Distance education has become the most powerful learning tool in the recent past. It is
becoming the preferred choice of mode of study all over the world. This mode
education does not need a traditional classroom setup as the courses so offered
are completely online or through correspondence. This helps the working
individuals to still learn while continuing their job. Simply put distance
learning or distance education is a term that is used to describe the education
system wherein the learning happens at an off-campus location.
Most often the
debated question over the distance education learning program is the quality
and the value of this kind of program when compared to the traditional classroom
learning program. This question can be answered only the student as it all
depends on the student to extract the maximum out of the available resources.
He can use his resources and gather more knowledge and information or he can
just learn what is given in the material provided so. In fact with correct
amount of logical thinking the learning happening in this kind of distance
program fetches the individual high amount of intelligence quotient.
Distance
learning has taken many forms from its time of inception. Earlier students received
their education through correspondence courses but now because of the latest
technology and explosion of internet the education is taken in many other forms
such as audio based courses, video based courses, internet based courses etc.
These modes do have the disadvantage of non-existent two way communication
between the instructor and the student but the alternative is by using the
forums, chat boxes and emails to rectify their doubts. Live streaming with
large scale interactive participation has become possible with the recent
technologies.
In the
institution’s point of view the distance learning program offered by them has a
wide reach and has audience from all around the world if the course is an
online course. From a student this is more advantageous as this does not
include attending mandatory lectures. The student can take up the course any
time he/she wants to, the course they are completely interested in.
Of course the
distance education has its own short comings and is still facing the criticism.
This kind of learning may not suit all kinds of students as they might not be
comfortable with the resources being provided for a course. There is also some
kind of training required for participating in this kind of programs which may
not be there with all the students. The students also may participate in
malpractice etc.
When it comes to
the choice of opting to a distance education program is purely based on the
nature of the student. For institutions it is always good to provide both
traditional and distance courses to attract number of students.
So if you
looking to boost your career at your own comfortable pace and timings distance
education combined with e-learning should be your choice.
