Please review my IELTS Task 2 essay

Topic: Some universities offer online courses as an alternative to classses delivered on campus. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

My answer:

Over the past few decades, due to technological advances, online courses have seen a drammatic rise to meet the growing needs of learners. While some may argue that this way of learning can have a negative effect on students, I strongly believe that it is truly benefical for students to take online courses for the following grounds.

Financially, there is no doubt that online courses are considered an excellent opportunity for students to cut down on fees paying to universities. For example, universities might utilize recorded lessons for several times, so they can reduce a considerable amount of money that is paid for professors. In addition, learners do not have to spend money on accommodation, food, transportation and other on-campus services that are surely a burden on full – time students. Finally, learning online gives people a helping hand to earn a living since they do not go to universities in the daytime. For these reasons, obtaining knowledge and skills on the internet is crucial for people when it comes to financial benefits.

In terms of self – improvements, it is commonly believed that students are likely to enhance the ability of self – study which is indispensable their future life. In fact, studying online requires learners to make a real effort to adapt to the requirements of tasks assigned by lecturers. They have to search information and try to tackle the problems they encounter by themselves during study process. Furthermore, whenever students have difficulties they have to ask for assistance from their professors or peers. As a result, they become more active to obtain their goals. If learners attend courses given directly by teachers, they could be more passive in that they could get direct help. This can limit their self – study ability in the long term.

Opponents of studying online hold the view that students may find it difficult to boost their interpersonal skills when taking online courses on account of lacking of interaction. However, such arguments are inconclusive. It is generally believed that not only does those skills come from meeting with others, but they are also enhanced by other means of communication. For instance, in the age of information technology, online courses are supported by online chats, webinars by which students can communicate with one another and with their professors effectively.

In sum, although online courses certainly have some drawbacks, the benefits outweigh them in the long term. As mentioned above, they are money – saving and provide students with the opportunity to reinforce their independence on study.