Question

1- What are the advantages of distance education and what are the challenges and how they can be faced?

Answer 1

Advantages of distance learning

1. You can pursue a job along with studies: A major chunk of students who actually opt for distance education are those who don't want to give up their jobs but want a higher education, too. Distance education comes as a blessing for such students. You can study on the weekends, when you're back from work or even in the middle of the night. You get to learn while you earn!

2. You can save money: For any given program, the fee of a distance education degree (online or otherwise) may be much more affordable than the fee of a regular on-campus degree. Students who are looking for economically viable options can go for a distance learning program.

3. You save time: There's no time wasted in going to and from college, no time wasted waiting for a bus or train. In a distance learning program, your classroom is right in your bedroom - the study material on your desk or the e-material on your computer. Students who don't have enough time on their hands can turn to distance education as an option and pursue it from the comfort of their homes.

4. You can learn at your own pace: The prospect of going back to classroom education can be intimidating for many of us. Asking a question or revealing that you are unable to grasp a concept in class can be quite embarrassing for many students. Distance education comes to your rescue here!

If you are self-disciplined and self-motivated, the best benefit of distance education is that you can learn at your own pace. It's a known fact that different people learn in different ways and at different speeds. In a classroom, when everyone is being taught together, it is often difficult to have every student on the same page. Some students are too shy to raise their doubts in class. This is where distance education has an advantage over a regular campus program.

Since you are given all course work beforehand, you can study as much or as little as you want every day, as long as you complete your study material within the stipulated time. If you've doubts or queries, there are discussion forums, chat facilities with faculty and complete support from the distance education provider.

5. You can study whenever, wherever: Except in scenarios where you have to attend an online tutorial at a given time or a lecture through videoconferencing, you can pretty much study whenever you want to, wherever you choose to. You need not be stuck in a classroom, but can go study in your garden, on your living room couch or in the comfort of your own bed. Irrespective of whether you're a morning lark or a night owl, you can choose an optimum time to study whenever you're at your productive best.

6. Gaining recognition among employers: Distance education over the years has finally found some acceptance and recognition among employers, which is an encouraging sign. As long as the distance learning program is accredited, you need not be worried. In India, all distance education programmes that are approved by the Distance Education Council (DEC) stand automatically recognized for the purpose of employment to posts and services under the Central Government. Private sector employers also value a distance education degree now, and even encourage employees to pursue higher education along with their job so that employees can develop skills and expertise in their field of work.

Challenges of Distance Learning and their Solution

1. Lack of Support

The physical absence of the instructor means that they may not be available to guide or support the student when they need it most. The availability of counselors depends entirely on the distance education program your student is enrolled in.

Even the support that does exist relies on the student formulating questions and asking for help; something some students may find difficult. If the student has misunderstood a concept or is missing vital building blocks in their knowledge, they may not be aware of these issues. Only working one-to-one with a teacher will help them to solve this common problem of distance education by finding the missing building blocks and understanding difficult concepts.

2. Feelings of Isolation

A lot of learning is peer-based as students use discussion and groups to work through material. Teaching others, explaining concepts, answering questions and defending positions are all excellent was of learning and thinking critically.

Socially, your child may also feel isolated and miss out on the interaction they enjoy in a classroom environment. While this is a common problem of distance education, uou can counter these issues by selecting a distance learning course that provides opportunities for discussion and interaction through webinars, wikis, discussion boards and blogs. Create opportunities for interaction outside of school like sports clubs, dance class, summer camps, etc.

3. Discipline

There is a certain amount of social pressure and regulation that goes with a traditional classroom. Students have to show up on time and with homework done and they are guided through every step of their course, reminded of upcoming assignments and tests and there is a structure and routine to follow.

Some students are self-disciplined and have no problem with distance learning, while others may feel a little lost. You can help by establishing a structure and routine for studying. You must also teach executive skills. These are the skills that every student needs to be successful in academics and in life. Skills like organization, task prioritization, study skills and time management are not innate.

4. Technology

Advances in technology have made distance learning a more viable option as students are able to interact with each other and with the instructor, utilize audio, video and text to learn and use the internet for research. To ensure that your student is an effective distance learner, they must have access to all the technology they need and to be able to effectively navigate and use the tools at their disposal.