What makes distance education

No more is it enough to do your Bachelor's and Master's at one go and then continue on the rest of your career path without updating your skills. Increasingly companies are seeking out individuals who are willing to learn more and up-skill themselves. Distance learning programs offer students the flexibility to pursue the course they have enrolled for while fulfilling other work, family, or academic commitments.

Students have the freedom to set their study pace, fix assignment submission deadlines, or even set their examination schedule. While it isn't necessary that a distance program is going to be definitely cheaper than studying at a traditional college, in most cases, it is so.

Virtual programs can be cheaper while offering the same quality of education and network. Along with financial savings, a distance program also saves you time. For a working individual especially, this means not having to take a break from their career, and finding a program that fits around their schedule. A concern that many students have about enrolling in a distance program is whether or not they would be driven enough to complete the course if in isolation.

What they don't realize is that most online, distance learning programs have a worldwide network of fellow students who become friends, guides, and study partners making the whole process of solitary studying simpler.

Some universities offering distance education programs also give students complete alumni status, helping them develop connections and receive references that can help you grow in your chosen career. With the rising popularity of online education, the quality of education being offered has also improved drastically.

Students are being taught by some of the top names in the field, receiving an education that would be otherwise impossible. Several universities offer distance learning keeping in mind to offer a high quality of education, creating a flexible study environment, and offering dedicated academic advisors to students. Several distance learning programs are now also offering placement assistance to students, getting top companies to recruit students who graduate from their programs.

With data analytics and machine learning forming the foundation of MOOC providers, distance learning programs are designed to constantly enhance how you study, helping you analyse areas of improvement and success. Correspondence courses consist of students engaging in class material via mail or email. Students receive material and assignments through mail, and they send completed assignments back through the same method.

Many students find distance learning to be a fulfilling and practical way to receive quality education, without needing to attend a traditional university.

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Our Scholarships. Some employers and many graduate schools require an accredited degree for either hire or admission. You want your diploma to be the key to future opportunities, not just a piece of paper. Other than accreditation, how can you better know what your degree can accomplish for you? Start by looking at student success. Quality programs will advertise their student successes.

They may advertise high boards passing percentages in a nursing program, above-average med school acceptance rates, or a percentage of prospective graduates hired before graduation. Low graduation rates and high default rates suggest a program is not serving its students well.

According to a Chicago Tribune story by Maria Danilova, for-profit colleges are the worst offenders by both these metrics. Graduation rates are easily obtainable, and the higher, the better. Remember, though, that online program graduation rates overall will be lower than residential programs.

Not all online classes are created equal. Unfortunately, there's a whole heap of shoddily produced, bore-you-to-tears classes out there that, in the end, just don't provide quality education. On the other hand, there are some truly inspired, engaging, and educational classes that really live up to the potential of distance learning.

Here are a few key factors that make all the difference to the quality of online courses:. Proper pacing means the student is neither bored nor overwhelmed; they have plenty of time--and notice--to complete large projects, but also are kept engaged by small assignments in the interim.

These small assignments should never stack up and bury the student in stress and anxiety, nor should they be pointless, tedious busy work. Great online courses take advantage of this fact, and incorporate various multimedia elements into the presentation, such as videos, podcasts, interactive activities, and more. This is certainly more engaging than reading a long text document, and the information is much more likely to be retained. It's not enough, however, to simply add in multimedia for multimedia's sake.

The content must be done well, and with a clear purpose. A forty-minute video of the professor mumbling into his webcam does not qualify as good use of multimedia. This is in stark contrast to those courses which only use dismal, bland textbooks and regurgitative, fill-in-the-blank quizzes. Low quality content feels like a chore, and the information is seldom retained.

High quality content can be of any modality: videos, websites, audio presentations, etc. What's important is this: does it lend itself to natural learning? Would an expert in the field recommend it to anyone curious about the subject, regardless of the online class? This is the sort of content used by the best online courses.

When the course is too micromanaged, when the assignments are dictated to the smallest detail, students become frustrated or, at best, don't make any meaningful discoveries on their own.

Good online courses give students the freedom to design their own projects and explore the aspects of the subject which are most interesting to them. Great online courses combat this risk by encouraging online interaction between students and faculty.

For example, a class may have an off-topic discussion board, where students can feel free to chat about anything that interests them--the playoffs, for example, or a tasty new recipe. Or a class may require students to work on a group project together via an online forum. This fosters a sense of community, and gives students the support needed to ask questions or seek guidance. Some students are very visually oriented; others need to hear information out loud to retain it.

The best online courses integrate as many learning modalities as possible--visual, auditory, kinesthetic, musical, and so on--into the presentation. This way, students are able to study in the way that works best for them. Students should always know what to do next, and should always know how to access relevant information and resources. The best courses have been reviewed by third party organizations and are designed to be intuitive to navigate.

The problem with this is that it doesn't always work, and everyone wastes a boatload of time and energy troubleshooting. The best courses use only technologies which are as reliable and as universally supported as possible. This makes the online learning experience much more pleasant for everyone involved. It's another fine balance: having too many supplemental add-ons can be confusing or stressful, but it's important to give students an opportunity to learn more if they wish to do so.

The key is to clearly differentiate the core class requirements from the additional resources, so students know exactly what's expected of them, and what options are available. All too often, online courses fall into a formula, and repeat that formula over and over for the entire duration of the class. This will be a very dull experience for the students, and the actual educational value of the course will suffer as well.

The best courses are designed by people who put careful thought and focused effort towards creating a unique and engaging class experience, from start to finish. What is Distance Learning? Why Distance Learning? Who Uses Distance Learning? The following are some of the reasons people enroll in distance learning programs: Students living in rural areas or those unable to attend traditional classes utilize distance learning Students from all over the world can enroll in online courses offered at specific colleges Companies utilize distance learning programs to train employees, especially those working in distance regions Distance learning is very flexible.

What technology is used for online distance learning? What is the experience like for online distance learners? The details provided below will give those considering distance learning an idea of what it's like: Students usually interact with classmates and teachers in chat rooms and other instant messaging services.

This makes it possible to ask questions and share comments without sitting in a classroom. Teacher lectures are frequently broadcast online, and many students and teachers stay in touch via conference calling technology. Group work is completed in chat rooms and special rooms on websites. Students also use e-mail, instant messaging, and web broadcasting technology to discuss project ideas with classmates.

Course assignments completed by students are completed on a website or submitted as email attachments. Students are usually not permitted to submit work completed on websites after due dates.

Most reference materials, such as documents and books, are accessible online for students. As a result, students usually do not have to visit libraries to complete traditional research. Many of the books students need are scanned and placed online.

Questions for instructors can be asked over the phone, through an e-mail, or in a chat room. Instant messaging technology is becoming a very popular way for students and teachers to interact. Choosing a Distance Learning School Distance learning has existed for centuries through traditional mail and other creative means, but online education is still a relatively new field. Accreditation Accreditation is the first and most important aspect of any school. Quality of Faculty By its nature, distance education is more independent than attending a physical classroom with other students, but having good teachers is still vital.

Degree Programs As with any school, you need to research the academic programs at an online school and make sure they line up with your goals for higher education. Understand the Requirements and Schedule It is also wise to understand the academic requirements and the class schedule before you commit to an online program.

Cost How much is tuition and are there any hidden fees or extra costs? Hardware, Software and Textbooks Most online schools have basic requirements when it comes to computers.

Criteria Remember, distance education has a different delivery method than traditional education, but the goal remains the same.

Choosing a Distance Learning Program Since more students are enrolling in distance learning programs, those considering enrolling in one should be cautious when selecting a program. Not all programs offer high quality education. Many institutions are cashing in on this demand for distance learning by offering programs that are sub-par or non-accredited. Therefore, those looking for a distance learning program should conduct thorough research before selecting one.

Formats Vary Widely Understand Some Potential Downsides Online programs can leave students feeling a bit isolated.