This is the use of technology and Internet access to facilitate learning over long distances. Historically, this referred to correspondence courses in which students would communicate with the teachers or schools by mail. More recently, distance learning has moved online to include a wide range of systems and methods on any connected device.
The top advantages of distance learning include:
Flexibility: Flexibility is the top benefit of distance learning. Students can choose how, where, and when they learn by selecting the medium, place, and time for their education. There’re options to meet virtually any student’s needs.
Easy access: Some students lack basic access to educational facilities for different reasons. Distance learning programs allow all students to learn in the environment they find the most effective. Distance learning also opens up new horizons of education with respect to international institutions. Major universities and institutions across the world now offer recognized certifications and degrees through distance learning programs to learners of all ages.
Less cost: Distance learning is lowering the cost of education, thanks to the scalability of digital learning. Online degrees have become almost commonplace, and there’re accredited online-only universities that remove expensive infrastructure overhead and get straight to teaching.
Though there’re lots of distance learning options available, a few types are well supported by established pedagogies and existing systems. Some of these include:
Online courses: As long as students have Internet access and a computer or laptop, they can take online courses from anywhere.
Conference classes: Conferencing allows teachers and students to meet up for a class in real-time, whether one-on-one or in a group. They can engage in live sessions using the smartphone or video conferencing software.
Correspondence courses: These courses allow students to engage in class material via email or mail. Students receive study materials and assignments through email/mail, and they send finished assignments back using the same method.
There’re certain features that students should look for when choosing a distance learning program. Proper accreditation is the most important thing students need to check out. Whether it offers a professional certificate or degree, it must have proper approvals. Most distance learning programs are designed to offer a fairly flexible schedule.
Still, students need to check if there’s a deadline to complete the course and whether its schedule matches theirs. For a distance learning program that uses digital mediums, students should ensure that it has a clean, user-friendly interface and comes with features such as digital whiteboarding, screen recording with audio, media creation and sharing, etc.
