What is distance learning? Is it the educational revolution that some people proclaim, or is it just overblown hype of another learning method? Perhaps a good place to answer this question is with a dictionary definition. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines distance learning as "Education in which students take academic courses by accessing information and communicating with the instructor asynchronously over a computer network. Also called distance education."
O.K. that's a good start, but what exactly does it mean? How does "communicating with the instructor asynchronously" have anything to do with an educational revolution? To answer that, let's examine distance learning a little more closely.
Asynchronous is a word that means "out of sync" or "something that does not occur at regular or predetermined intervals." Applied to education, it simply means that teaching and learning do not happen at the same time. Therefore communicating "asynchronously" over a computer network does not require the simultaneous participation of instructors and students. With distance learning, teacher and students are separated by time and space-literally, "at a distance."
This is certainly a revolutionary departure from traditional education. Since students do not need to meet together with the instructor in the same location at the same time, they are not bound by the constraints of rigid class times and meeting places. Asynchronous e-learning communication gives students greater flexibility to study at a time and place that best fits into their schedules.
Although the term distance learning is often used interchangeably with distance education, there is a subtle but distinct difference between the two. It could be said that they are really opposite sides of the same coin. The difference between the two is emphasis. Distance learning is student-centered instruction, with emphasis placed on the learner and the learning process. Distance education on the other hand, is teacher-centered instruction, with emphasis placed more on the teacher and instructional process.
The massive increase in popularity of distance e-learning is due at least in part to the unparalleled flexibility and convenience it affords students. With distance learning, a student no longer needs to be held back from educational goals by job, family responsibilities, or any number of other obstacles that may have prevented continuing education in the past.
Distance learning courses can supplement or even replace traditional education programs. For example, if a desired course is not offered locally, it's likely the student can enroll in the course online, even if the course is offered by a school far removed from where the student lives. For people who live in remote locations, are incarcerated, or have physical disabilities or other limitations that prevent attendance at a traditional school campus, distance learning may be the only viable option for continuing education.
While differences in delivery methods, timing, and location of instruction may be revolutionary, there is little or no difference between the curriculum in distance learning and traditional education. Distance learning outcomes generally equal that of traditional campus-based education. Although instruction is asynchronous, the overall time frame for instruction closely mirrors that of the traditional classroom setting. E-learning students often use the same textbooks and other materials as the traditional classroom. Upon graduation there is no distinction made on college transcripts as to whether the course is traditional or online.
Is distance learning an educational revolution, or is it just a way to hype another learning method? The answer may not be so obvious to the casual observer, but for online students the answer is crystal clear. With just a computer and internet access, millions of students around the world who might not otherwise be able to continue their education can do so with distance learning programs. For these students, distance learning is indeed an educational opportunity of revolutionary proportions.
Many online distance learning providers prefer presentation options such as webcasting because it is cost effective. Webcasting helps a school save travel expenses on presentations and seminars and is thus used by most schools engaged in online distance learning. In this modern technological age and time, some people are still reluctant to make use of existing technologies to make distance learning easier. Don't be like such people if you want the best from distance learning.
No matter the many advantages of the Internet, don't forget that distance education is not restricted alone to online education. Distance education can be done through traditional mails or through public service broadcasts. Distance learning programs can even be done using satellite and cable systems.
There are a lot of things that the Internet has made possible and more affordable. One such is distance learning. Online, you can now search easily for the school that offers the course of your choice, and for the one that is most affordable. Registration also can be done online, as can the whole of the course. It is now up to you to decide if you want to go to the college grounds to receive your diploma or certificate, or you want it delivered to you via mail.
When talking sheer size, the largest distance education center in the United Kingdom is easily the Open University, founded 1969. Other notable schools in the UK are Germany's FernUniversit't in Hagen, founded 1974, and of course, the University of London, that had started the practice before all the others.
Distance learning today is a craze the world over. In the United States online education is rapidly increasing among mainstream universities. Here, many prominent and esteemed institutions that engage in research have in fact developed several online doctoral programs that have been embraced by the world at large.
Even in real examinations, people cheat. In distance education, this is a nightmare, and one that various cynics exploit in challenging the program. No one can be there to effectively monitor and oversee the students? study process. What's more, during examinations, you are almost certain that the students obey no laws. Many of the problems faced by distance learning have been solved over time, but this is one that is yet to find the answer.
Distance learning cannot be completed if you are not in the right frame of mind for it. Distance learning students need to realize that they will not be able to interact with fellow students or the instructor like an on campus program lets them. So, it takes a great deal of control of yourself to be able to engage successfully in distance learning programs.
FM radio remains popular in developing nations, especially for distance education. This is in spite of the advent of LCD and plasma screen television, PDAs, the Internet, and all the rest. Sometimes people don't want to let go of the past, other times, it's simply all they know. What is important though is that knowledge continues to grow.
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