What Are the Different Types of Online Learning Resources?

As online learning and distance education increases in popularity, there are numerous websites offering online learning resources to make the process easier and more beneficial. These include resources for both the students and the instructors of online learning courses, in everything from additional instructional materials to helpful curriculum samples to assist instructors in designing their courses. Many of these online learning resources are available for free online, or for a small fee. Even students who are not enrolled in online classes can sometimes make use of these resources simply for personal enrichment.

Some of the most common types of online learning resources, that may be beneficial for students or simply those interested in the topic, include recorded lectures from various universities. These free lectures are often put up on websites that may be accessed by anyone who is interested. They can be very beneficial to those students who are in similar classes and who are having trouble understanding the material, for example. Published articles or free seminars are often also available online, and these can also be very helpful to students studying these topics.

Other online learning resources may include lecture notes or study guides for certain topics, as well as general reference materials such a grammar guides, or formatting guidelines. These are often created by instructors or schools, and then made available to students. Again, for students struggling with a certain topic, these can be invaluable. In addition, some individuals are now offering online tutoring services to students. These are typically not free, but they do offer an opportunity to work one on one with an individual who is an expert in that field. It is just important to verify the tutor's credentials and make sure that he or she knows what he's talking about, particularly if face to face interactions will never occur.

In addition to the online learning resources available for students, there is a plethora of information available for instructors as well. Other instructors will often post outlines or examples from their own courses, or share tips about what worked and what didn't as part of their experiences with online education. Teaching strategies and assessment strategies, the two things that are most unique when comparing online education to traditional education, are shared on many different websites. For anyone involved in any aspect of online education, whether as a student, instructor, or simply someone interested in learning more about a chosen topic, the amount of online learning resources available can make this process much easier.