Distance Learning

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Distance Learning has redefined the limited scope of traditional education. The origin of distance education can be traced back to 1840s when Isaac Pitman started teaching shorthand in Great Britain via correspondence.

What Is Distance Education?

A student who cannot remain physically present “on-site” to receive education can learn through distance education system. Distance education delivers education to physically non-present students through exchange of electronic media or through other technologies. The teaching may be ‘synchronous’ meaning communicating in real time or ‘asynchronous’ meaning at times of the student and teacher’s choice. Distance learning has effectively incorporated pedagogy; technology and instructional systems design in dishing out education.

There Are Many Types Of Distance Education Courses

• Correspondence courses which are conducted through regular mail
• Conduction of education through Internet, which can be either synchronous or asynchronous
• Delivering education via radio or television called Telecourse/ Broadcast
• Students can also interact with computer content stored on a CD-ROM known as the CD-ROM method.
• The student can receive education from content stored in a pocket PC or mobile.

Methods Of Distance Learning

First we will talk about the electronic classroom or Virtual Learning Environment. An electronic classroom may or may not be a part of a distance education set up depending on whether it is on or off campus. It is called ‘flexible’ delivery method.

Secondly, we will focus on traditional classroom where the students sit and are connected via a video conferencing link to a teacher in a far-off classroom. This is a typical knowledge delivery method for geographically dispersed institutions.

If you dig into the term virtual university, you will see that it is an open learning institution that uses Internet as medium of communication. This enables the teachers, students and staffs share information at any time from any place.

Radio is still a popular education delivery medium in developing nations. Several educational programs that are conducted on radio are like science education, teacher education, liberal arts, business administration and other distance learning courses.

In correspondence courses, which were originally based on postal delivery, distance education system has enlarged its definition to encompass more urbane technologies and state of the art delivery systems. Primary and secondary education programs are widely available through correspondence courses.

The Advantages Of Distance Learning

Before enrolling into an online distance education program carefully weigh the pros and cons. Choose that one whose degree will give a positive boost to your career or job profile.

The Benefits

• Distance learning programs have evolved enormously in the past few years with a glut of choices and availability to pick up from.
• You can sign up with an online course when required and has not to comply with some fixed schedule.
• You can access education from the comfort of your home just sitting in front of the computer and accessing Internet.
• You can move on with your own speed in an online learning, you can complete assignments as per your convenience. In some distance learning program you can even devise your own degree.
• Often online courses are cheaper than traditional university courses.
• Distance education is good for people who are introvert, slow learners, people who learn from experimental exercises or visual signs and persons who are language challenged.
• You can acquire a degree in distance education without disrupting your career as the whole system runs in cyberspace.

Do not let this golden opportunity slip by, enroll into a befitting distance learning course and add another feather to your success story.