When we think about online education, we often think back to COVID and the only learning available to our youth was online through our local schools, or the ads for all the online Universities we see. However, there are a variety of online learning offerings available for youth and adults that can complement classroom lessons, teach digital, soft, and hard skills to improve job performance; help start a new career; introduce a new hobby; or expand opportunities for lifelong learning.

Online education allows you to learn on your schedule and balance the responsibilities of work, family, and other activities. For young people it allows them to balance schoolwork with sports, music, spending time with friends and other extracurricular activities. Online learning lets education fit into life and not force fitting life into learning.

Online learning allows you to access courses and training from institutions across the country and around the world. This is especially important for those that might be limited by residing in remote areas or with limited transportation options. Many platforms offer accommodations for learners with disabilities, ensuring that everyone can participate.

Modern online learning platforms have moved on from lectures to using multimedia tools and interactive elements such as discussion forums, quizzes, and virtual simulations to make learning engaging and fun. The interactive style of courses not only helps people stay interested but helps to build a sense of community with your fellow students. Using these new online methods enhances learning and allows you to build relationships and expand your professional network. These connections can lead to mentorships, new collaborations outside of the classroom, and even job prospects.

Online education allows you to learn at your own pace and tailor your educational experience to meet your needs. Personalized learning paths allow you to focus on areas where you need improvement and move through subjects you’ve already mastered. Customizing your learning path on subjects helps keep you motivated and engaged.

Online learning is also affordable. Cost for course work that can lead to a degree can be less than a traditional college and eliminates the cost for commuting, rent or residence fees, and other expenses. There are also free classes available and platforms such as Khan Academy, Coursera, edX, and others that offer a variety of content at no or low cost.

Online learning helps promote the idea of being a lifelong learner. You can stay relevant in your current career, learn new skills, or just learn about something you are interested in. For kids, it can help prepare them for a future career by allowing them to learn more about coding and other digital skills that will be important in today’s digital world. Online courses in many cases emphasize hands-on, practical, real-world learning experiences that better prepare people for their jobs or future careers. Platforms such as FutureLearn and Skillshare are great for finding courses that inspire lifelong learning. 

While online learning provides an opportunity to continue to learn while working, consideration must still be given to balancing work, family, and other obligations with your learning experience. Make sure to not to take on an online learning workload which does not allow time to take care of your family, your job, and yourself. For young people, parents will also need to work with their kids to balance their screen time with school, extracurricular activities, friends, and family. While there is benefit to online learning, there needs to be time to take care of yourself and your responsibilities both mentally and physically to avoid burning out and stay motivated to continue your online learning experience.

Sites for online learning/More information:

The Best Online Learning Services for 2025 – PCMag – https://www.pcmag.com/picks/best-online-learning-services

Khan Academy – https://www.khanacademy.org/

Coursera –https://www.coursera.org/

edX – https://www.edx.org/

FutureLearn – https://www.futurelearn.com/

Skillshare – https://www.skillshare.com/en/

Code.org – https://code.org/

Udemy – https://www.udemy.com/

Masterclass – https://www.masterclass.com/

Digital Skills Library – https://digitalskillslibrary.org

Denver Public Library – https://denverlibrary.org/techclasses

Skillbase – Harvard – https://skillbase.hks.harvard.edu/view-all-resources