Years ago it was up to the parents to raise their children. Over time, this evolved into classroom learning. Since then, education has been essentially the same…

Until the birth of, wait for it, the Internet!

Yes, the internet has made huge waves in education and technology. And with today's tsunami-like technological advances, it continues to improve the classroom.

1. Say Bye-Bye to the Library

Long gone are the days of sifting through dusty old books and lugging around a hefty satchel. Most students carry smart devices and do most of their work without pencils and paper. Having accurate and up-to-date information at the touch of a screen is super convenient for both students and the rest of us.

In fact, the average internet user performs 3-4 Google searches per day. How many more times does a student check Google for research purposes?

Now, instead of spending time teaching students how to search for information, teachers are teaching them how to sift through the wealth of information online.

2. Techie Teachers

It's not just students who benefit from online education. Teachers, schools and universities see many benefits of using technology to improve teaching. Some schools even provide each student with a laptop or tablet.

Teachers use online videos and other media elements in their lectures. Some create their own digital content such as animations, memes and videos. Some teachers even organize live meetings with educators from around the world.

For example, students learning about the Arctic in a rural US town can watch a live Arctic expedition by scientists. From reading blog posts and watching videos to submitting questions and contacting the team via webcam, students are unlikely to forget what they've learned in lessons like these.

This blend of traditional lectures with online content offers the best of both worlds.

3. Lots of opportunities

One of the huge ways the internet has changed education is that now students don't technically have to go to school to get an education. From online bootcamps to university degrees, you can get legitimate qualifications. This is great news for older students whose life got in the way of a university education when they were younger.

Some courses are free, others require payment. But since there are no bricks and mortars, it is definitely cheaper to do an online course. Either way, the opportunities are endless for people of all ages and backgrounds.

4. Keeping in touch

Before the Internet, communication was mainly limited to classes and study groups. If students had questions or fell behind on coursework, they had to wait until the next session. However, now students and teachers can continue this communication through social networks.

Students and teachers can use social media platforms like Facebook to connect with each other. They can collaborate in online discussions, ask questions in forums, and link to online textbooks. It's the perfect way to keep students engaged when they're not in the classroom.

5. Increased flexibility

Online education is very popular because of its flexibility. A traditional classroom requires a fixed schedule and permanent location. People who work full-time or have children to care for miss out on opportunities because of their lifestyle.

Now students can learn from anywhere and anytime. Whether it's at home, during a lunch break at the office, or sitting in the car waiting for the kids to finish school, all they need is an internet connection.

6. The world at your door

Because you can connect with anyone in the world, students can enroll in other countries. This provides great opportunities for those who are geographically isolated or disadvantaged. It also gives homeschooled children the opportunity to access structured online lessons.

This is very convenient if you are learning a language. If your online teacher lives in the region where the language is from, their teaching skills should be better. And all this without leaving the comfort of your home!

7. No excuses for missing homework

What happens when students forget their homework? He either has to fall at the mercy of his teacher or call home to an angry parent to ask them to bring it. Either way, it's not a good situation.

Homework assignments today are usually submitted as an email attachment, a shared document, or via an online bulletin board. And if you need a hard copy, you can log into the cloud and print it. It's that easy.

Now no one can use the age-old "the dog ate my homework" excuse!

8. Ongoing training

Online learning platforms are ideal for those who want to deepen their knowledge in the field in which they are currently working.

For example, if there is a legal requirement for an engineer to update their licence, a PDH Pro online course may be all they need to familiarize themselves with the current legislation.

9. Students love it

The connection of the Internet and education is a welcome change for students today. In fact, in 2016, 6.3 million students took at least one online class. And the number is still rising.

Many students feel that online learning gives them the opportunity to learn at their own pace. This relieves the pressure many students face in the classroom.

10. Teachers love it too!

In the early days of online learning, employers and educators looked at courses over the Internet. But now, more than 77% of academic leaders believe that online learning is equal to or better than traditional classroom learning.

This has led to respected colleges and schools using online courses to enrich their training programs. Some courses and degrees are now only available as an online diploma.