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Are online courses that incorporate 'Based Learning' seeing higher enrollment rates and completion rates compared to traditional online courses?

Zaire Sturman

Hey there!

That's actually a really interesting question you posed. As someone who has taken both traditional online courses and ones that incorporate "Based Learning," I would say that enrollment and completion rates are definitely higher with the latter.

For those who are unfamiliar, "Based Learning" refers to a type of online education that focuses on real-world scenarios and case studies. The idea is that students are presented with actual problems that professionals face in their jobs, and then tasked with finding solutions utilizing knowledge they've learned in their coursework. I think this approach is more engaging for students, because it allows them to see the practical application of what they are learning.

There are a few reasons why I think this approach leads to higher enrollment and completion rates. For starters, as I mentioned, I think it's just more interesting for students to learn in a way that feels relevant to their future careers. Knowing that they are practicing skills they will actually use in their professional lives can be a motivating factor.

Additionally, I think that "Based Learning" courses also tend to offer more support for students. In traditional online courses, it's easy to feel like you're on your own. But with "Based Learning," the focus is often on collaboration and teamwork. Students are encouraged to work together and to seek help from one another. This creates a sense of community within the course that can be really beneficial.

Finally, I suspect that the overall quality of "Based Learning" courses might be higher. Because the focus is on practical applications, instructors are often more invested in creating coursework that is truly engaging and meaningful for students. This can translate to better teaching and more effective learning.

Of course, these are just my observations based on my personal experience. I'm sure there are plenty of factors that contribute to enrollment and completion rates in online courses. But based on what I've seen, I would definitely say that "Based Learning" is a promising approach that seems to resonate with students.