It’s Time To Expect More From Online Learning
The human experience is shaped by three enduring truths: our innate drive to secure resources to meet our needs, our deep-seated need to connect and communicate with others, and our natural curiosity and desire to learn.
With the rise of technology and the internet, each of these innate human needs can now be fulfilled digitally. We can acquire nearly anything from the comfort of our couch through platforms like Amazon, communicate instantly using apps like Messenger and WhatsApp—even face-to-face via video calls—and attend school virtually through platforms like Khan Academy, without ever stepping into a classroom.
When these needs first began to be addressed online, there was cautious adoption by a few but widespread skepticism from critics who viewed the shift to digital as dehumanizing. Common sentiments included:
Online shopping can never replace the in-store experience.
Communicating online will never match the connection of being in person.
The gold standard will always be in-classroom learning.
In the beginning, the primary appeal was convenience. However, as time went on, convenience alone was no longer sufficient.
From Convenience to An Experience
When e-commerce first emerged, it offered a simple, one-dimensional experience. While convenient, it was essentially a digital version of the same catalog you might receive in the mail. Today, e-commerce has become far more immersive and interactive. Shoppers can virtually try on items, read reviews from other customers, chat with service representatives, view products from multiple angles, and even build personalized wardrobes that remember their preferences. Entirely online brands like Dollar Shave Club, Glossier, and Warby Parker have demonstrated that it's possible to become multimillion-dollar successes without ever opening a physical store.
Social media has followed a similar evolution. It began with basic, text-based chat boards like CompuServe but has transformed into platforms that enable rich, emotive, and highly contextual communication. Modern social media platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook have introduced features such as photos, emojis, and augmented reality lenses, making digital interactions feel more personal and engaging.
These industries learned that convenience alone isn’t enough to sustain success. Those that failed to adapt—like Sears, Blockbuster, Friendster, and MySpace—faded into irrelevance. As consumers, we gravitated toward companies that prioritized delivering an exceptional and engaging experience over merely offering convenience.
It’s time to do the same in online education. We should expect more.
Current And Future State of Online Education
In its early stages, online learning offered a convenient way to access educational materials digitally while managing administrative tasks like attendance, quizzes, and grading.
However, think back to the most impactful educational experiences of your life. They were likely more than just the transfer of knowledge—they were inspiring, communal, and intellectually engaging. These experiences shaped your critical thinking, exposed you to diverse perspectives, helped you build a network, and taught you how to express your ideas effectively.
Unfortunately, according to a recent study by the SERU Consortium, self-directed online courses have a dismal completion rate of just 5-15%. The primary reason cited? A lack of motivation stemming from a passive and isolating experience.
Just as we’ve seen in e-commerce and social media, the end user’s experience is crucial.
It’s time for digital education to evolve, because the stakes are much higher. The societal impact of failing to get online education right far outweighs the consequences of a poor e-commerce experience.
As an industry, we should refuse to accept that passive, isolated learning with minimal interaction from peers or instructors is an unavoidable consequence of learning online.
Together, we can deliver on the promise of online education, consistent with what has always been true: We learn better when we learn together.
About Honor
We envision a world in which all people can collectively learn anywhere, anytime in an environment that fosters creative and critical thinking, community, and citizenry.
Our platform serves partners across the higher education, nonprofit, and corporate sectors to put human connection at the center of their online learning experience, resulting in increased comprehension, connection, and retention.
Contact us here and a member of the team will be in touch today.
