What is distance learning: advantages and disadvantages

Many students and students perceive a school or higher education institution as a kind of prison, as a duty that needs to be worked out, as punishment is unclear for what.

And they do not have anything against the very need to learn and get knowledge, they simply do not like to spend every day spending time at the desk.

If you are one of these students or schoolchildren, sort out what is distance learning .

This will help you to obtain the necessary knowledge, diploma at the end of the educational process, but do not spend so much time visiting the school.

You can study, but not dissolve in school, but live a full life.

What is distance learning, what are the advantages and disadvantages of it?


Let's be honest: only young men and women can afford to receive stationary knowledge in a higher educational institution without special life problems: without children, financially secured, surrounded by parental attention and money.

Those who have to combine study and something else, most often choose an absentee form or even refuse to receive a diploma.

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Not so long ago they had an alternative - distance learning, which allows you to get both knowledge and a diploma of higher education, regardless of the circumstances of life.

Everything about

distance learning Distance learning is one of the forms of interaction between a teacher and a student.

Its feature is that communication takes place at a distance( remotely) through various interactive methods.

You will have almost traditional classes with the teacher, but you will only interact with him using a computer and phone, and not by finding in the audience. Conveniently?

Even very convenient.

For the first time about distance learning began talking at the end of the twentieth century( in the 80's).

Already then there was a need to train students or improve the skills of employees not really, but at a distance, using modern means of communication.

Today this kind of interaction between a teacher and a student is not surprising - many universities and other educational institutions practice it in order to give the student a full higher education, a working person - the right to improve their qualifications, teach those who are busy, something useful.

The distance learning tool for several decades has expanded significantly, now use:

  • special computer programs;
  • online conference;
  • e-mail;
  • groups in social networks;
  • messenger and much more.

With the proliferation of computers, smartphones and almost universal coverage of wi-fi, it's much easier to conduct classes remotely.

7 advantages of distance learning


Distance learning has a number of advantages that encourage students to choose this way of getting higher education:

  1. You save time.

  2. You do not have to go to the university every day and go home, which is especially important for large settlements where you can spend several hours on the road.

  3. You save money.

    For example, if you decide to study in another city, then you have to pay for your housing, spend money on regular trips home, buy food, etc.

    And so you can learn without leaving the house.

  4. You make your own schedule.

    Knowing how much time you need for distance theory and practice every day, you can fill your free time with something useful and interesting for yourself, for example, work.

  5. Innovative approach.

    You have the opportunity to use modern technologies for studying and gain access to electronic libraries, which, of course, will be useful to you in the future.

  6. Unlimited possibilities.

    Thanks to this form of study, distance is no longer a hindrance in order to obtain a diploma of higher education.

  7. It is realistic to create a unified educational environment.

  8. This is very important for the corporate course, when it is necessary to educate a large number of employees, and simultaneously.

  9. Creative component.

    You get a lot of freedom of action, do not have to adjust to the mood of the teacher, observe the deathly silence in the audience.

    A moderate portion of the creative is allowed for all tasks.

4 disadvantages of distance learning


Naturally, it would be unfair to lie that distance learning consists exclusively of pluses and completely devoid of any negative.

No, this form of study, like any other educational process, has both positive and negative sides.

  1. The money question.

    If you can enter the full-time form without spending money, the remote form is almost always paid.

    So start collecting money.

    And you need a good computer with fast internet, which can also become a serious money problem for residents of remote villages.

  2. This form is not suitable for everyone.

    Psychological and other features of some people do not allow them to learn remotely.

    For example, someone lacks discipline and organization, someone - a competitive moment with other students, someone - control by the teacher, etc.

  3. Impossibility to plunge headlong into student life.

    Years of students - this is not only couples, tests, colloquia, exams, libraries and other not very funny things.

    This is also - communication with peers, student parties, social life, skits and much more.

  4. Some kind of discriminatory component.

    Let's say that it's much easier for you to express your thoughts verbally than in writing, but after all, for remote lessons, all tasks have to be performed in writing, which can be a problem for some people.

Distance Learning: what is it and what are its features?


If you decide to seriously study the issue of distance learning, then you need to know about the existing forms and programs of this method of obtaining higher education.

And, I'm sure, it will be useful for you to learn the secrets with which you can make your lessons successful and enjoyable.

3 forms and 4 distance learning programs

Modern applicants who want to study remotely have a good choice of programs and forms.

If you do not find what you are looking for in your country, you can always choose a foreign university for study.

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Basic Distance Learning Programs:

  • Distance Universities.

    In every developed country there are universities offering students a bachelor's degree( less often a master's degree), studying outside the university walls.

    It is important to know in advance whether the institution of your choice has the necessary accreditation and whether you will receive a real diploma at the end of the course.

  • Programs online from universities.

    In this case, it is rather a question of upgrading the qualification, obtaining the required degree, expanding its specialization, etc.on the basis of higher educational institutions.

  • Distance courses.

    For example, you can not get a driver's license remotely, because you need real practice, but you need to learn English, learn a computer program, listen to the training course on personal growth, etc.- you can easily.

    Such programs are offered by many private companies.

To date, there are 4 basic forms of distance learning:

  1. Chat-lesson.

    Simultaneously, all the students and the teacher connect to the chat, so they get the opportunity not only to listen to the teacher, but also to ask clarifying questions. Chat can be text or video.

  2. Teleconference.

    With the help of this form it is good to conduct not only theoretical but also practical exercises.

    The most popular form of distance learning today is in the US and European universities.

  3. Web lesson.

    With its help, you can conduct not only theory, but also practice, but this form is limited to the fact that students see and listen to the professor, but do not have the opportunity to ask again.

    A web lesson can be synchronous( all students can connect to it at one time) or asynchronous( one or more students are connected).

  4. Telepresence.

    Experimental form, which began to practice only recently.

    Its goal is not just to conduct a video chat with a student, but to create a sense of the presence of the teacher next door.

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What does it take to make distance learning successful?

There are several secrets, knowing that you can make your distance learning easy and successful:

  • Choose not only a university, but also a training course.

    The distance learning course should be different from full-time, but do not yield to it in fullness.

    It is advisable to preview the course before signing the contract.

  • Take it seriously.

    Yes, you do not have to attend daily lectures and seminars, but at home you should also learn, not beat the bucks.

    Your goal is not only a diploma, but also knowledge.

  • Use different tools.

    Web camera, phone, e-mail, regular mail, fax, video, teleconferencing and more.

  • Organize the process correctly.

    There is time for study, there is - for everything else.

    For example, from 9.00 to 12.00 you are engaged, and nothing should distract you.

  • Accessibility of the teacher.

    Studying internally, you can always come to the teacher for a consultation, exactly the same opportunity you should have, when you are studying remotely - the professor should go out with you to communicate.

    If he does not, complain to the dean's office.

It's also very important to choose the specialty that you like and in the nuances of which you will easily understand.

Favorite business will brighten up to you not only years of study, but also career takeoff.

Distance learning is not so difficult


Americans have long practiced distance learning, believing that a student is quite an independent unit in order to learn autonomously, rather than sit on a leash in the classroom.

Russian university leaders also gradually came to the fact that the distance form is great, because it provides additional opportunities for both students and teachers.

Here at these sites you can find a number of universities, where they encourage the student's independence: http://www.ecvdo.ru and http: //zillion.net/ru/.
The list is large enough, so you will not experience big difficulties with choosing an alma mater.

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How does distance learning work?

The algorithm of actions is quite simple: you fill in the necessary documents that confirm that you have chosen the remote form( each university has its own requirements, so you will have to learn at the place of study) and get advice on exactly how the process will go.

After all organizational procedures, you can start lectures and seminars.

The remote form looks more like a stationary one than a correspondence one, because you study every day, simply without the need to attend an institution of higher learning, perform the tasks of a teacher, study textbooks, etc.

At the end of the semester, you, like your full-time colleagues, take exams, but also online.

Do not rush to rejoice that you will be able to write off at the exam - they are conducted with the help of tests and they do not have to take much time to complete them so that you can peek something in the textbooks.

By choosing for the distance classes licensed by the Ministry of Education, you will receive a standard diploma, which does not even indicate that you studied remotely, and not in a hospital.

In addition to the diploma, as well as students, that they prefer more traditional forms of study, a list of disciplines will be indicated that you have mastered, and assessments for them.

If you do not want, you can not even specify in your resume and on interviews that you studied remotely.

The obvious advantages of distance learning are detailed in the video of the European Distance University:

Why did I choose distance learning?

Once in search of inspiration, I wandered to one site. There, people shared their stories and boasted of success.

I was very interested in the story of a lady about combining studies and caring for a child without moms and nannies. The lady was called Inna.

She told me that she was pregnant in the first year from a guy she had met since school.

Pregnancy was unplanned, but there was no question about abortion. They merried.

Inna still managed to finish the first year of the institute, being pregnant, and during the summer holidays she gave birth to the charming daughter Anya.

Child Inna adored, but she did not want to interrupt her studies and take maternity leave for 3 years.

The absentee form also did not fit: first, during the sessions it would still have to look for a nanny( her parents, as well as her husband's parents lived far away), and secondly, Inna did not believe that the correspondence form would give her enoughknowledge for further work.

And then, studying the options, she saw that there is a distance form of training.

It turned out to be a trivial matter to issue papers, it was much more difficult to learn quality and combine care for the baby, but the girls coped.

For the first three years Inna studied remotely, thus completing 4 courses.

After giving the baby to the kindergarten, the young mother got the opportunity to enter the 5th year already at the hospital.

Having a red diploma and real knowledge, Inna easily found a good job. She claims that she did not regret a single day that she once chose a distance form.

Yes, it was difficult, yes, I wanted to quit everything, but she managed and eventually got everything at once: a happy family, a beloved daughter and higher education.

It is for young mothers and working students to first of all learn, what is distance learning .

This will help you to combine several cases at the same time without sacrificing your studies.

  • Mar 04, 2018
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