In my experience, online courses vary greatly.  Some are wonderful, others are only worth it because you're in your PJs with a tasty beverage.  The California Assoc. of Realtors and NAR have some free classes.  I started taking one of CAR's for my continuing education requirement and it was painful, to say the least and not something I'd recommend.  Anytime you're forced to stay on a screen for X amount of time, is not ok with me.

In the corporate world, I've demo'd LMS systems for online learning, I've even created some courses and I've taken many.  It is not the way I prefer to learn a complex subject, but for simple "checkbox" courses (getting everyone to complete a security or ethics training, for example), they are good.

In the past, I have used online courses for continuing education at times.  Each person learns in a different way.  What is good for one may not be as favorably received by another.  Even the same person may experience different results over time.  It's good to have options.  

Yes I have PropertyMinder (AccelerAgent) . Living in a rural State the nearest classroom is 250 miles away so most North Dakota Realtors are forced to take classes on line to stay current on our credits. The State does a good job of screening legitimate companies and dumping ones that fail to give the quality we deserve. That being said I must say that there have been ones I've avoided that have been approved by the State. All in all I've liked the on-line learning experience BUT I would rather attend in person if possible.

I earned many designations online.... if you can learn one new thing, it's worth the time and money.... there something to learn no matter what course you take or how long you've been in the business....

Online courses offer convenience not attainable with normal classes. That said, like the classroom the quality of the instructor is important 

It depends on the course and who offers it.  Some are great and serve a purpose and others are worthless ...even the "free" ones. 

I think that classroom learning is pretty important for new agents. . . HOWEVER my last 2 CCIM classes were 'online live instructor led' which was awesome - you got immediate feedback if questions, and you're dealing with humans (teacher and classmates) which contributes to the learning experience.
ALSO, my favorite RE Attorney who used to work on our Legal Hotline does live remote classes that are held at our board office and other board offices as well, so classmates all over the state. Also great!

AND, the gal who taught my broker's hours wrote a program called the Arizona 500  . . . it is a study test that pops up the Arizona Revised Statute that answers each of the questions . . . EXCEPTIONAL.

She is now on the State Advisory Council and her program is being used by CE schools statewide . . .

I truly feel that RE education should be a mix of online and classroom . . . although it is very wonderful to blow out the 33 hours I'm due for pretty soon, in PJs while doing laundry! LOL

I have done some online courses here and there specially when I have to renew my FL real estate license. 

It's convenient and it's a big advantage in today's world.  

MOst of our Realtor classes have an online option.

Yes I like them. Will I recommend them like for a new agent? Probably not. I'm sure that in classroom would be better for the nuances in certain things.

Once you got it down, it's great to review or update a law. I do all my continuing ed that way.

I have only used online courses for initial training.  My CE credits I get through classroom or conference settings.  I much more enjoy the interactive environment in a live instructor.

I have taken numerous online courses over the years...CEs, sales post license, designations, etc. The value varies greatly depending on the course provider as some are better than others. 

I always take classroom training for licensing, did so for my both mortgage broker license and real estate licenses. In my opinion, it should be mandatory to take the pre-license/licensing in a classroom for the interaction both with the instructor and other students.

One notable exception was a NAR certification class that I took in the classroom years ago. The instructor was the worst ever, basically just read the book to us and blew off anyone who asked a question.

There were 30+/- of us in the class, some in real estate for 20-30 years and many did not pass the EOC exam. The woman from my office who attended with me had 30 years experience and failed dismally...we stood in the lobby afterwards talking because she was so upset she was in tears. As other agents came out, we learned they too had failed and were in tears.

Overall though, I've had excellent instructors in the classroom and highly recommend it when available. 

Most of the online CE classes were fine, including real estate post license (45 hours here). Designations/certifications not so much. One I was a webinar type setup and the(live)  instructor was truly awful...rushed the material, did not respond to questions, etc. I got through it but don't feel I really learned what the course description outlined.

Our State Association has online learning CEU's. Works well

I've taken over 100 online courses in my career easily.

They varied from fantastic to boring to very classroom.

There are some classes ( Buffini & Company's Peak Producers for example)  that get elevated by the live classroom and then there are those where online is fine (CRS and CAR type classes).

I don't do online course work. I prefer a classroom setting. The quickest way to put me to sleep is sit me in front of a computer to listen to a webinar.

Mixed reviews on both types of learning.  Ultimately, it depends on your learning style and what you want to get out of the class, credit or actually learn something.

I renewed my licensing twice online and have taken a number of ther courses...they vary in quality but I appreciate the ease of online. You do miss out on the face-to-face interaction of a live classroom.

I actually took my broker's course on line back in the 90s when it was first available on line in Georgia.  I had no problem learning with it and/or the state exam.  I did have to go to the school and sit for a proctored final, but that was one day vs. going to class daily.  I was a young single mom with a elementary school child and did most of it while she was sleeping in the evening, but without having to hire a sitter.  I have taken tons of CE on line over the years... most of which I would say is crap, just a means to an end of getting my hours, but I also have become an instructor and teach in person.  I learn better from a classroom with a great teacher, but it's not always convenient.

I have taken online CE courses. They were better than having to attend a class with the usual poor instruction.

Always good to do.

It depends on the answer you are looking for.

To be blunt, ou can learn to do ANYTHING on YouTube.

In regards to real estate, the big money makers have learned the BIG MONEY is in the middle-sphere, were digital products create the passive income their belief system requires. You need only to look at the owner of Active Rain and the gospel of KW to see the thread. Does it matter the source for obtaing what is beneficial to you? Most would say 'Absolutely NOT!"

Your question "is online courses worth while?" the answer is a resounding YES. The missing element is 'What were you looking for and does that align with your expectation and NEED?"

EVERY education opportunity offer nuggets of gold to the anticipating mind. To the skeptical, it's all bogus.

Pay what's within our budget, anticipate finding gold and never decline the 'in person' event.

First Tuesday online gets the annoying "must" on continuing credits done

We both have renewed our license online. A

Hi Tim! That's highly generic - some are good and some are not worth your time. CRS offers some excellent online courses, as do others. I can't tell you who to stay away from because I haven't taken a 'bad' one in a long time!

Everyone learns differently and although I prefer "live" instruction, I have taken quite a few online courses over the years mostly for convenience. 

I think it depends on the class, but I prefer online learning, as I have trouble sitting still for long periods of time and get bored quickly. However I took all of my GRI and CCIM classes in a classroom. To me, the quality of class has more to do with the instructor than the setting. 

I took the CDPE course online.  It was time consuming but efficient.

I do all my CE courses that way - oh dear - I have to renew a license next month - I need to get going

I have taken my core clases and elective classes through the CE shop on line for my license renewal for the past four years. . .  they are great classes and I can do them on my time.  The classes costs about the same as if you go to a real estate school or board of realtors. . . . .should you have any questions

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I have taken several on-line courses, including for license renewal. You can do the studying and take the practice tests at your pace. Review is easy. Only way to go, IMO.

I did an Ecobroker course that was quite thorough and good; required input and written homework, which was actually reviewed and feedback was provided.

Many experienced boredom and impossible to pass quizzes

I've taken some to get my biannual credits. They're great because they allow you to set your own pace and work when it's convenient for you.