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| Photo: The Hindu |
Sruthy Natarajan (10) lives in Singapore and takes singing lessons in Chennai three times a week without having to leave her room. A little over a decade ago, this would have seemed far-fetched but thanks to high speed Internet connections, the old rules about mutually exclusive life choices no longer apply. A sales executive with no writing experience doesn't need to give up his fantasy of becoming a novelist, and a techie who's relocating to California can continue her violin classes in Mylapore.
Varying cost
Online modules on everything from creative writing to the performing arts are available at a click and the cost ranges from zero to expensive depending on what you're hoping to accomplish. While some of these programmes are fixed, with virtual classrooms and homework, and result in a degree being awarded at the end of the course, others involve private tutors giving customised lessons. A third kind and perhaps the most recent is P2P or peer-to-peer education that is provided free of cost by instructors who want to hone their teaching skills.
In a society that's yet to warm to the concept of a gap year at any life stage, e-learning is a great way to pursue a dream without letting go of conventional paths — all it takes is a steady broadband connection, and an eye on the prize.
BEFORE YOU SIGN UP WITH AN EDUCATION PORTAL
• Determine the primary goal – is it to acquire a new skill, supplement your résumé with a formal degree or explore an alternative career?
• Reputation of the host university or organisation, reviews from alumni
• Course fee (if any) and time commitment including follow-up work, for programmes with fixed durations
• Features like flexi-time and self-paced learning
Read more...
Source: The Hindu
