Is Distance Learning for you?
With the developing intricacies in today's world there is a great need for outstanding professionals to succeed in their line of work. This calls for upgrading the skills one possesses. A dilemma many individuals encounter is how they can engage in enhancing their educational background, while balancing other commitments in life. A possible solution would be Distance Learning (also known as Distance Education). In this article, SL2College reviews the pros and cons of Distance Education.
Before proceeding, the concept 'Distance Learning' should be implicit to any prospective student. Distance Learning means delivering educational means using non-traditional (non-face-to-face) methods. This includes using technology, internet-seminars (webinars), web-conferences, video-conferences and/or more conventional methods such as guided-self-studying. Unlike conventional studies, whatever the Distance Learning modes, physical presence of the student at a particular time and at a particular place is not a requirement. However, for certain reputed courses, students are required to be physically present for examinations and assessments.
Currently distance education programs are offered in many countries. Some examples from UK include Imperial, UCLH, Queen Mary, and LSE. There are undergraduate programs which can be done online, at least partially. The process of doing a Masters degree on campus as opposed to online, and whether it can be a course or thesis based, depends on the course and program respectively. Today, there are some PhD programs too that can be done remotely.
From a prospective student's perspective, Distance Learning has many Pros and Cons as discussed below.
Pros
Balancing life – Many individuals are caught at a stage with conflicting interests. This most often involves balancing employment with education. Distance Learning provides the opportunity to balance obligations as the person sees fit. Once assessment/examination dates are set, it is the student's responsibility to manage their time accordingly. This also gives a student the flexibility to devote chunks of time to each endeavour, as deadlines/timelines call.
Duration – Generally the duration of study is flexible. The education service provider would provide a window for the course to be completed. For instance, 2-5 years may be taken to complete courses in certain programs that would have taken 1-2 years if done otherwise.
Recognition – Distance Learning provides the opportunity to obtain a credential from world reputed institutions such as Imperial College and London School of Economics in UK, which may otherwise be unfeasible due to competition, fees, geographic location and other factors.
Fee – Usually, the fee for a Distance Learning course is half of a full time or part time course. Further, the Distance Learning fee usually includes fees for text books, CDs and other similar resources. Cost of the program will vary like any other, and can range from £2500 to £30000.
Delivery – The student has the flexibility to engage in studies at the pace he or she deems fit. On the other hand, in conventional teaching, students have to strictly follow a schedule set by the professor. Hence, if students are weak in a particular area or missing a class, it could create issues.
Visa - Since a student can do distance learning from the comforts of their home, a student visa is not needed.
Cons
Convention – Many students are not keen in self-study. They want to be taught and have a one-on-one interaction with the instructor. While distance learning could utilise webinars and recorded video lectures, students should give some thought to whether or not they would want to be instructed via this medium.
Disconnection – Even with technological advances, it is difficult to interact with peers, lecturers and teachers if you are enrolled in Distance Learning. It does not offer the opportunity to network as much as conventional schooling might offer and this could add to demoralisation.
Reputation – There is a social misconception attached with distance learning as being inferior to conventional teaching.
Discipline – Lack of self-discipline may throw a prospective student off-track, especially with other commitments.
Course Limitations – Not all courses are offered through Distance Learning. For instance, there may be courses only available as full-time and part-time, but are not available via Distance Learning.
Finances - It is unlikely that students would be eligible for financial aid and internships in a program via distance learning.
So as a prospective student how would you decide if Distance Learning is for you? The answer to this pivotal question requires a bit of self reflection and soul searching. You should ask yourself if you are a self doer. This question is not to be taken lightly, as it will dictate your choice. If you realise that you are not, you should probably not try Distance Learning. Chances are that you will find it difficult to stick to a schedule, and thus, it will most probably be a waste of your time and money. If your answer is yes, you should establish in your mind that you are a self doer. You can then decide on the course and subjects you want to study, identify the universities which offers the course, check if you are eligible and find out if the program is affordable. It is also essential to see if you are in a locality that the program services well (e.g. if there is an exam centre nearby if the institution conducts examinations).
Finding and enrolling for a Distance Learning program requires research, mainly via the internet. You may also find valuable information from other reputed local institutions such as the British Council. On a final note, when making a decision to engage in, make sure you weigh the pros and cons carefully before signing up. Also, many reputed universities (e.g. U.C Berkeley, MIT, Stanford and Yale in the US) have free course material available online, complete with video lectures, problem sets, and slide presentations - try setting a schedule for yourself and following a course to see if you might be cut out for Distance Learning.
A selection of available courses can be found at these sites:
- - http://www.openculture.com/freeonlinecourses
- http://www.jimmyr.com/blog/1_Top_10_Universities_With_Free_Courses_Online.php.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely that of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of SL2College. This and other related articles are available on www.sl2college.org, under the resources section. Please post your queries on the forum at www.sl2college.org or email info@sl2college.org.
Date of publication in the Sunday Observer: November 20, 2011.
