Distance Learning allows students to learn at home or any preferred location of his/her choice. This medium is ideal to break free from the typical designs of teaching and learning because it makes education highly convenient and open to flexibility.

Let’s explore more about this educational alternative. And understand its scope for students in the years to come. 

What is Distance Learning?

Back in the year 1976, the University of Phoenix (founded in Arizona) introduced the paradigm of Distance Learning. As per sources, this opportunity clicked with the target audience massively. By the first decade of the 21^st century, around 400,000 students availed the benefit of this private school. This idea of liberating students from the prerequisites of a physical campus initially helped a large number of non-traditional students. But in the past few years, the reach of remote learning has grown bigger thereby incorporating all types of learners be it traditional or non-traditional.

How Distance Learning Works?

A distance learning system can be with or without online classes. If an institution offers virtual classes, the flexible learning opportunities extend into synchronous and asynchronous structures. Synchronous learning refers to real-time student-teacher interactions through video conferencing applications or online learning platforms (with built-in features to log in to virtual classes).

During the asynchronous learning duration, the student carries on studies remotely without visiting any physical vicinity. A distance learning program that does not offer online classes operates purely through the asynchronous option. In the present time, most institutions have their own online platforms wherein students and teachers access all the online content, connect with the teachers, track the learning progress, etc. 

Remote Learning During the Pandemic

After the global pandemic, distance education had a major digital transformation. By the year 2020, 75% of students in the U.S.A. chose to enroll in at least one such course. And this option helped around 11.8 million undergraduate students at this point in time.

While this option picked up massively during the pandemic disruption, it was also observed that remote learning was adopted as a full-time educational choice by around 44% of students, which is around 7 million in numbers.

For many reasons, this trend is gradually surpassing the choice of traditional on-campus learning. Let’s look at some of the top advantages of this medium to understand better.

Distance Learning Vs Regular Learning

Types of Distance Learning

Broadly, distance learning system has the following types:

• Online Learning– 100% online schools or post-secondary institutions/courses 
• Hybrid Learning– A blend of online and face-to-face learning
• Learning through the postal system– The traditional system of the distance learning programme

What are the Benefits of Distance Learning?

Suitability for All

We all know about individual differences in human beings. And their impact on our learning abilities or adjustments. As per a study, individual differences in our sociocognitive abilities are directly linked to our adjustment and competence. We all have different levels of these abilities. Hence there is no single rule/theory that can directly apply to all of us equally.

With a choice like distance learning, students who struggle in the typical traditional school environment find a respite. They need not work hard on building peer relationships. In fact, this medium sets the students free from many issues that exist within the regular educational systems. Be it non-traditional students, introverted adults with responsibilities, differently-abled ones, or distance learners this choice helps all of them equally.

Access to Better Opportunities

Access to equal and better opportunities is another advantage of distance learning. This choice helps students to make use of digital tools (through accredited online schools or other platforms). And adds great value to their learning. Students who cannot afford to enter expensive institutions with the best facilities can also access better resources with high-quality online learning. This helps in setting a universal standard of educational resources. And promotes equality in the world of teaching and learning. 

More Flexible

Another benefit of a distance learning system is the amount of flexibility that it gives to the learners. Students can enjoy the freedom to start a program/course. And can carry out the learning process as per their individual schedules/preferences. This option works well with students who can complete their work within deadlines. Rest, students are free to decide their suitable dates, time, and schedules with almost no interference.

Adaptable

Many students learn at a fast pace, while others need more time to grasp the same topic/concept. Both ways, this choice of remote learning suits students like no other medium. It is highly adaptable to their needs. And always has scope for other priorities/responsibilities. All in all, the best quality online resources are accessible and the study schedules are adaptable to the needs of the students.

Ideal for Adults

Recent trends have shown that students between 18 to 21 years of age are highly inclined towards online learning/distance learning classes. Open educational resources and the flexibility offered by distance learning make it the first choice of adult learners. The growing scope of virtual learning also supports professionals looking to hone their skill sets. In fact, open educational resources have also managed to bring down the cost factor for students. And they saved around $15 million since the year 2019.

Be it career advancement or skill-building this option has opened many doors for adult students. And this upward trend is certainly growing at a stupendous speed.

Varied Choices

Several students can find a wide array of courses through distance learning. In a traditional school, this choice is limited to only a few courses. This helps many students to make their choices right in the first go. In fact, many students also take up this medium to gauge their interests before they finally decide on a particular career pathway.

In the present times, online learning is an improved version of distance learning. Let’s jump to the top reasons why students prefer online education.

Top Reasons Why Students Choose Online Learning Over Traditional Medium

(Data for undergraduate students)

What is the Importance of Distance Learning?

Most academicians in the world acknowledge that the future will be online or hybrid.

As per Forbes, the world will see online education 3.0 in the years to come. Similarly, Mckinsey also believes in the power of remote learning in replicating traditional patterns. One of the write-ups released by McKinsey highlights an invaluable benefit of remote learning at the implementation stage of experiential learning. It shows that remote solutions can work equally well with adults as much as the face to face learning does.

Importance of Distance Learning After the Pandemic

A leading journal states that the effects of the pandemic have reshaped the teaching-learning industry forever. In fact, many colleges started building their online curricula to offer their students robust distance learning programs. Distance learning has seamlessly integrated the power of innovation and technology. With this, the world now has a parallel mainstream system of education. This will cater to students who wish to study outside the typical designs of brick-and-mortar schools.

The pandemic has also shown a pathway to teaching concepts easily to students. As a result, online schooling is now the first preference for active holistic learning.

While there are advantages of distance learning classes, there are some disadvantages too.

Disadvantages of Distance Learning

• Students have limited interaction with teachers.
• Many students need a more disciplined approach and tend to procrastinate work.
• Several students do not have access to digital resources.
• Some institutions lack proper accreditation. Hence, students cannot rely on the legitimacy of the degrees/diplomas/academic credentials issued to them.

Tips for Distance Learning

• Distance learners need to be highly self-motivated.
• One must check the accreditation of the distance learning program before enrolling.
• It is always better to ask for the number of online classes provided by the institution before shortlisting the program.
• Students must know the right pace of thriving in distance education.

Final Thoughts

Several institutions and online schools are enhancing the student’s learning experience through the concept of distance learning. And the added touch of technology makes this choice highly effective for several types of students. This option is certainly a great pillar of support for the global education industry. Let’s hope that its scope continues to grow. And many more students reap the benefits of this flexible educational alternative.

Thanks for Reading!

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a distance learning course?
  Distance learning is an educational choice that allows students to carry on the learning process from their home locations. They need not travel to a physical location every day to attend classes. Many platforms that offer such courses provide teacher’s handholding through the virtual medium.

• Is distance education suitable for all types of students?
  For some students who need the teacher’s handholding at every step or lack intrinsic motivation, distance learning is not a good choice. For many others who can complete work on deadline. And manage to study individually, this choice is good enough.

• What are some of the benefits of distance learning classes?
  • Distance learning system has many advantages:
  • Flexibility
  • Reduced cost
  • No peer pressure
  • Freedom from everyday travel
  • Virtual classes for teacher’s assistance
  • Better opportunities to collaborate
  • Suitability in all life conditions etc.

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The post The Ultimate Guide to Distance Learning: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on International Schooling.