Innovation in the COVID-19 Era: Online Education

By John Koehler April 22, 2021

 

Learning to Think Outside the Box, Even in Difficult Times

 

COVID-19 changed the world as we knew it in 2020. And it’s likely to continue having an impact for months, years, or even decades to come. As a current or future student, there’s no doubt that you’ve experienced shifts in your day-to-day life, but what about your long-term goals and aspirations?

Let’s take a look at some of the industries that have adapted to the global pandemic, finding innovation and growth during difficult times. Also, how you can adapt yourself and further your education with one of UA Grantham’s 100% online degree programs.

 

Online Service Providers

 

How often did you order your groceries online in 2019? What about using restaurant delivery services instead of going out to eat? How often did you take virtual fitness classes, mix your own cocktails, or attend a telehealth appointment? It almost feels impossible now to imagine life without many of these alternatives to in-person errands and gatherings!

Food delivery services like Grubhub and DoorDash—as well as providers like Instacart and Blue Apron—have become ubiquitous. Liquor sales have seen sharp increases as bars closed or became unsafe to visit. Instead of going out, people are turning to video chat functionality to have their own cocktail hours on the couch. Peloton has tapped into the desire for superior fitness equipment and workouts right from your living room, and it’s seeing surging stock prices as a result.

And now that these options have become a regular part of our lives, they’re unlikely to go anywhere. In fact, in addition to offering convenience and time savings for many, they’ve also made it much easier for those with physical disabilities, sensory sensitivities, and other needs to safely get what they need or to connect with those outside their household.

Innovative Opportunities: Online degree programs through the College of Business, Management and Economics can help you prepare for leadership, entrepreneurship, management, and business administration roles within companies that are making a real difference in their customers’ lives.

 

The Work-from-Home Revolution

 

The ability to work remotely is not a new innovation by any means. But where working from home might have once been reserved for special circumstances or temporary situations, even in the earliest days of 2020, today it is the norm for millions. And it’s likely to stay that way for many of them.

Companies like Zoom, in particular, saw the need for people to communicate in new ways—particularly in work environments—and seized the chance to become an indispensable resource in the face of the shutdowns. Technology has made it possible to get things done and conduct business without needing to be tethered to any specific location (or even any time zone).

With the trend toward work-from-home, you may find that opportunities have expanded: It’s less likely that relocation will be required for many types of jobs and will make it easier to navigate the complexities of modern life, from childcare and family responsibilities to continuing education, travel, and more.

Plus, it reminds us to think outside the box! A 9-to-5 schedule in the company office may have long been the standard for many professional workers, but companies are finding that shaking up those requirements has often led to increased productivity and lower overhead expenses.

Innovative Opportunities: Don’t limit yourself to assumptions regarding educational possibilities! UA Grantham offers online associate degree and online certificate program options that allow busy students to pursue postsecondary programs in a shorter timeframe.

 

Joining the Virtual Classroom

 

Just like work-from-home capabilities, online learning isn’t a brand-new option. Still, it’s never been more prevalent than it has become over the past year—including for postsecondary students.

Schools and universities around the world adjusted to stay-at-home orders and other restrictions in record time to make their courses accessible from home. This offered students flexibility they’d never before enjoyed: Eliminating the commute to and from campus saved time (and also stress). The ability to participate in coursework from home cut childcare costs. Asynchronous learning freed up their calendar from structured course scheduling.

At UA Grantham, of course, we didn’t have to scramble to put our coursework and student services online; they were already there! What does this mean for students like you? You can rest assured that you’re getting one of the strongest 100% online degree programs out there because Grantham has been a leader in distance education for decades.

Innovative Opportunities: Check out the more than 40 undergraduate and graduate online degree programs offered by UA Grantham and learn how furthering your education can help you hone your skills or for what's next.

 

Looking Toward the Future

 

While it’s likely that many of these COVID-related changes in our behavior will even out a bit once the virus isn’t informing all of our daily decision-making, we also know that we won’t see a complete return to pre-pandemic life.

Now is the perfect time to reconsider what's next —and to invest in your education to help you reach your goals. UA Grantham is eager to help you find success in your coursework. Contact us today to find out how to get started!

About the Author

John Koehler
John Koehler is a senior marketing specialist on University of Arkansas Grantham's marketing operations team. John is passionate about enabling education opportunities and a positive experience for prospective students. John holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a concentration in Marketing from Rockhurst University.
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