing. But hey, at least I got a certificate, right?
I complained about this to my friend Sarah over coffee at the place on 5th. She’s a high school teacher, and she just laughed. ‘You’re a grown adult with a PhD, and you’re struggling,’ she said. ‘What hope do our students have?’ Which… yeah. Fair enough.
The Good Stuff (Yes, There Is Some)
Okay, okay, I’ll admit it. Online learning isn’t all bad. There are some legit benefits. For one, it’s flexible. You can learn at your own pace, on your own schedule. Which is great if you’re a night owl like me. I do my best work at 11:30pm, and online courses don’t judge me for that.
Plus, there are alot of helpful resources online guide out there. Seriously, the internet is a treasure trove of information. You can find courses on pretty much anything, from quantum physics to knitting. And if you’re lucky, you might even find a good one. I mean, I guess.
But here’s the thing: not all online courses are created equal. Some are fantastic. Some are completley useless. And honestly, it’s hard to tell the difference until you’re already knee-deep in it. I once took a course on writing that was basically just a series of poorly written blog posts. I felt like I’d wasted my time and money. But then I took another course on editing that was so good, it changed the way I work. It’s a gamble, you know?
A Tangent: The Physicaly of Learning
Now, I’m gonna go off on a tangent here, but stick with me. One of the things I miss about traditional learning is the physicaly aspect. Sitting in a classroom, holding a textbook, taking notes on paper. There’s something about the tactile experience that I think is important. And honestly, I’m not sure how to replicate that online.
I was talking about this with a colleague named Dave the other day. He’s a big proponent of online learning, but even he admitted that there’s something missing. ‘It’s the human connection,’ he said. ‘You can’t replicate that in an online course.’ And I think he’s right. There’s a reason why people still go to concerts, to theaters, to sporting events. We crave that human connection. And online learning? It’s lacking.
The Future of Online Learning
So, what’s next for online learning? I’m not sure, honestly. I think it’s gonna keep growing, keep evolving. But I also think it’s gonna keep being a mess. And that’s okay. Because education has always been a bit of a mess. It’s how we learn, how we grow. And if online learning is part of that, then so be it.
But here’s my hope: I hope we start treating online learning like the serious thing it is. I hope we stop pretending it’s some magical solution and start addressing its flaws. I hope we start talking about the real issues, like accessibility, quality, and the lack of human connection.
And maybe, just maybe, we can make it a little less messy.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Linda Thompson. I’ve been a senior editor for over 20 years, working with major publications and covering everything from education to technology. I’m passionate about learning, but I’m also a realist. I know the system isn’t perfect, and I’m not afraid to call it out. When I’m not editing, you can find me reading, writing, or complaining about the state of online education.
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