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SunSep 15

National Online Learning Day – September 15, 2024

National Online Learning Day on September 15 celebrates the huge array of learning resources that are available to students online. The internet has revolutionized the learning process and students are thriving in the flexible environment that it offers them. This is a day for raising awareness of all of the resources and courses that are available online and to get people, young or old, investing time in their own education. The internet has a seemingly infinite pool of learning resources so it’s a good time to dwell on what you’d like to learn and see which courses are available to you. Observe the day by finding and researching scholarships or investigating how to get student loans for online colleges.

History of National Online Learning Day

The internet began to swell in popularity in the 1990s and with it we started to see the development of online learning. The first online high school, CompuHigh, was established in 1994. CompuHigh offered year-round enrollment with self-paced studies and was mainly focussed on U.S. students and accreditations. 

As the quality of internet connection improved, so did the online learning tools that were available with webcams and multimedia resources being utilized more often. Between 2002 and 2005, the number of K-12 students enrolled in online distance learning of some sort increased by 65%. The birth of the virtual classroom provided qualified teachers with the opportunity to communicate with and give instructions or feedback to students in an interactive environment. Virtual classrooms have become increasingly sophisticated and are now able to provide learning environments that replicate those of the traditional physical classroom. 

The increased flexibility and ease of communication has meant that online learning courses have increased in popularity year on year throughout the 21st century. By 2015 there were an estimated 6 million students participating in at least one online learning course. National Online Learning Day was established in 2016 and has been observed on September 15 every year since.

National Online Learning Day timeline

1969
Getting Connected

Arpanet, a network that many see as our first steps towards the internet as we know it, is connected to computers at Stanford and UCLA.

1994
CompuHigh

CompuHigh, the world’s first online high school, is established.

2016
The First Celebration

The first National Online Learning Day is celebrated. The day has been observed on September 15 every year since.

2020
A Global Pandemic

The global COVID-19 pandemic led to school closures throughout the world. This meant that more students than ever were actively learning online.

National Online Learning Day - Survey Results

National Online Learning Day FAQs

What are the benefits of online learning?

The benefits of online learning include but are not limited to flexibility, access to expertise, reduced cost, and networking opportunities. 

Why do people study online?

There are numerous different reasons why people choose to study online and if often depends on the individual. Some of the main reasons are flexibility, convenience, and reduced cost.

Where can I get help with my homework?

Brainly is a great resource for this as it connects you with subject experts who will be able to offer guidance. 

National Online Learning Day Activities

  1. Sign up for a course

    There is no more apt way to celebrate National Online Learning Day than by signing up for a new course. In what area would you like to develop yourself further? There’s no time like the present.

  2. Post about your online learning experience

    Encourage others to partake in online learning by posting about your own experience. Hearing your story could inspire someone else to learn something new and change their life for the better.

  3. Connect with fellow learners

    If you’re already learning online, then why not connect with other students via Brainly? Brainly is kind of like one giant study group. It’s a platform that is full of subject experts and likeminded students who are all looking to help one another out.

5 Great Online Learning Resources

  1. Brainly

    Brainly is the world’s largest online learning community. It’s a homework help platform that connects students and parents to peers and subject matter experts. If you’re stuck or want some learning guidance, this is the place to be. The site essentially acts as the online equivalent of a real-life study group.

  2. Coursera

    Coursera partners with many different universities to bring a wide range of online courses, all of which are free. It’s great if you have numerous different topics you want to learn about.

  3. CodeCademy

    Codeacademy is an online interactive platform that offers free coding classes in 12 different programming languages. If you want to learn how to code then there is no better place.

  4. TED-Ed

    The TEd-Ed website hosts a huge batch of educational videos, many of which come with supplemental materials and quizzes to test your learning. They make learning fun.

  5. Memrise

    This free app is particularly useful if you’re trying to learn another language. They use games to mix learning and entertainment and also make good use of user-generated content.

Why We Love National Online Learning Day

  1. The internet has changed learning

    Learning a new subject or skill has never been easier. There is a huge volume of resources available online so if you have the desire to learn then there is very little stopping you.

  2. Learning is good for you

    It has been proven that learning is good for your mental health and can have a positive impact on your wellbeing. Not only will you become a more knowledgeable person, but you’ll be healthier too.

  3. Learning is fun

    Learning is fun, especially if you choose a subject that interests you. What do you enjoy doing? Maybe there is a course in that area waiting for you.

National Online Learning Day dates

YearDateDay
2024September 15Sunday
2025September 15Monday
2026September 15Tuesday
2027September 15Wednesday
2028September 15Friday

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