By Amaka Abayomi

GIVEN the dire straights Nigerian education has found itself in, with no foreseeable improvement, foreign studies have come to the rescue. And running online programmes with foreign varsities has been an opportunity Nigerians’ desire for better and higher education is being met.

Globally, online learning is on the rise. According to a 2013 report by the Babson Survey Research Group, over 6.7 million post-secondary students were enrolled in, at least, one online class in 2011, compared to only 1.6 million in 2002, and higher-education institutions continue to refine and enhance their online curriculum.

Online learning

In 2002, about 72 percent of these schools offered some form of online learning, and that increased to nearly 87 percent in 2012.

Below are some busted myths which have prevented a lot of young Nigerians from pursuing online degree programmes.

Myth #1: Employers don’t value online degrees/certificates

It is falsely believed that employers don’t value online degrees or certificates but the truth is that they do value and are often bound to respect accredited online degrees or certifications. Most respected companies really appreciate their employees taking the initiative of earning degrees online.

According to Joy Mkpocha, employers truly appreciate staff with online degrees, especially those from foreign universities as it translates to the overall growth of the organisation.

She said “the decision to earn an online degree from a reputable university in the Uk is one of the best I made as it earned me a promotion in my workplace and has given me the opportunity to transfer my knowledge to the work challenges.”

Myth #2: Online courses are easier and students don’t receive support while studying

Just like in the regular courses, students engaged in online education will find their instructors to be their first points of contact. Though there will be guides assigned to you to help with your queries, other students can also be reached using the online forums of many college sites.

Also, online students are required to be equally diligent like in any regular course. They need to be highly disciplined and super efficient about time management while studying online because there are deadlines for submission of assignments and examinations.

For Olufemi Akinwale who ran an online degree programme with University of Leicester, England, “it wasn’t easy but I thank God I survived it because the tutors would take their time to read through the assignments and exam and tell you where you made mistakes and what is expected from you. But it paid off at the end because I’m better off knowledge-wise.”

Myth #4: There is no time limit for completion of the course

Accredited online degrees from reputed universities are very much time bound as you are to submit your assignments and projects as at when due without any exception. This goes a long way in teaching you proper time management and keeping to schedules.

Pointing out that running an online programme has made him a stickler for time, Obi Daniels said “before I commenced the programme, I was very bad with keeping time and it nearly cost me a session because I though it was like the Nigerian system whereby you can appeal with the lecturers and they’ll accept late submission of assignments.

“With the online programme, once the assignment platform is closed, it would take the Grace of God and how cogent your reasons are before you’ll be allowed to submit you assignment.”

Myth #5: Quality of online courses is low

If you are enrolled in a reputed institution, online or off it, be rest assured that the quality of education you will receive is the best. Often online environment is an extension of the regular classrooms. You will find experienced faculties to guide you all through.