From apps that teach you languages in your spare time to online seminars to full college degrees you can obtain virtually, technology has had an enormous impact on both formal and informal education in the past decade. Even if you are learning about something offline, there are many online resources that can enhance that knowledge. Technology also makes it easier than ever to research schools, apply for student loans and learn more about the field of study that interests you.
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Learn About Schools
Online, it’s easy to find out what various schools have to offer, what the research focus of various professors is, what students think of their classes and more. There’s no substitute for a campus visit, but most people can’t spend the time and money to visit multiple campuses or even one in many cases. Many schools now offer virtual tours. Even if they do not have tours online, most college usually have a wealth of information about their offerings on their websites.
Paying for College
The paper version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which helps determine what government assistance you are eligible for, can now be completed online with skip technology that takes you much more quickly through the form and only to relevant questions. Some people may not qualify for federal aid or the aid offered may not be enough, and they can benefit from the ease with which they can research, apply and get quick response from private student loan companies. These are all significant changes from the days when the only options were to visit your local bank or credit union although these are still possibilities as well.
Learn About Careers
Do you think you might want to become an astronomer, epidemiologist, archeologist, a professor of medieval history, a financial planner or one of many other career possibilities? Once upon a time, in learning about these careers, you might be limited to reading a few magazine articles or books and doing informational interviews. Today, you have unprecedented access to professionals. You can follow people in these fields on social media, listen to podcasts they produce and ask them questions directly. This can be an enormous help in determining what career path to follow.
Supplement Your Learning
Do you need to review foreign verb tenses, or did you attend a lecture that you didn’t quite get and feel another explanation from someone different would help? Do you need a review of a foundational subject before you take a more advanced class? Do you just want to learn more about a topic your textbook barely touched on? You can learn practical hands-on skills as well, from car repair to DIY house renovation and more. Apps, videos, games and online course can provide the resources you need to supplement the classes you are taking, and in some cases, they can replace taking a class altogether. Whether you want to use your laptop at home or brush up while on the go with your phone or tablet, there are websites and apps that can teach you what you need to know.
