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Taking courses online can be an extremely convenient option, especially for those who are already working, located remotely, or looking to upgrade their skills alongside their career. If you’re interested in entering or advancing within the technical design industry, you’ll have a range of courses to choose from, and many will be MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). While MOOCs have increased in popularity in recent years, these courses can be difficult for students to stay engaged and motivated. The reason for this? It often comes down to the lack of interaction between students and instructors. 

Student/instructor interaction is crucial for the success of students, both in terms of retention of information and motivation to continue completing the course. Below is more about the value of student/instructor interaction and how Digital School enhances the student experience by making student/instructor interaction a priority. The moment when you realize the value of face-to-face time with instructors, you’ll understand why it’s so important to enroll in a program that offers this aspect to learners. 

Lack of Interaction May Increase Dropout Rates

As a student considering an online design college, it’s important to be aware that student/instructor interaction is not only more enjoyable for students, it can actually reduce dropout rates in a class. A study from the Open Computer Science journal found that the dropout rate in MOOCs sat between 91% and 93%, an astounding proportion of students. This rate was largely attributed to students feeling unnoticed and unacknowledged by their instructors throughout the course, due to the lack of face-to-face collaboration. 

When it comes to training for a career in technical design, you’ll want to be sure that you have the resources and hands-on support that you need to succeed. Since it can be easy to feel discouraged in a large online classroom, it’s important to choose a program which offers personalized attention and a chance to build relationships.

It’s important to have interaction with instructors during online technical design courses

It’s important to have interaction with instructors during online technical design courses

Face-to-Face Time with Instructors Improves Comprehension

At Digital School, our technical design courses facilitate instructor/student interaction in a few ways. For one, throughout the completion of the curriculum, students have access to Subject Matter Expert Support, where industry subject matter experts (such as Autodesk certified professionals) are available to connect through virtual one-on-one meetings, email, or live chat. Students can ask questions about a problem they’re having, or receive guidance on a project and more, all from the comfort of their own home and on their own timeline. The availability of industry subject matter experts ensures that students are never unable to progress in their courses due to confusion. What’s more, this supportive environment is crucial to keeping students engaged, and improving their comprehension of the material. 

In an Online Design College, Instructor Interaction Enhances Motivation

When students receive expert support at Digital School, they’re also more likely to stay motivated to complete the course. Subject matter experts are invested in each student’s goals and will work with them to devise a path to achieving them. As a student at Digital School, you’ll always be able to consult with industry experts on setting goals during the program, including the career you’d like to pursue, subjects you’d like to master, and the timeline within which you’d like to complete the course. 

When you have support from instructors who want you to succeed and can help you get there, you’ll be more likely to stay motivated throughout the course and reach your goals. Given the importance of instructor interaction, it’s crucial to find a technical design program that recognizes its value.

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