When comparing reasons for choosing online vs. on-campus learning options, a 2019 Online Education Trends Report by Best Colleges found that existing commitments don’t allow for attendance in campus-based courses, in addition 59% of students surveyed have children and half reported that they are employed. This survey, combined with recent results from the eCampus NZ 2018 survey that 73 percent of online learners are female, paints a compelling picture – most online learners are women, with children, who work.
The reasons why online learning works so well for women, particularly those who are parents, are simple. It is flexible. It provides the ability to study anytime and anywhere. You can study at your own pace. And there is no commitment required to adhere to a strict classroom timetable. It’s all about fitting learning to the lifestyle and this is the void that online learning fills.
Jo Miles, Sales & Business Development Manager at eCampus NZ, says the overwhelming feedback from many women who complete study with eCampus NZ is that it has enabled them to complete their learning goals and has put them one step closer to their career ambitions.
“We are very proud that in our short three years in operation we have delivered online learning to an exceptional number of female learners in New Zealand. The rise in popularity of women completing online learning is about them gaining the skills and qualifications they need to earn their position of choice. With our tutor’s available day and night and a platform designed around making learning easy outside of office hours, eCampus NZ is sometimes the only route for women juggling family, work and career aspirations,” said Miles.
With a growing number of courses in a multitude of disciplines now available, the growth of online learning is only on the up. In fact, a recent forbes.com article suggests that the worldwide e-learning market is projected to grow to $325 billion by 2025. eCampus NZ, an online learning platform delivered by several of New Zealand’s major tertiary education providers is seeing this growth first-hand – From 2017 to 2018 the numbers of learners starting with eCampus NZ increased by 175%. Next month, eCampus NZ is launching new short courses, in addition to their range of courses already on offer.
Jo Miles says this will provide even greater opportunity for women to learn and gain knowledge in their chosen field and industry.
“From administration, to project management, right through to tertiary teaching– the online learning options with eCampus NZ are endless. We are a trusted online learning provider that delivers industry recognised, NZQA accredited and internationally accepted qualifications. This means our learners leave us with the skills and credentials needed to put them in good stead when it comes to getting back into the workforce after having children or when they are ready to move up the corporate ladder.”