essay on advantages of distance education

The pros and cons of online learning

What to look for in an online course.

By: MIT xPRO

If you’re at a point in your life where you’re considering continuing your education, you may wonder if online learning is the right path for you.

Taking an online course requires a notable investment of time, effort, and money, so it’s important to feel confident about your decision before moving forward. While online learning works incredibly well for some people, it’s not for everyone.

We recently sat down with MIT xPRO Senior Instructional Designer and Program Manager Luke Hobson to explore the pros and cons of online learning and what to look for in an online course. If you’re waiting for a sign about whether or not to enroll in that course you’ve been eying, you just might find it here.

Pros of Online Learning

First, let’s take a look at the true value of online learning by examining some of the benefits:

1. Flexibility

Online learning’s most significant advantage is its flexibility. It’s the reason millions of adults have chosen to continue their education and pursue certificates and degrees.

Asynchronous courses allow learners to complete work at their own pace, empowering them to find the optimal time to consume the content and submit assignments.

Some people are more attentive, focused, and creative in the mornings compared to the evenings and vice versa. Whatever works best for the learners should be the priority of the learning experience.

2. Community

When Luke asks people about their main reason for enrolling in a course, a common answer is networking and community.

Learners crave finding like-minded individuals who are going through the same experiences and have the same questions. They want to find a place where they belong. Being in the company of others who understand what they’re going through can help online learners who are looking for support and motivation during challenging times and times that are worth celebrating.

Some learners have created study groups and book clubs that have carried on far beyond the end of the course-it’s amazing what can grow from a single post on a discussion board!

3. Latest information

“Speed is a massive benefit of online learning,” and according to Luke, it often doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

“When we say speed, we don’t mean being quick with learning. We mean actual speed to market. There are so many new ideas evolving within technical spaces that it’s impossible to keep courses the way they were originally designed for a long period of time.”

Luke notes that a program on Additive Manufacturing , Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality , or Nanotechnology must be checked and updated frequently. More formal learning modalities have difficulty changing content at this rapid pace. But within the online space, it’s expected that the course content will change as quickly as the world itself does.

Cons of Online Learning

Now that we’ve looked at some of the biggest pros of online learning, let’s examine a few of the drawbacks:

1. Learning environment

While many learners thrive in an asynchronous learning environment, others struggle. Some learners prefer live lessons and an instructor they can connect with multiple times a week. They need these interactions to feel supported and to persist.

Most learners within the online space identify themselves as self-directed learners, meaning they can learn on their own with the right environment, guidance, materials, and assignments. Learners should know themselves first and understand their preferences when it comes to what kind of environment will help them thrive.

2. Repetition

One drawback of online courses is that the structure can be repetitive: do a reading, respond to two discussion posts, submit an essay, repeat. After a while, some learners may feel disengaged from the learning experience.

There are online courses that break the mold and offer multiple kinds of learning activities, assessments, and content to make the learning experience come alive, but it may take some research to find them-more on what to look for in an online course later in this article! Luke and his colleagues at MIT xPRO are mindful of designing courses that genuinely engage learners from beginning to end.

3. Underestimation

Luke has noticed that some learners underestimate how much work is required in an online course. They may mistakenly believe that online learning is somehow “easier” compared to in-person learning.

For those learners who miscalculate how long they will need to spend online or how challenging the assignments can be, changing that mindset is a difficult process. It’s essential to set aside the right amount of time per week to contribute to the content, activities, and assignments. Creating personal deadlines and building a study routine are two best practices that successful online learners follow to hold themselves accountable.

Experience the Value of Online Learning: What to Look For in an Online Course

You’ve probably gathered by now that not all online courses are created equal. On one end of the spectrum, there are methods of online learning that leave learners stunned by what a great experience they had. On the other end of the spectrum, some online learning courses are so disappointing that learners regret their decision to enroll.

If you want to experience the value of online learning, it’s essential to pick the right course. Here’s a quick list of what to look for:

• Feedback and connection to peers within the course platform. Interacting regularly with other learners makes a big difference. Luke and the MIT xPRO team use peer-reviewed feedback to give learners the opportunity to engage with each other’s work.
• Proof of hard work. In the online learning space, proof of hard work often comes in the form of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or specific certifications. MIT xPRO course participants who successfully complete one or more courses are eligible to receive CEUs , which many employers, licensing agencies, and professional associations accept as evidence of a participant’s serious commitment to their professional development.

Online learning isn’t for everyone, but with the right approach, it can be a valuable experience for many people. Now that you know what to look for in an online course, see what Luke and the MIT xPRO instructional design team have to offer by checking out the latest MIT xPRO courses and programs .

Originally published at http://curve.mit.edu on August 8th, 2022.

The pros and cons of online learning was originally published in MIT Open Learning on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

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Student voices

Student perspectives: the pros and cons of distance learning

West contra costa students reflect on their experiences with distance learning., karina mascorro, david sanchez, valeria echeverria & ronishlla maharaj, june 3, 2020, 39 comments.

Like students throughout California, students in the West Contra Costa Unified school district headquartered in Richmond have been grappling with distance learning instituted in response to the coronavirus pandemic. It is possible or even likely that distance learning will be a prominent part of the school landscape this fall as well. With that in mind, we we are bringing you these students’ reflections on their experiences with distance learning and being out of school generally  — what worked and what didn’t. Friday is officially the last day of school in the district, but some of these interviews were conducted earlier this semester. Students’ remarks have been edited in some instances for clarity.  

Nayeli Mercado, 15, sophomore, Richmond High

Before distance learning, my mental health was never great, but it was controllable. Although, once quarantine started, where we don’t go out, I feel way more mentally exhausted. Along with that, I’ve been really emotional. I get really sad over little things or angry at things I shouldn’t get angry about. I used to complain about school a lot but I kind of miss it now. I miss my friends, teachers, attending class. I miss school in general.

Alizei De Leon, 15, sophomore, Middle College High

I have about the same amount of homework, or maybe a little less since some teachers are trying to make this easier. I also don’t have to study as much for tests anymore since some teachers have canceled tests for the rest of the year…I spend about three to four hours on homework per day, unless I’ve already finished all my work that week. I’m getting through my classes, but I know that I will forget most of this information throughout the summer.

Veronica Contreras, 16, sophomore, De Anza High

What I miss is the support that school actually gives. The way distance learning is set up at De Anza is we have two Zoom classes every day in which they assign work that is due a week later. On Thursday, we have one class and on Fridays, the Zoom classes are just clubs or extracurriculars that want to have a meeting. I personally feel that I am not learning in these Zoom classes.

Irene Kou, 15, sophomore, De Anza High

It feels like there’s more pressure to want to stay silent and even if you do ask for help, most questions are not fully answered due to the lack of the in-person and hands-on experience.

Katherine Henriquez, 19, senior, Richmond High

I feel that I’m not getting as much work done and have fewer resources around me. It makes me feel more stressed because teachers aren’t there and you have to wait for their response which might take days because they have other students to respond to as well… I also miss seeing my friends and meeting new people at school.

Edwin Garcia, 17, senior, Richmond High

In the midst of all this chaos and struggle, it’s been very hard to stay motivated to do work and keep up with new assignments…Covid-19 also changed the process of enrolling in college as I’m not able to go to the campus for tours or if I need help I can’t ask my teachers. Additionally, financially college has also become more frightening because of the financial crisis that’s spreading across the world. For now, I’m staying calm but the effects of quarantine are beginning to take a toll on my mental health.

Ricardo Castillo Fierro, 17, senior, Richmond High

Every day, I feel less motivated to do my work. At first, when this distance learning started. I thought the work was going to be easier. Then, as time passed everything just fell apart. I’m behind in all of my classes and it’s nearly impossible to catch up. I can’t do the work on my own. I want to learn with my classmates. Distance learning changed a lot of things for me. I wasn’t able to spend time with my friends and my last year of high school wasn’t what I expected at all…It’s one of the reasons why I lost motivation in school because we aren’t going to be able to graduate on stage.

Yvette Garcia, 18, senior, Richmond High

I lost a part-time job due to the virus. I would work around 24-28 hours a week. I would contribute to my family’s expenses by giving $120 a month for the electricity bill in order to help my family. Not being able to help with the bills makes me feel useless because I know my family needs that extra help…I also just miss being out in public with friends and doing outside activities (and) how it could take my mind off of things and just let me relax a little and enjoy the way things used to be.

Yashika Joshi, 17, senior, Aspire College Prep Academy

Distance learning has been difficult. It’s been hard to manage, teaching yourself through assignments…I try to do my work when everybody is asleep at night. If I was at school, I would’ve learned much more due to a teacher paying more attention. Teachers are assigning work on a daily basis, with 45 minutes to hour-long assignments for each class, all due at the end of the week. The workload has increased a lot. Some teachers have reached out (checked in) but not often.

Dana Reyes, 18, senior, Middle College High

I am taking both college and high school classes. My classes are all being taught virtually, through email, or through Google Classroom. I have pushed my self determination to the max and I’m experiencing something very strange. I am still receiving the content but now I have to work twice as hard to understand the material. I sometimes get discouraged and unmotivated but I still try my best to finish early even though teachers and staff have been very flexible and understanding with due dates.

Mekayla Saechao, 16, junior, Richmond High

Distance learning for me so far has been difficult but manageable. Most of my classes consist of completing work that is posted on Google Classroom with a Zoom meeting every other week. I don’t believe I’m learning as much as I would have in school because I’m not getting a lesson from my teachers every day. My teachers have helped a lot by answering questions about assignments quickly…To tell you the truth it is a lot to manage since I’m not physically at school working with my classmates and teachers. But being at home in my comfort zone has helped me become more organized with my work.

Jennifer Diaz Lopez, 18, senior, Richmond High

I have been overwhelmed with the amount of work that I receive, which has changed ever since the pandemic began. Most of my classes are being taught through videos. The majority of my teachers upload videos in which they explain the week’s assignments, while other teachers upload files and text through Remind . My teachers have only reached out when I ask for extensions. I honestly have not learned anything since classes went virtual, because I’m a student that needs to interact and engage with physical activities.

Olinda Raquel Figueredo Orellana, 14, freshman, Kennedy High

It’s been really stressful because most people just want this whole thing to be over and I’m one of them but overall I just feel like it’s not going to happen since so many people still go out. Freshman year wasn’t what I expected because of the whole social distancing. I mean it kind of ruined the high school experience.

Monishlla Maharaj, 18, senior, Richmond High

Although I have assignments from almost all of my classes every day, almost back to back, I always feel like I can do the work whenever I want to… It’s like fighting with my brain daily to do the work or to not do the work. As much as I wouldn’t want to do online learning, I know it benefits everyone by preventing them from getting sick from the virus.

Sarahi Yupit, 16, sophomore, Richmond High

It is hard to concentrate at home during distance learning because I don’t feel motivated to do the work since there is nobody my age whereas at school I feel motivated..it seems like it’s easier to do the tasks and stay on task. There are teachers who teach the actual material. They also motivate you to do your best.

Niya Mason, 16, sophomore, Richmond High

At school, I feel like I was actually learning. But for distance learning, it feels like I am not learning to my full potential. The work definitely keeps me on my toes but I don’t feel like I’m learning. When I’m physically at school, it’s different since I can ask questions, learn more about the subject and be there in person. However, it just seems like, in online learning, teachers are constantly pushing work. I’m not learning because I am constantly struggling to turn the assignments in on time.”

Karina Mascorro , David Sanchez, Valeria Echeverria and Ronishlla Maharaj are students at Richmond High School in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. They’re staff writers of the West Contra Costa Student Reporting Project.

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Catter Lino 3 years ago 3 years ago

Thank you all so much for letting me know I’m not the only person feeling stressed about all this studying at home.

jonathan 3 years ago 3 years ago

Distance learning has been hard because it’s hard to concentrate and get distracted, and I feel like we don’t learn better than we did before.

trinity avalos 3 years ago 3 years ago

Dear Nayeli Mercado, I know how you feel about your mental health and problem. I also will get emotional and angry for the Smallest thing. I also used to hate school but now I miss it.

annamarie 3 years ago 3 years ago

I feel the same way.

Vivi 3 years ago 3 years ago

I do virtual learning but I am in 5th grade and I am struggling with stress and friends and life is just hard. I am doing an opinion writing and it is called, "Should Schools Always Have A Virtual Option" and I think not. I am personally someone that loves in person but I put pretty much told all of my feeling to my teacher so now I don't want to change teachers … Read More

I do virtual learning but I am in 5th grade and I am struggling with stress and friends and life is just hard. I am doing an opinion writing and it is called, “Should Schools Always Have A Virtual Option” and I think not. I am personally someone that loves in person but I put pretty much told all of my feeling to my teacher so now I don’t want to change teachers just to be in person. I feel like I wanna crawl in a hole and die. I have always had this tough girl image and now I feel like I let myself down. I just have 2 swim practices left. I have the mock meet and an award and fun day for the last two swim practices. Softball starts in the beginning of May and I forgot when running club starts.

That is not why I am stressed it is all of the stupid school work and how I feel like I am not learning as much as everybody else. My teacher says I am really smart and my knowledge will take me places and will impress people the whole way and I know that deep down but when I am thinking bad thoughts I always doubt it’s true. She says I am one of the most hard working students she has ever met and she also said that she does not say that to everyone so I do believe I just feel like my life is falling apart right and I am doing nothing to stop when really I am doing as much as I can.

It is nice to feel that I am not alone and if you are reading this comment and you are like me, just know, you are not alone in this battle.

Naymi 3 years ago 3 years ago

For my school, the work is extra hard than on online learning and when we chose the elective, I asked for normal classes and they gave me advanced. I didn’t believe they just switched my classes and they changed my actual classes and me and my mother complained to them to change it but they did not. I don’t know why but it is very infuriating how they did nothing after we complained multiple times to the school.

Suzette Cuseo 3 years ago 3 years ago

These comments from students are very relevant. I teach adult ESL students and they will be interested in reviewing the opinions of younger students. Thank you for your input.

Sophia 3 years ago 3 years ago

I hate distance learning. Ever since it started I havent been motivated to do my work or even pay attention because as teachers constantly remind us... "the class is recorded and the slides are on google classroom". Like why even pay attention much less study or take notes when you have all the resources you need. It was awful and stressful trying to get work done when I had access to the internet. I would … Read More

I hate distance learning. Ever since it started I havent been motivated to do my work or even pay attention because as teachers constantly remind us… “the class is recorded and the slides are on google classroom”. Like why even pay attention much less study or take notes when you have all the resources you need.

It was awful and stressful trying to get work done when I had access to the internet. I would always get distracted and then get behind. also it took a huge toll on my mental health. I stopped sleeping regularly, was diagnosed with Social Anxiety (seeing as I was a very outgoing person and wasn’t afraid of people), suffered depression from not being able to converse with friends or even see them, got into some really bad habits and am struggling to get over, got cyber bullied. And all that for me to forget everything I learned the whole year!! Point being Zoom/online learning is destroying metal health, social skills, actual learning, and our sense of normality.

Logan Clarkson 3 years ago 3 years ago

I feel the same as almost all of these. and is everyone else doing this for school?

Rosalyn Parks 3 years ago 3 years ago

Doing school online is tough. Not only is it hard for me to find motivation to even start my work, the zoom classes are tiring and I can’t see my friends. I’m getting restless and just want an excuse to get off my computer and do something else, even if I’m in the hospital. I’m sick of online school.

Annabelle Stornetta 4 years ago 4 years ago

I have seven - no scratch that - I have eight classes if I include my advisory class that are from 8:30 am-4:00 pm (Fridays are shorter and go from 10:00-1:00 thankfully). I attend MIT in Vallejo CA and I am a senior this year. I truly dislike having to attend my last year of high school from home on a computer. I have no internet or computer of my own because I can't afford … Read More

I have seven – no scratch that – I have eight classes if I include my advisory class that are from 8:30 am-4:00 pm (Fridays are shorter and go from 10:00-1:00 thankfully). I attend MIT in Vallejo CA and I am a senior this year. I truly dislike having to attend my last year of high school from home on a computer. I have no internet or computer of my own because I can’t afford it at the moment so the school over the last summer was kind enough to give everyone these tiny T-Mobile hot spots and some school computers.

Unfortunately they have many problems like for example the extremely slow connection and nearly all websites are blocked. I have the worst possible luck with technology. (You will likely never meet someone with worse off tech problems than me.) Even my teachers are having a hard time coping with it all. I have never felt more bad for my teachers than I have recently in my entire life. I feel bad for some of the teachers that I don’t even like!

I just hope everything will sort itself out in the near future. But we don’t have to use our cameras which is nice of the school but we did have to change our profile pics to our faces at first then they let it go and we changed them back lol.

It’s a bit difficult to learn while watching a tiny screen but at least we’re learning something. I wish everyone having a hard time good luck and hope you all stay safe. I know that it’s hard now but humankind has gone through worse right, what can’t we do? Just do your best and try to stay positive.

Justina Smith 4 years ago 4 years ago

I completely agree with a lot of the students on this website. Distance Learning is definitely a challenge when you have no motivation in your own home. I tend to find myself very distracted by every little thing in my bedroom, I also tend to procrastinate a lot. Distance learning has its downs but I have been learning at my own pace so it’s stressful in its own ways, just not as much.

Carlos Romero 4 years ago 4 years ago

Distance learning has been a struggle for me these past months since we started it. But if I am being honest it also has helped me understand way more things than I used to do before quarantine. But obviously it has its cons and pros like everything does. But I hope to keep on pushing forward with all the things that are happening right now.

Eloy Robledo 4 years ago 4 years ago

Distance Learning is a struggle for me at most times because I don't get to talk to friends about the assignments. My senior year of high school has not been the great year that I was expecting to go through. I thought I was going to finish my Senior year with happiness and Joy, but I didn't, I got it with boringness and a lot of struggle with assignments that are due the next day … Read More

Distance Learning is a struggle for me at most times because I don’t get to talk to friends about the assignments. My senior year of high school has not been the great year that I was expecting to go through. I thought I was going to finish my Senior year with happiness and Joy, but I didn’t, I got it with boringness and a lot of struggle with assignments that are due the next day or next week. My senior year might be the worst year but I could change that around by making myself motivated and get with friends after school every single day. I am struggling worse than being in regular school in a regular class.

justin santiago 4 years ago 4 years ago

To be honest i kind of like it. I can do things on my own time. One thing i can say is a struggle is just motivation to do the work but overall I’m doing okay. I feel like they should give out less homework considering the whole pandemic and everybody’s personal lives.

teairra 4 years ago 4 years ago

Distance learning, it’s been stressful with trying to get the work turned in on time and trying to actually learn what the teacher is teaching. We have so much work to do and it causes me to have a lot of missing work whereas in school we don’t have so much work to complete at one time.

Emran Parwani 4 years ago 4 years ago

It has been really hard to be in distant learning. Not only are students struggling to find motivation to do work, but teachers to teach their subject through screen. I lack motivation to do a lot of my work since I feel that I’m not learning anything.

Fatima Marentes 4 years ago 4 years ago

I feel that with Distance Learning, there are more cons than pros. I lack motivation to do a lot of my work since I feel that I’m not learning anything. It is also hard to communicate with teachers and students due to learning behind a screen.

Maryam Aljwabra 4 years ago 4 years ago

It has been really hard to be in distant learning. For me it is really hard to stay at home and do the same thing over and over. I like to try new things. When my teachers give me my homework I don't feel like I am working from all of my heart even though I am doing the homework. Even though I have been in America for four year and since English is new … Read More

It has been really hard to be in distant learning. For me it is really hard to stay at home and do the same thing over and over. I like to try new things. When my teachers give me my homework I don’t feel like I am working from all of my heart even though I am doing the homework. Even though I have been in America for four year and since English is new for me it’s hard to keep up with assignments. I miss my friend and my teachers. If I was at school even if the teachers give you a lot of homework you don’t feel like you have too much pressure on yourself but in distancing learning i feel really pressured on all sides.

Genesis Feliciano 4 years ago 4 years ago

I agree with a lot of these student. Specially if you're a senior, distance learning is a big challenge. I feel less motivated everyday since I spend many hours on the computer and phone trying to do homework and attend meetings. It sucks because I spend more time on a screen than with my own family. There is never a break to sit down with them or anything due to the load of work I … Read More

I agree with a lot of these student. Specially if you’re a senior, distance learning is a big challenge. I feel less motivated everyday since I spend many hours on the computer and phone trying to do homework and attend meetings. It sucks because I spend more time on a screen than with my own family. There is never a break to sit down with them or anything due to the load of work I have to do. By the time I am done, I am tired and all I want to do is relax or sleep. This has been really stressful and I do wish teachers could give less homework and more classwork (work to do during class with teachers and classmates). Everything is going down hill for me.

Jada Cooper 4 years ago 4 years ago

I feel a little less motivated but it does give you more family time than you had as usual. The teachers are giving out homework after homework. It is really stressful to keep up with all of my classes – especially when you are a senior and it is the most important year so you have to pass all of your classes to graduate.

Victor Duran 4 years ago 4 years ago

Distance learning is hard for everyone. Not only are students struggling to find motivation to do work, but teachers to teach their subject to an empty screen. School gave us a learning environment – in a sense it forced us to learn what you don’t get while at home.

Ngan Doan 4 years ago 4 years ago

I think I am good at distance learning so far. Teachers try to make the class easier for students, so they do not give too much homework. They also add more attempts for students when they take the tests. However, it is inconvenient when I need help from the teacher. I had to wait so long to get the email back from the teacher or meet at their office hours. Classwork and homework are easy … Read More

I think I am good at distance learning so far. Teachers try to make the class easier for students, so they do not give too much homework. They also add more attempts for students when they take the tests. However, it is inconvenient when I need help from the teacher. I had to wait so long to get the email back from the teacher or meet at their office hours. Classwork and homework are easy for me to manage because they are the same as usual.

I am concerned about college applications. As a senior student, I have many questions about colleges, financial aid, or scholarships. I think it will be better if I am in school. I could work the applications with my counselors. The coronavirus made me SAT cancel so many times. I am not sure I can get the score before the deadline for college application.

Giselle Gomez 4 years ago 4 years ago

Distance learning is something new to me just as it is to every student. We were all used to going to school in person and in just a matter of time, it went to us learning behind a screen. I feel we are so worried about being caught up and doing all the work that we do not get to actually learn something.

Chuong T. 4 years ago 4 years ago

Yes, I agree with all people in here. It is hard to communicate with teachers and friends. We can’t see each other. We cannot sit together and help each other like we are in school. Things that make me feel very frustrated are the lost connection, technology issues, and the district website. It is hard to study and understand a problem because something the screen or speaker is glitching or lagging. We don't get help … Read More

Yes, I agree with all people in here. It is hard to communicate with teachers and friends. We can’t see each other. We cannot sit together and help each other like we are in school. Things that make me feel very frustrated are the lost connection, technology issues, and the district website. It is hard to study and understand a problem because something the screen or speaker is glitching or lagging. We don’t get help in an effective way. It also didn’t help my orals skill and social interaction. Because of the distance learning, we study at home and don’t go outside much so it didn’t improve much my communication and social skills. Also it gives us less motivation because it makes us very bored and does not give us an interest in every lesson.

Hiwa Fatanum 4 years ago 4 years ago

I agree with Niya's opinion. When I was at school, there were resources available to help when I was in need. There were tutors to help with homework and college counselors there to guide me. There are online appointments for help, however I feel as it is not as affective than it would be in person. Personally, I need to be shown physically and visually how to complete work. Through video call it is often … Read More

I agree with Niya’s opinion. When I was at school, there were resources available to help when I was in need. There were tutors to help with homework and college counselors there to guide me. There are online appointments for help, however I feel as it is not as affective than it would be in person. Personally, I need to be shown physically and visually how to complete work. Through video call it is often hard for me to comprehend the help provided to me.

sayed idris 4 years ago 4 years ago

I feel like distance learning is just bad because teachers give work but can’t help us because there are so many more students.

Komalpreet Mangat 4 years ago 4 years ago

I agree with Niya. I also don’t learn that much in the distance learning but I try to turn my all work on time.

Sayed Sadat 4 years ago 4 years ago

I can agree with Nyia Mason, she said “At school, I feel like I was actually learning. But for distance learning, it feels like I am not learning to my full potential.” I feel the same way.

Symonni Hampton 4 years ago 4 years ago

I agree with Niya. It is definitely a struggle to get the work turned in on time during Distance Learning, especially when you have other sibling to help out and get them in their class meetings and help out with their class or homework. I feel as if I am not learning because of all the distractions at home. Sometimes there are technical issues and the teacher can't hear or see us. I would say … Read More

I agree with Niya. It is definitely a struggle to get the work turned in on time during Distance Learning, especially when you have other sibling to help out and get them in their class meetings and help out with their class or homework. I feel as if I am not learning because of all the distractions at home. Sometimes there are technical issues and the teacher can’t hear or see us. I would say that Distance Learning is a harder way to learn than to be on the school campus, inside the classrooms with other peers.

Kalissa 4 years ago 4 years ago

I agree with almost all of the students. It is very hard to concentrate at my house so I find it difficult learning and less motivated.

Kevin G 4 years ago 4 years ago

Yashika Joshi and Ricardo Castillo Fierro both have very good points. It is hard to stay motivated in this type of environment and it is even harder with a heavier workload and more difficult assignments.

jade 4 years ago 4 years ago

I agree with Niya I don’t seem to learn anything but trying to keep but with my work and trying to turn it, in time is stressful.

Emily 4 years ago 4 years ago

I agree with Ricardo’s opinion on online learning making it harder to get work done. At home there are a lot of distractions and it’s hard to focus or get motivated to work.

I also agree with Monishla. The work feels optional because we won’t have to directly face our teachers in class with the work. It’s hard to get yourself to do the required work each day.

miracle 4 years ago 4 years ago

Being in distance learning is very head spinning because sometimes the zoom does not work and some of the teachers do not know how to properly use the zoom calls but over all zoom calls are all right.

Lamar Holloway 4 years ago 4 years ago

When I was at school, the only thing I had to worry about was school. Now that we have to do everything from home; everything becomes a factor – dogs barking, babies crying, chores, etc. This has just made everything harder to handle along with trying to fight against COVID-19.

Alexis Hawes 4 years ago 4 years ago

With the online school, I just don’t feel motivated to do it and there is also a lot of distractions. Whereas in school we were pushed more and there were only a couple of distractions. Online school can also be very confusing to me sometimes. But in the end I try and get my work done.

Shu Yin Huang (Canita) 4 years ago 4 years ago

Personally, distantce learning has been convenient but also difficult. I don’t have to go to school, that means I will learn less by using Zoom. I really miss my school life, my classmates and participating in activities. I feel like I am less motivated to study. It is hard to manage my time. I hope everything will be fine and we can go to school as soon as possible,

Brian 4 years ago 4 years ago

Inevitably, it is really hard to study online. But the fact cannot be denied that it is one of the good ways to bind students with their subjects.

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Going the Distance: Why Online Learning Works

Learn more about the benefits of online learning, what online learning involves, and why it could be a good option for you.

Mary Sharp Emerson

There’s no debate that online learning has become a staple of higher education. And today’s online courses encompass a wide range of subjects and are more accessible than ever.

From current college students to people seeking a career change to professionals looking to update their skills, there is an online program for everyone. 

More than 6.5 million people were enrolled in some type of distance learning course offered through a degree-granting college or university in 2017, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.  

But why is online learning so popular, what methods make it effective, and where did it all begin? And most critically, how does the online educational experience match up to the traditional classroom? 

Let’s dig into the answers to these questions.

Distance Learning: New Technologies for an Old Practice

Distance learning online may be new, but the desire to learn from field experts from afar is not. In fact, all that’s really changed over the centuries—yes, centuries!—is the speed and style of communication.

For instance, in 1728, distance learning took place through correspondence courses in shorthand. Assignments were distributed and collected via parcel post.

In the early 1900s, radio emerged as a new educational opportunity. In 1919, for example, University of Wisconsin professors began the first federally licensed radio station dedicated to educational broadcasting.

However, truly functional distance learning remained little more than a fringe endeavor until the birth of the World Wide Web in 1991. 

Today, online learning is the fastest growing segment of education , even as overall enrollment at postsecondary institutions declines. It’s no wonder that 65 percent of institutions report that online learning is critical to their long-term strategic plans.

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Why Students Choose Online Courses

Learning styles are as varied as people themselves. While there’s no one “best” course format, research suggests that for some, online learning can be a rich experience. 

For instance, studies show that high self-efficacy often leads to success in online courses. In addition, computer literacy, good time management skills, and a positive attitude toward e-learning have been shown to be key characteristics of students who learn effectively in a blended learning environment.

In most cases, online and blended learning are as effective as a traditional classroom setting. But they may offer unmatched benefits for students studying part time or from a distance.

Scheduling flexibility

Most people agree that the biggest benefit of online courses is their flexibility. According to a recent study by Best Colleges , more than half of online learners have children at home or are currently working. Online courses offer the opportunity to complete classwork when it is most convenient, without sacrificing the quality of the educational experience.

Many online courses can be completed in the evenings, over the weekend, or during lunch hour. Assignments can be finished in large blocks or broken down into small sessions over the course of the day or the week. 

In other words, students can choose the schedule that works best for their particular situation.

Easy-to-use technologies facilitate collaboration

Many online courses today rely heavily on online learning platforms or learning management systems that allow collaboration between students and instructors. These are coupled with online discussion boards, one-on-one messaging, and of course, email for soliciting feedback, discussing concepts, and networking.

Most of these technologies are easy to use, a far cry from the unwieldy online conferencing tools of even a decade ago. Most can be downloaded as an app on a smartphone and/or laptop. And once installed, navigating through the course materials—whether live or recorded—is remarkably simple.  

Best of all, the technology used in online courses makes it possible for students with disabilities (whether they be visual, auditory, or physical) to participate fully in classes and discussions.

Plenty of career-boosting course options

Online learning offers thousands of courses designed to meet just about any individual goal, from anywhere with an internet connection. 

Online course technology lets institutions extend their opportunities to people living in regions with limited options. This not only expands educational options for those in remote or under-resourced areas, it allows them to network with professionals and experts in their desired field. 

Plus, the availability of workshops, individual courses, microcredentials, certificates, and degrees lets students tailor their pathway to fill particular gaps. 

Distance programs put learners of every age and background solidly in control of their development, allowing them to take just the courses they need to reach their goals. These factors are why online education is a foundation of the lifelong learning philosophy . 

Have questions? Talk to our Enrollment Services team

What are the different types of online courses? 

Today’s modern online classes offer the same quality of instruction, educational experience, and networking opportunities as the traditional classroom.

Generally speaking, there are three different types of online classes or courses to choose from:

• Asynchronous: Learners read or listen to course material on their own, at their own pace, completing assignments independently
• Synchronous: Students use video-conferencing platforms to interact in real-time with both instructors and classmates
• Blended: A mix of recorded lectures, slideshows, and PDFs can be accessed at any time for self-paced learning, coupled with regularly scheduled video conferencing for real-time interaction; some courses may even include campus visits for additional collaboration

The range of online formats ensures that anyone seeking to enrich their educational background outside of the traditional classroom can do so in the way that best suits them, without sacrificing the quality of the educational experience.

Moreover, the availability of self-paced, yet still interactive, distance education reflects a larger shift in education as a whole toward student-centered learning.

Why Distance Learning Works

Pedagogical theory in general has shifted away from behaviorism, in which learners were viewed as blank slates which could be filled with information and habits through drill and reward.

Today’s cognitive theory and constructivist teaching seek to understand how people build new knowledge within the framework of what they already know and understand. 

Constructivism in particular dictates that learners be at the helm of their own education, while instructors act as mediators who introduce ideas, ask questions, and encourage students to explore new ways of thinking on their own.

Online courses present a rich opportunity for this kind of teaching and learning. Students can absorb new information independently and come together to synthesize that information into real-world knowledge with classmates and instructors.

This ideal match between the theory of learning and the actual implementation of instruction may explain the success of students in online classes. 

Yet whatever the reason, this is certain: Online education is fundamentally changing the paradigm of higher education. It is opening up learning possibilities to students everywhere, in nearly every circumstance, and delivering that education in a way that is proving to be effective, convenient, and empowering.

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• Published: 25 January 2021

Online education in the post-COVID era

• Barbara B. Lockee 1  

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The coronavirus pandemic has forced students and educators across all levels of education to rapidly adapt to online learning. The impact of this — and the developments required to make it work — could permanently change how education is delivered.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the world to engage in the ubiquitous use of virtual learning. And while online and distance learning has been used before to maintain continuity in education, such as in the aftermath of earthquakes 1 , the scale of the current crisis is unprecedented. Speculation has now also begun about what the lasting effects of this will be and what education may look like in the post-COVID era. For some, an immediate retreat to the traditions of the physical classroom is required. But for others, the forced shift to online education is a moment of change and a time to reimagine how education could be delivered 2 .

Looking back

Online education has traditionally been viewed as an alternative pathway, one that is particularly well suited to adult learners seeking higher education opportunities. However, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has required educators and students across all levels of education to adapt quickly to virtual courses. (The term ‘emergency remote teaching’ was coined in the early stages of the pandemic to describe the temporary nature of this transition 3 .) In some cases, instruction shifted online, then returned to the physical classroom, and then shifted back online due to further surges in the rate of infection. In other cases, instruction was offered using a combination of remote delivery and face-to-face: that is, students can attend online or in person (referred to as the HyFlex model 4 ). In either case, instructors just had to figure out how to make it work, considering the affordances and constraints of the specific learning environment to create learning experiences that were feasible and effective.

The use of varied delivery modes does, in fact, have a long history in education. Mechanical (and then later electronic) teaching machines have provided individualized learning programmes since the 1950s and the work of B. F. Skinner 5 , who proposed using technology to walk individual learners through carefully designed sequences of instruction with immediate feedback indicating the accuracy of their response. Skinner’s notions formed the first formalized representations of programmed learning, or ‘designed’ learning experiences. Then, in the 1960s, Fred Keller developed a personalized system of instruction 6 , in which students first read assigned course materials on their own, followed by one-on-one assessment sessions with a tutor, gaining permission to move ahead only after demonstrating mastery of the instructional material. Occasional class meetings were held to discuss concepts, answer questions and provide opportunities for social interaction. A personalized system of instruction was designed on the premise that initial engagement with content could be done independently, then discussed and applied in the social context of a classroom.

These predecessors to contemporary online education leveraged key principles of instructional design — the systematic process of applying psychological principles of human learning to the creation of effective instructional solutions — to consider which methods (and their corresponding learning environments) would effectively engage students to attain the targeted learning outcomes. In other words, they considered what choices about the planning and implementation of the learning experience can lead to student success. Such early educational innovations laid the groundwork for contemporary virtual learning, which itself incorporates a variety of instructional approaches and combinations of delivery modes.

Online learning and the pandemic

Fast forward to 2020, and various further educational innovations have occurred to make the universal adoption of remote learning a possibility. One key challenge is access. Here, extensive problems remain, including the lack of Internet connectivity in some locations, especially rural ones, and the competing needs among family members for the use of home technology. However, creative solutions have emerged to provide students and families with the facilities and resources needed to engage in and successfully complete coursework 7 . For example, school buses have been used to provide mobile hotspots, and class packets have been sent by mail and instructional presentations aired on local public broadcasting stations. The year 2020 has also seen increased availability and adoption of electronic resources and activities that can now be integrated into online learning experiences. Synchronous online conferencing systems, such as Zoom and Google Meet, have allowed experts from anywhere in the world to join online classrooms 8 and have allowed presentations to be recorded for individual learners to watch at a time most convenient for them. Furthermore, the importance of hands-on, experiential learning has led to innovations such as virtual field trips and virtual labs 9 . A capacity to serve learners of all ages has thus now been effectively established, and the next generation of online education can move from an enterprise that largely serves adult learners and higher education to one that increasingly serves younger learners, in primary and secondary education and from ages 5 to 18.

The COVID-19 pandemic is also likely to have a lasting effect on lesson design. The constraints of the pandemic provided an opportunity for educators to consider new strategies to teach targeted concepts. Though rethinking of instructional approaches was forced and hurried, the experience has served as a rare chance to reconsider strategies that best facilitate learning within the affordances and constraints of the online context. In particular, greater variance in teaching and learning activities will continue to question the importance of ‘seat time’ as the standard on which educational credits are based 10 — lengthy Zoom sessions are seldom instructionally necessary and are not aligned with the psychological principles of how humans learn. Interaction is important for learning but forced interactions among students for the sake of interaction is neither motivating nor beneficial.

While the blurring of the lines between traditional and distance education has been noted for several decades 11 , the pandemic has quickly advanced the erasure of these boundaries. Less single mode, more multi-mode (and thus more educator choices) is becoming the norm due to enhanced infrastructure and developed skill sets that allow people to move across different delivery systems 12 . The well-established best practices of hybrid or blended teaching and learning 13 have served as a guide for new combinations of instructional delivery that have developed in response to the shift to virtual learning. The use of multiple delivery modes is likely to remain, and will be a feature employed with learners of all ages 14 , 15 . Future iterations of online education will no longer be bound to the traditions of single teaching modes, as educators can support pedagogical approaches from a menu of instructional delivery options, a mix that has been supported by previous generations of online educators 16 .

Also significant are the changes to how learning outcomes are determined in online settings. Many educators have altered the ways in which student achievement is measured, eliminating assignments and changing assessment strategies altogether 17 . Such alterations include determining learning through strategies that leverage the online delivery mode, such as interactive discussions, student-led teaching and the use of games to increase motivation and attention. Specific changes that are likely to continue include flexible or extended deadlines for assignment completion 18 , more student choice regarding measures of learning, and more authentic experiences that involve the meaningful application of newly learned skills and knowledge 19 , for example, team-based projects that involve multiple creative and social media tools in support of collaborative problem solving.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, technological and administrative systems for implementing online learning, and the infrastructure that supports its access and delivery, had to adapt quickly. While access remains a significant issue for many, extensive resources have been allocated and processes developed to connect learners with course activities and materials, to facilitate communication between instructors and students, and to manage the administration of online learning. Paths for greater access and opportunities to online education have now been forged, and there is a clear route for the next generation of adopters of online education.

Before the pandemic, the primary purpose of distance and online education was providing access to instruction for those otherwise unable to participate in a traditional, place-based academic programme. As its purpose has shifted to supporting continuity of instruction, its audience, as well as the wider learning ecosystem, has changed. It will be interesting to see which aspects of emergency remote teaching remain in the next generation of education, when the threat of COVID-19 is no longer a factor. But online education will undoubtedly find new audiences. And the flexibility and learning possibilities that have emerged from necessity are likely to shift the expectations of students and educators, diminishing further the line between classroom-based instruction and virtual learning.

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15 Benefits of Distance Learning for Students, Parents, and Teachers

Today’s learning environments take full advantage of new technology to make lessons more interactive and engaging. As a result, educators are seeing the benefits of distance learning and finding ways to include those opportunities in their curriculum. 

What are the pros of distance learning? Though the shift to remote learning might’ve been jarring at first, let’s look at how this new learning opportunity can benefit students, educators, and parents alike.

Top strategies for stronger distance learning

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6 Advantages of Distance Learning for Students

No more forgotten homework.

With coursework and school resources digitized, students have instant access everything they need. Now, keeping track of assignments, tests, and projects as simple as checking your phone. Not only does this mean that students don’t have to lug heavy backpacks around quite as much, but it also means students can stay organized. As a bonus, they’ll be able to learn how to navigate these resources on their own.

Reduced Social Anxiety

Education is not ‘one size fits all’. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America , approximately 15 million Americans suffer from a social anxiety disorder, or SAD. Many of these cases start around the time a child is 13. For students who experience social anxiety, traditional school can pose a number of problems. From the school bus to the classroom to the cafeteria, students may be overwhelmed by the various social situations and dynamics packed into a single school day. With online school or virtual classes, students may be able to feel more confident in their interactions and perform better in their studies.

Flexible Scheduling Opportunities

For many students, school is only one half of the story. Trying to schedule work shifts with school (and homework) can be overwhelming for students. Luckily, distance learning offers more flexibility with scheduling than traditional classes. Students may have an easier time balancing both work and school with virtual classes. While education is important, every family and student’s financial situation is different, and distance learning helps to accommodate that reality.

Stay Healthy and Keep Others Safe

The COVID-19 pandemic taught us the importance of wearing masks and maintaining social distance as a way of protecting each other. With distance learning, children can stay home when sick without missing out on too many lessons. Not only is this a more comfortable way to learn when they’re under the weather, but it also shows the teacher that you value the well-being of the entire class.

Accessibility for Everyone

Though the world continues to make strides, there are unfortunately still places that aren’t accessible to everyone. Adding remote learning to your education system opens up new doors for students who can’t always make it to a physical classroom. Allowing students to learn where they are comfortable also reduces missed lessons and contributes to better learning.

Related: How to Build the Foundation of an Accessible Online Course

Self-Paced Learning

Offering students the chance to learn at their own pace comes with many advantages. Students can feel more engaged in the material without the additional pressure from classmates—whether they’re worried about being a ‘know-it-all’ or if they’re concerned they’re falling behind. Because remote learning is often more self-paced, students can review the material as often as needed and advance past already known subjects.

5 Benefits of Distance Learning for Parents and Educators

No more commute.

Distance learning and remote education have one big thing in common — there’s no commute. That means you save on gas money and time. You also don’t have to constantly worry about when the school bus is arriving. Enjoy the extra time in your day!

Works With Atypical Work Schedules

If you have an opposing work schedule from your child’s school schedule, this arrangement frees both of you up a little more. With more flexibility and less commuting, your schedules can work better together. Sometimes, it’s a nice break to have a different daytime structure.

Parents Can Get to Know Their Child’s Classmates

If your child has a very wide friend group, you might not have been able to meet them all just yet. But if you get to casually sit in on a digital study session, you’ll be more aware of what’s going on in your child’s social life.

Parents Can See What Their Child is Learning

Some children can be very chatty about their school day. Others, not so much. By being able to listen in on particular lectures, parents can turn the information learned into meaningful conversations, furthering their child’s learning experience. It’s important for parents to show interest in their child’s education. With distance learning, that’s easier than ever.

Reduced Overall Cost of School

Especially in America, students have more overall costs to their education—things like housing, meals, and transportation—and that’s in addition to tuition fees . Just living on campus for a single year can add $10,000-$20,000 onto their bill. 

Allowing students to learn from remote locations (by working with tools such as smart whiteboard technology) can save them quite a bit of money. With school costs down, students can maximize their learning experience by spending more time studying and less time fretting over financials.

Related: Best Practices for Distance Learning

4 Ways Distance Learning Positively Effects Life Skills

Make the most out of digital whiteboards.

Having a smart whiteboard can be extremely beneficial, especially when it comes to sharing documents and conversing with the class over Zoom . Being able to see the rest of the class on such a wide screen can keep students more focused and alert for the lesson itself. Smart whiteboards also encourage collaborative learning. Students can work on the same digital canvas simultaneously with other students to bring the best of in-person learning to the virtual class environment.

Prepare Students to Work From Home in the Future

While there are a lot of benefits to distance learning, working remotely has even more benefits. For one, adults can work on home projects while also staying connected to their team in the office. Many have found that a work-life balance is far more achievable with remote work. And here’s the thing: remote work is here to stay. When your child grows up, they may also end up working from home. Having them practice the art of staying motivated and productive at a young age is great practice for the future.

Distance Learning Teaches Time Management

While some students may find distance learning difficult, it gives them the chance to develop time management skills . These essential skills will help maintain a work-life balance and offer students an opportunity to complete projects before deadlines. Teaching students how to better manage their spare time can be challenging, but also worthwhile. 

Related: Get the Most Out of Your Learning Management System

Broader Networking Opportunities

While they may miss out on the chance to network locally with peers, students often gain a more significant network when they switch over to remote learning. Suddenly, the entire world is at their fingertips. This kind of opportunity can open many doors for both high school and college students. For example, let’s say your child wants to learn a new style of culinary cooking. Before distance learning, their options would be limited to local teachers and classes. Now, they can learn from masters all around the world in virtual classes.

Disadvantages of Distance Learning

Although there are many different advantages to distance education, there can be some places where students struggle. Being aware of these pitfalls can help them prepare to make the most of distance learning in a digital era.

Some disadvantages of remote learning include the following:

Strong Self-Motivation is Required

Because students are in control of setting aside time to learn and complete assignments, they must be able to focus. Learning on their own requires a sense of responsibility, self-control, and the willpower to work on things even when the subject matter is challenging or motivation is lacking. Not everyone can do this by themselves. Consider pairing your student up with an accountability partner from their class.

May Hinder Student’s Communication Skill Development

Because most of the learning is done digitally, a virtual classroom may result in little human interaction with others. This can make it difficult for younger students or those who struggle with communication to further develop those skills. There’s also the learning curve of having to communicate via a device. Zoom fatigue is a very real thing, and virtual communicating requires a different skill set than in-person.

Lack of Practical Experience

While you can learn many things through videos, some skills require physical exercises to learn properly. Even simulators cannot replace live practice. For example, a vet tech can learn a lot through online courses, but hands-on experience is important for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

The Problem of User Identification

Currently, the most effective way to evaluate students is through tests. While most credits are given through honesty, the only way to verify the absorbed knowledge is with virtual proctors or additional surveillance during test periods. That’s not always possible, so many schools still rely on in-person exams.

Related: Distance, Hybrid, and Blended Learning: What’s the Difference?

The Future of Distance Learning

Schools that switched to mostly digital learning in the past year might not be ready to return to in-person lessons quite yet. In some cases, schools are planning to offer a hybrid learning curriculum. That’s because students, educators, and parents alike have all noted the benefits of distance learning that make it an incredibly viable long-term option. 

This new age of learning has opened new doors for people to learn in a new way. Distance learning connects students to the right teachers and allows for a more broad scope of subjects. As technology expands and distance learning continues to be relevant, education technology will only improve.

Learn how to make Vibe an integral part of your distance and hybrid learning classroom by registering for one of our upcoming webinars , or check out our Teacher and Educator FAQs .

[ Editor’s note: this post was originally published July 3, 2021, and was updated Feb 7, 2023. ]

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Advantages & Disadvantages of Distance Learning

Given the current unfavourable financial prerequisites and implications involved with traditional learning in the UK, it’s no wonder that distance learning – or ‘home learning’ or ‘e-learning’ – continues to soar as an alternative approach to higher education amongst individuals looking to gain a certified qualification. Around 21% of British people have completed an online learning course of some kind.

Anybody qualifies for distance learning courses but most distance learners tend to be people who are too busy with other responsibilities – be it work, family or both – to commit to a full-time, traditional course at a higher education institution.

Under these circumstances, to be able to study in the comfort of your own home and work at your own pace is generally far more appealing than the idea of travelling long distances and struggling to keep up with peers.

Here at Oxford Learning College, we appreciate that studying a course online might not be for everyone – which is why we’ve summarised a few of the main advantages and disadvantages of distance learning to help you decide for yourself if it’s going to be right for you.

Advantages of Distance Learning

There are many distance learning advantages for those who want a change from traditional classroom-based, in-person learning. Let’s take a look at some of the key advantages of online learning below.

Flexibility

Flexibility is of course the key benefit of e-learning. Unlike traditional courses, you don’t have to plan your entire day around your studies; your studies can be planned around other responsibilities.

At the beginning of a course, you’ll be given deadlines for various modules and coursework assignments, and it’s up to you to decide when, where, and for how long you are going to study. You can also study around other commitments like work or family time, giving you freedom to create a work-study balance.

A homely, quiet learning space with comfy sofas, cups of tea and an ample supply of biscuits at your fingertips versus a crowded, stuffy lecture theatre with a desk the size of a cookbook and no light refreshments in sight; there is no competition really, especially when you consider the added stress of actually getting to the latter.

A peaceful and agreeable learning environment brings out the best in any learner, and courses from home are more likely to help establish this. For those who find a busy classroom or lecture hall overwhelming, studying at home can provide a much more productive environment.

Instant Support & Updates

Another of the main advantages of online education is that everything is instantaneous. Tutors are able to quickly create and communicate updates to courses just as easily as students are able to receive and respond to such changes and messages.

Online support is nearly always available at the click of a mouse, either through instant or, probably in most cases, video messaging services, and lectures can be delivered to thousands of students at a time, with none of the squinting or fear of speaking up you get with university lectures.

Cost of Online Learning

As you might expect, the cost of implementing online learning courses is much lower than that of traditional courses, where hiring classrooms, printing necessary course materials, and the physical presence of staff at lectures are basic requirements.

Thus, the cost for students is significantly reduced too, and they can be assured that more of the money they do spend is being invested on actually improving/researching courses, rather than on imposed overheads. This is another of the benefits of distance learning that appeals to students.

Distance Learning is Eco-friendly

Needless to say, distance learning provides an alternative to paper-based learning and students don’t have to travel to and from lectures, meaning the CO2 emissions are reduced substantially.

Energy is also saved on lighting and heating large lecture halls and electronic equipment that might be used in classroom settings.

Disadvantages of Distance Learning

As we mentioned earlier, distance learning may not be the right choice for everyone. While there are plenty of benefits of e-learning, there are some things you should consider if you’re unsure if it will work for you.

Here are some of the possible disadvantages of online learning for some people.

You Need to be Disciplined

With greater learner autonomy comes greater responsibility, particularly where discipline and organisation are concerned. Distance learners can’t afford to take their eye off the ball even for just a couple of days, since there is nobody around to remind them of deadlines or incredibly important announcements.

It is essential that emails are checked and study timetables are stuck to, no matter what, or else students will quickly fall behind.

Isolation and Lack of Community

Although studying at home may create a more comfortable learning environment, students are of course left to tackle the course without the support and camaraderie of fellow peers, and as a result, can become frustrated or demotivated.

Furthermore, distance learning centres are often few and far between so face-to-face encounters are very rare. Social network groups offer an adequate alternative but naturally learners will feel more confident about discussing course content if they have previously met their peers.

Hands-off Learning Approach

Online learning doesn’t appeal to all learning styles so some people may find that they don’t enjoy the experience. Anyone suited to practical, hands-on learning, for example, will have to adapt to the new approach and might find they get easily frustrated.

Similarly, learners who feel they benefit strongly from going over learned material in small groups will find the process more challenging.

Technical Issues

Most can relate to the infuriation brought about by a computer randomly switching itself off when work hasn’t been saved, or a poor internet connection preventing you from reading and responding to emails. For distance learners, however, the repercussions of such disastrous moments are far greater.

No working device or no internet means you are completely locked out, so it’s crucial that all your devices are functioning properly and you have a reliable internet connection wherever you plan to work.

Diminished Social Life!

Unfortunately, there’s no way around this one; your social life will be impacted by your studies and you must have the discipline to both accept and endure this. However, all those Friday nights spent sitting in front of a computer screen researching or re-editing (for the fifth time) a 2500-word assignment will pay off in the long run, and you’ll have saved a good deal of pub money too. Just focus on tea and biscuits instead of lager and crisps, and you’ll be fine.

For more detail on our Distance Learning courses head over to our courses page, or, if you’re already signed up, check out our post on top time management tips for distance learners !

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113 Distance Education Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best distance education topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 good essay topics on distance education, ⭐ interesting topics to write about distance education, ✅ simple & easy distance education essay titles.

• Online Classes Vs. Traditional Classes Essay The essay shall endeavor to examine the differences between online classes and the traditional classes, with a preference for the later.
• Impact of Online Classes on Students Essay The thesis statement for this study is: “online learning has positive impact on the learners, teachers and the institution offering these courses” Online learning or E learning is a term used to describe various learning […] We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
• Benefits of Online Learning This knowledge and skill one gains from online help the person to intermingle with others in a better way, progress their profession, or develop their business successfully.
• Comparison of Stress Level Among Traditional Learning and Online Learning College Students The distance learners have been perceived to be enjoying a suitable environment of learning as opposed to the traditional classroom learners who experience high levels of stress.
• Traditional vs. Distance Learning Systems On the other hand, in online learning, the students partake learning individually, and in some cases, students doing the same course in the same college do not even get to know each other.
• How to Succeed in Online Classes The time you attend the class has to coincide with the time of day when your brain is also most receptive to the information it receives.
• Virtual Learning: Yes and No Argumentation The argument stems from the quality of the education that can be received via the internet and what the drawbacks are once there is no physical contact between students and the professors.
• Online Learning and Classroom Learning Combining the two concepts then, we can define e-learning “as a learning environment that exists solely in the form of digital content that is stored, accessed and exchanged through networked computer and information systems” The […]
• Personal Reflections for the MBA Distance Learning I was able to concentrate on various subjects, complete assignments, and liaise with different instructors throughout the learning process. The approach made the learning process desirable and capable of supporting my aims.
• The Importance of Online Learning For this purpose, it is possible to conduct classes in real-time, when they can ask and receive the opinion of others.
• Distance Learning: Advantages and Limitations All three articles cover the topic of distance learning in the context of the coronavirus and everyday practice. Speaking of the advantages of distance learning, the author suggests that remote learning may not be ideal […]
• Learning Objectives Implementation With the advent of the internet, online courses have sprouted resulting in the debate on the two options, traditional class setting, and the online class.
• Distance Learning and Its Evolution Definitions of distance education are varied and diverse, but the main concept of distance learning can be summarized from the situation wherein the student and the educator are separated by distance and time and the […]
• Changes in Learning and Motivation With the Advent of Online Learning Institutions of learning have introduced online learning through improvement of infrastructure, incorporation of new technologies in learning, recruitment of professionals who are conversant with new technologies, and revision of curriculums in order to accommodate new […]
• The Importance of Virtual Learning Communities The learning communities enable the instructors and the students to volunteer their questions. The virtual learning communities enable online degree programs to give students autonomy over the learning process.
• Online Learning Is a Superior Form of Education This paper will argue that online learning is a superior form of education since it helps students and learning institutes to overcome limitations imposed by the traditional learning environment.
• Zoom for Online Learning Updates During the pandemic, the zoom was and is still the most downloaded App in the USA and globally compared to others.
• The Roles of Families in Virtual Learning By analyzing the various roles that families play in virtual learning, the authors demonstrate that family involvement and support are critical to the success of their children The authors begin by discussing the impact of […]
• Distance Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic The radical transition from the traditional system of obtaining knowledge to virtual education actualizes research related to the analysis of the specifics and dysfunctions of distance learning.
• The Need for Online Learning at St. Francis Elementary School This has led to the need to design an online learning platform suitable for interactive and critical learning experiences by the tutors and their learners.
• Online Learning Perception and Effectiveness While the solution allowed students to access information and continue their studies, there was apprehension in regard to the efficacy of online learning and the outcomes such shifts have on students’ academic performances.
• Distance Learning of Forest Management Considering that the goal of the research was to analyze the results and implications of a practical approach to the forest management course engagement and e-learning development, most information was derived from the expert team […]
• The Impact of Distance Learning on the Mental State The argument of the supporters of the first perspective is based on the fact that online education reduces the ability of students to concentrate and deteriorates overall motivation.
• A Distance Learning Program: Strategies for Successful Starting or Expanding An institution has to identify the most appropriate communication tools and media to be used by students and teachers in a distance learning program.
• Starting and Expanding Distance Learning Program Therefore, decision-makers must grapple with the problem of distant learning planning, as institutions are caught between the desire to serve students online and the requirement to maintain traditional student services.
• Factors for Teachers’ Motivation in Distance Learning Efficient communication with the administration of an institution is a crucial factor that affects the motivation of teachers in distance learning.
• Strengths and Weaknesses of Online Learning Amidst that confusion, it would be important to take a deep look into the subject and see the disadvantages and the advantages of online learning.
• Pros and Cons of Distance Education On the one hand, modernization of education allows it to expand the usual boundaries of transmitting and receiving information in the educational process while retaining all the integral components.
• Rhetorical Analysis of the Distance Education The essay can be addressed both to the children and parents for whom the issues of health and psychology are important.
• Distance Learning Experiences of In-Service Music Teachers From Puerto Rico The study explores the experiences of in-service music teachers in distance learning. This paper examines the motivations of in-service teachers in distance learning.
• Design Thinking for Online Learning Project In this paper, attention will be paid to the problem of a lack of engagement with online learning and a reflection on design thinking as its solution.
• Maximizing the Effectiveness of Online Learning Flipped learning allows the teacher to provide the greatest amount of time for direct interaction with students, which is especially important in the framework of online learning.
• New Online Learning Platform: Market Analysis The goal of online education is to enhance the knowledge of people who want to pursue a particular career for a fee that is lesser when compared to offline studies in Universities.
• Software Engineering Online Learning Center However, it is not easy to tell what the website is promoting just by the look of the homepage and thus, visitors with less time might not be interested to click to the sub-sections and […]
• Distance Education Problem Overview Generally, distance education can be evaluated as a binary prospect: on one hand, it presents a row of advantages for the people who are busy with their work and family duties, and on the other […]
• Negotiation: Distance Learning and Social Change The conflict that arises, in this case, is that the Pirates are demanding ransom money from the owners of the tanker in order to release it and its crew. The essay has given a detailed […]
• Online Learning in Jordan Universities: Effectiveness and Obstruction For the quality learning process, e-learning has been developed to use different approaches to ease the process of learning. E-learning is a novel idea in most of the Arab world and it has come with […]
• Online Learning Institutions and Courses This account allows you to access the online learning institutions library. Which are the most reliable online learning institutions?
• Professional Development Methods: Distance Education Technologies Professional development at universities has included methods to assist faculty in improving course design and educational methods, as well as in becoming familiar with and applying educational technologies, such as distance education tools. These centers […]
• Why Distance Education Can Fulfill the Purpose of a True Education? The only reason I can see for professors to frown upon distance education is that it has removed their infallibility in the eyes of the students.
• Earning a Degree Through Distance Education Though both foreign and traditional education institutions provide knowledge and skills to students in order to enable them become competent in their profession, the institutions vary in the quality of degree courses they provide to […]
• Online Learning in Vocational Education and Training There are different variations in the process of learning on the basis of the types of combination and integration with the other technologies used for the teaching and learning process.
• Distance Learning Fulfilling Education Purpose Distance learning mode of education, which is a kind of education that takes place when the teachers and the students are separated by space and time, does not entirely serve the purpose of education. The […]
• Distributed and Distance Learning Systems It is a system that can be of great impact to the researchers this is because one is able to get information that will help him or her get a cue for that group that […]
• Social Constructivism in Cooperative and Distance Learning As opposed to the behaviorist view of learning which gives more importance to the imitation aspects of the learner in the learning process, this constructivist theory gives greater room for the active interaction of the […]
• Online Learning and Learning Behaviours In such a way, the main reason for the creation of this project is the increased popularity of online learning and the need for the in-depth investigation of this phenomenon because of its increased demand.
• Nurses and Virtual Learning Environments: Understanding Limits in Nursing Education Despite the expected benefits and improvements in nursing education due to the use of virtual learning environments, this practice may create a number of challenges for students and teachers.
• Online Learning Design Specifications The rapid rise of technologies and the evolution of communication means resulted in the appearance of new approaches to the learning process.
• Innovative Social Networking in Online High School The preparedness of the school is also critical towards the success of this innovative technology. The school should also examine the benefits and bottlenecks of the new technology.
• Online Classes for High School Students I wish to submit to you that the need for extra input in terms of study has caused many parents to enroll their children in online study classes to supplement the knowledge they get from […]
• Online Learning Environments The questions will be posted to the group by the instructor. The learners are likely to face a number of challenges in the course of the module.
• Evaluating Online Learning Tools The learners can be referred to reliable wikis and blogs to integrate the ideas learnt from the class. In this manner, the desires of people to learn are not limited by distance and time.
• Online Learning Principles and Objectives In this way, the students will not only argue the purposes and significance of the course to their life, but also create an interactive session among the students and their instructor. As the instructor, I […]
• Online Learning Space Creating Process On the other hand, a community of practice has been known to mean a crowd of people who are in the same career or share the same interest.
• Distance Learning and Virtual High School This implies that district schools in lines with virtual High school are of much importance to both the educators and students.
• Distance Education: Best Practices and Approaches The study with the use of a case-based learning system undertaken by Cifuentes, Mercer, Alverez, and Bettati in 2010 demonstrated that students could remotely participate in the learning process without the need to be physically […]
• Online Learning and Innovations in Pedagogy On the other hand, computer-based learning can be understood as a learning environment in which computers are used to mediate between learners and content without necessarily being online.
• Efficient Interaction in Distance Learning Classroom The problem is that the number of enrolments in the online form of education is augmenting, even as the knowledge regarding the factors that influence the effectiveness of distance education continues to be scarce.
• Virtual Learning Environments: Effective Use Tutors often face the challenge of effective delivery of lessons in the classroom given the diverse categories of students. Learning objects basically refer to blocks of content that can be interlinked to produce a course.
• Using Wikis to Encourage Online Classes Collaborative Work The problem is that the entire process seems to ignore the relevance of enabling students to interact and share their ideas in the learning environment.
• Technology Acceptance Model of Online Learning The findings of the study demonstrate the effectiveness of external variables related to online learning environments in predicting the ability of users to adopt online learning community.
• Formulating an Online Learning Course Reviewing is done from the student side where a person analyzes the content and readability of the information contained in the online learning program.
• Tone Impact in Distance Education Thus, in this paper, the tone will refer to the tone the instructor implies in the text material and the tone of conversations between the instructors and the students.
• Ethical Issues in Online Learning The online assessment methods should consider the ethical issues arising from the learning process. The assessment methods should be able to prevent all forms of dishonesty during the learning process.
• Virtual Learning Environment: Concord Consortium The problem is that this capitalization can be perceived as sign of rudeness, and it can make reluctant to take part in the discussion. Provided that a teacher can promote the involvement of students, they […]
• High School of Virtual Learning Environment The aim will be to see incorporation of the system, the opportunities, and the challenges faced while using Virtual Learning Environment.
• Transition From Traditional Education to Online Learning The speed of information transfer at any time and anywhere through the internet makes online learning relatively cheap compared to the traditional education system.
• Distance Learning OL and Interactive Video in Higher Education The two-way communication systems as well as the need to interact ‘physically’ between and among the participants are what propelled the adoption of this mode of learning.
• Distance Learning Foundational Concepts Another problem that arises as a result of distance learning is the lack of face to face or one on one contact between teachers or instructors and their students.
• Convenience and Flexibility of the Online Classes The advantage of online courses for full or part-time employed individuals is that you can plan how you take your courses. Online classes also introduce students to a variety of web-based tools and techniques that […]
• Concept of Distance Learning in Modern Education System The accessibility of the distance learning courses mainly depend on the awareness of the instructor to the accessibility issues and how the instructor can best handle the course with consideration of accessibility.
• Creating Student Engagement in Online Learning Environment To contribute to creating and stimulating student engagement in online learning environments, it is important to focus on such factors as the increase of students’ motivation, focus on independent and inquiry-based learning, the active role […]
• Administrative Progressivism in Relation to Online Learning The main idea of the discussion is to consider online learning from the perspective of administrative progressivism with identifying the advantages and disadvantages of using the mentioned approach along with the chosen method of study.
• Computer and Internet Facilities Use in Distance Education
• Asynchronous Distance Education Issues
• Distance Education, Leadership, and Management
• Teaching and Learning Online: Contextualizing the Distance Education Classroom as a “Safe Space” for Learning
• Nursing and Distance Education: Regulation and Legislation
• Tertiary Distance Education and Student Adjustment
• Accreditation Need and Distance Education
• Adult Students’ Problems in the Distance Education and Online Learning
• Distance Education Student’s Experiences of Participation and Inclusion in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
• Impact of Distance Education on Higher Education Across the World
• Factors That Influence Learning Outcomes of Adult Students Enrolled in Distance Education
• Computer and Long Distance Education
• Distance Education and Low Education
• Tips for Managers Setting up a Distance Education Program
• Distance Education Theory: Dialog, Structure, and Learner Autonomy
• The Benefits and Future of Distance Education
• Distance Education Investment Reasons
• How Distance Education Has Changed the World of Education
• Distance Education Practice: Methods and Benefits
• Rural Versus Urban Students – Differences in Accessing and Financing
• Academic Success Factors: Distance Education Versus Traditional
• Online Education Versus Distance Education Versus Face-To-Face Learning
• The Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Education
• Theoretical Framework for Distance Education
• Measuring Perseverance and Passion in Distance Education Students: Psychometric Properties of the Grit Questionnaire and Associations With Academic Performance
• Distance Education and Its Impact on the World
• Face-To-Face and Distance Education Modalities in the Training of Healthcare Professional
• Distance Education Has Changed the World: Evolution of Online Learning
• Old Apprehensions, New Anxieties: A Study of Student ‘Psychological Cost’ in Traditional and Distance Education
• Distance Education Issue and Its Significance
• The Missing Borders: Pedagogical Reflections From Distance Education
• Distance Education and Telecommunications Technologies
• Time Management for Distance Education
• How Distance Education Can Help Poorer and Developing Countries
• College Distance Education Courses: Evaluating Benefits
• The Necessity for Distance Education and E-Learning
• Distance Education for Students With Disabilities
• Pros and Cons of Online Distance Education vs. Traditional Education
• Distance Education and the Isolation of Rural Schools
• Finding Determinants Affecting Distance Education Effectiveness in Terms of Learner Satisfaction and Application Achievement
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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Distance Learning: Advantages and Disadvantages

Introduction, the essence of distance learning, advantages and disadvantages of distance learning, works cited.

Computer and information technologies have significantly affected all spheres of human life. These technologies have also changed the field of education, since the improvement and development of this direction is one of the main mechanisms that make up the public life of the United States. Thus, a new form of distance learning has appeared in modern human life, which, along with the traditional form, has taken an important place in our society. This kind of training allows not only to study but also to improve the qualification level of its users.

The research paper offered to the reader is devoted to the concept of distance learning, as well as its advantages and disadvantages. The question of the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning has been in the focus of research attention especially against the background of a general quarantine, which justifies the actuality of this topic. To facilitate the preparation of this final project, the author formulates the problem in several forms of proposals, namely:

• Analysis of the phenomenon of distance learning.
• Analysis of the pros and cons of distance learning.

This study focuses on analyzing the pros and cons of distance learning, as well as predicting its further application. The results of this study are of practical use, because they will be of interest to students and teachers who are choosing whether to switch to remote learning.

Sawsan Abuhammad, the Assistant Professor in Jordan University of Science and Technology, in his article “Barriers to distance learning during the COVID-19 outbreak: A qualitative review from parents’ perspective” (2020) states the following. The author claims that many parents have faced serious problems in the process of distance learning of their children. The author believes that the barriers that arose among the parents were of a personal, financial and technical nature. The author also states that these barriers need to be eliminated with the help of some changes, including through communication with other parents and students.

The author used the social network Facebook to recognize local groups, as well as keywords including distance learning, parents and Jordan. The author used a general qualitative method and analyzed all the messages and posts of parents related to this topic. This article was written by the author in order to describe and clarify the ideas of parents about the obstacles to distance learning during the coronavirus crisis (Abuhammad). The main audience of this article is parents, as well as persons representing the government and making decisions regarding distance learning. Thus, in the process of distance learning, many parents have various barriers that need to be overcome. We intend to use this source to demonstrate the problems and difficulties of distance learning.

Živko Bojović, Petar D. Bojović, Dušan Vujošević and Jelena Šuh, in their article “Education in times of crisis: Rapid transition to distance learning” (2020), state the following. They claim that the pandemic crisis has a negative effect on the standard of living and education. The authors believe that violation can pose a serious threat, and therefore a working model is needed that will allow switching from the traditional form of training to distance learning quickly and painlessly. The authors also argue that distance learning is acceptable on a long-term basis, if it is implemented correctly.

The authors of this article used a modeling method that allowed them to determine organizational and technical solutions for maintaining the quality of teaching. In addition, the authors used the method of comparative analysis of the survey data of students and teachers. The article was written by the authors in order to facilitate the transition from traditional learning to distance learning against the background of the pandemic and quarantine (Bojović et al.). The model developed by them has many advantages and thoughtful solutions. The main audience of this article is teachers and other representatives of educational institutions who face the difficult task of implementing distance learning. We intend to use this article to better understand the essence of distance learning, as well as its advantages.

Tim Surma and Paul A. Kirschner in their article, “Technology enhanced distance learning should not forget how learning happens” (2020), state the following. They believe that the traditional type of learning is under threat due to the accelerated process of adapting the traditional learning process to a new, remote one. They argue that modern technologies are both a danger and a chance for education to reach a completely new level.

The authors of this article used the methods of surveys and interviews to find out the attitude of students and teachers to the new form of education, and to track the progress in learning. This article was written by the authors in order to provide the importance of clear guidelines and optimal use of distance learning technologies (Surma and Kirschner). Moreover, the authors identified important principles that will help students get used to a new form of education, for example, feedback and an individual approach. The main audiences of this article are students, parents and teachers who will be interested in this information for the successful implementation of distance learning. We intend to use this article to understand the possible future prospects of the distance learning method.

John Traxler, the Professor of Digital Learning in the Institute of Education at the University of Wolverhampton, in his article, “Distance Learning—Predictions and Possibilities” (2018), states the following. The author claims that the definition of distance learning is not clear, but vague and changeable. The author considers the process of distance learning in a global context and studies the issue of adaptation and implementation of distance learning. The author believes that people should be ready for global changes, be open and aware, since changes are inevitable.

The author of this article uses observation and comparison methods that allow determining the essence of distance learning, the danger of pressure on educational institutions, as well as the importance of innovations in education. This article was written by the author in order to create a complete understanding of the phenomenon of distance education in a global context (Traxler). In addition, this article demonstrates the difficulties of distance learning application in conditions of ignorance or isolation. The main audience of this article is teachers, students and parents who want to get acquainted in more detail with the concept of distance learning in a global context. We intend to use this article to learn more about what distance learning is, as well as its goals and objectives.

The main benefit of distance learning is that it allows a person to study anywhere, but requires a computer and the Internet. The material is easily accessible and easy to handle and structure, and it also has all the necessary features that students of higher educational institutions need. In addition, the student is free to build their own individual training schedule, depending on their free time and desire to study (Lassoued et al.). The difference between classical distance learning and its more advanced form is small – the lack of personal communication between students and teachers (Bojović et al.). In this paper, the pros and cons of distance learning will be considered, but first it is required to understand the very essence of distance learning.

In the process of remote learning, students and teachers are at a significant spatial and temporal distance from each other. Teachers use a variety of computer technologies to make the process of remote learning as interesting and useful for students as possible (Schneider and Council). Distance type of education has an important goal-to expand opportunities and provide new services for those people who want to acquire new skills or change their profession. There are six main forms of distance learning, which are the most common.

• external education;
• university education;
• training that involves the cooperation of several educational institutions;
• creation of specialized institutions where distance classes are held;
• autonomous learning systems;
• special multimedia courses that differ in a certain informal component.

At the same time, different technologies are combined: pedagogical, informational, and often andragogic. There is a British synchronous model of distance learning and an American asynchronous one. Distance education is a new, specific form of education, somewhat different from the usual forms of full-time or distance learning (Dietrich et al.). As for the present, the real contingent of potential students can include those who are often on business trips, military personnel, women on maternity leave, and people with physical disabilities. In addition, this category consists of those who want to get additional education with a lack of time. Distance learning has several key characteristics that are important to consider when analyzing this type of learning.

• flexible and convenient schedule of classes;
• modularity;
• mass character;
• active mutual communication and a variety of communication tools;
• the totality of knowledge and orientation to the independence of students, to the motivation of learning.

Indeed, the effectiveness of distance learning directly depends on those teachers who work with students on the Internet. Such teachers should be psychologically ready to work with students in a new educational and cognitive network environment. Another problem is the infrastructure of student information support in networks. The question of what the structure and composition of the educational material should be remains open. Also, the question is raised about the conditions of access to distance learning courses.

Analyzing the components of distance learning related to the educational institution, they can determine the structure of the network system. It should include educational material submitted in the form of programs, tasks, control and graduation papers, and scientific and practical assistance (Costa et al.). The student should be provided with fundamental printed textbooks, teaching aids, and hypertext multimedia programs (Arthur-Nyarko et al.). Additional materials may include lectures prepared by teachers on disciplines that can be transmitted via the network. In addition, distance learning provides communication in various modes, teacher advice on implementing term papers, theses, or other final work.

The essential component of distance learning is the ability to consider situations that are close to reality. In addition, important elements are creating conditions for the self-realization of students, the disclosure of their potential, the systematic learning process, the individuality of the approach (Bojović et al.). This component is the basis of academic and cognitive activity and affects the quality of distance learning.

Electronic versions of textbooks, which became the basis for the creation of distance courses and traditional books, do not solve the problems of independent activity in obtaining knowledge. These software products only create a virtual learning environment in which distance learning is carried out. Here there are psychological problems, such as inexperience, lack of self-education skills, poor volitional self-regulation, the influence of group attitudes, etc. When developing distance learning programs, it is crucial to carefully plan classes, including each of them with the setting of learning goals and objectives.

If interpersonal communication between students and the teacher is ineffective, there is a possibility of a communication barrier. If this happens, the information is delivered in a distorted form, which leads to the fact that there is a threat of the cognitive barrier growing into a relationship barrier. The barrier of relations turns into a feeling of distrust and hostility towards information and its source.

There are also many disadvantages in distance learning that should be listed and that cannot be ignored. It is worth starting with technical and methodological problems, including ignoring the psychological laws of perception and assimilation of information using multimedia tools of different modalities. There are also methodological problems, including the complexity of developing electronic versions of traditional educational materials, primarily textbooks and practical manuals.

Many students and experts believe that distance learning has many indisputable and obvious advantages.

• A student studying remotely independently plans their schedule and decides how much time to devote to studying.
• The opportunity to study anywhere. Students studying remotely are not tied to a place or time, as they only need an Internet connection.
• Study on the job from the main activity. Distance learning allows to work or study at several courses at the same time to get additional education.
• High learning outcomes. Remote students study the necessary material independently, which allows them to better memorize and assimilate knowledge.
• Distance learning is much cheaper, since it does not require expenses for accommodation and travel, as well as for a foreign passport if the university is located abroad.
• Remote education provides a calm environment, as exams and communication with teachers are held online, which allows students to avoid anxiety.
• Teachers who conduct remote classes have the opportunity to do additional things, cover a larger number of students, as well as teach while, for example, on maternity leave.
• Remote learning allows teachers to use a more individual approach to their students, as well as to devote a sufficient amount of time to all students.

Experiments have confirmed that the quality and structure of training courses, as well as the quality of teaching in distance learning is often much better than in traditional forms of education. New electronic technologies can not only ensure the active involvement of students in the educational process, but also allow them to manage this process, unlike most traditional educational environments (Arthur-Nyarko et al.). The interactive capabilities of the programs and information delivery systems used in the distance learning system make it possible to establish and even stimulate feedback. Despite the predominant number of advantages of distance education, this system is not perfect. During the implementation of e-learning programs, the following problems of distance education were identified.

• Remote learning requires strong concentration and motivation. Almost all the educational material is mastered by a remote student independently. Remote classes require students to have perseverance and developed patience.
• In the process of distance learning, it is difficult to develop interpersonal communication skills, since contact with teachers and other students is minimal.
• In the process of distance learning, it is quite difficult to acquire practical skills, thus, specialties that require practical skills suffer.
• The problem of user identification. It is difficult to track whether a student wrote their exam honestly, since the only way to check this is video surveillance, which is not always possible.
• Insufficient computer literacy. In every country there are remote areas where there is no direct access to the Internet. Moreover, often the residents of such areas do not have any desire to learn, so it is necessary to spread computer literacy.

It is required to start by creating special Internet conferences and forums in schools that would guarantee the relative “live” communication of groups of students to deal with disadvantages (Chen et al.). It is also necessary to cooperate with traditional and distance learning, cooperation between teachers and students using a broad terminological and methodological base of psychology and pedagogy (Abuhammad). Despite all these problems, distance learning is very much appreciated by psychologists and teachers (Traxler). Nevertheless, the complete replacement of traditional education systems with similar ones-distance ones still causes some caution. One thing is indisputable – remotely studying students are more adapted to external conditions, are responsible and active, and therefore more successful in the modern business world.

Speaking about the distance form of education, it is necessary to talk about the creation of a single information and educational space. When it comes to distance learning, it is necessary to understand the presence of a teacher, a textbook and a student in the system, as well as the interaction of a teacher and students. It follows from this that the main thing in the organization of distance learning is the creation of electronic courses, the development of didactic foundations of distance learning, and the training of teachers-coordinators. It is not necessary to identify the distance form with the correspondence form of education, because it provides for constant contact with the teacher and imitation of all types of full-time training.

The dynamism of economic and socio-cultural processes in society causes changes in the field of education. Since the features of distance education are simply not acceptable for many students. Based on psychology and the methodology of independent learning, distance learning has some advantages and disadvantages. Summing up, we can unequivocally answer that distance education has a future. However, much depends on how quickly the problems of eliminating information illiteracy, technical equipment and improving the quality of e-education will be resolved. These factors arise during the implementation of remote scientific programs and projects. So, the factors and examples given above show the need to create and expand distance learning in the United States.

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Chen, Emily, Kristie Kaczmarek, and Hiroe Ohyama. “Student perceptions of distance learning strategies during COVID‐19.” Journal of dental education (2020). Web.

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Dietrich, Nicolas, et al. “Attempts, successes, and failures of distance learning in the time of COVID-19.” Journal of Chemical Education 97.9 (2020): 2448-2457. Web.

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Essay on Advantages of Classroom Education over Distance Learning

Table of Contents

Advantages of Classroom Education over Distance Learning

Introduction.

The world of education has witnessed a remarkable transformation in recent years, with the advent of technology paving the way for distance learning. While distance learning offers convenience and flexibility, classroom education remains a fundamental and invaluable mode of learning. This essay explores the advantages of classroom education over distance learning, highlighting the unique benefits it offers in terms of interaction, engagement, and holistic development.

• Interactive Learning Environment : One of the most significant advantages of classroom education is the interactive learning environment it provides. In a physical classroom, students have the opportunity to engage in real-time discussions, ask questions, and receive immediate feedback from instructors. This interaction fosters a deeper understanding of the subject matter and encourages critical thinking. In contrast, distance learning often relies on asynchronous communication, which can lead to a lack of engagement and a sense of isolation.
• Social Interaction and Networking : Classroom education promotes social interaction and networking, which are crucial for personal and professional growth. Students in a traditional classroom setting have the chance to build relationships with peers, collaborate on projects, and develop communication skills. These social connections can lead to valuable networking opportunities later in life. Distance learning, on the other hand, can be isolating, with limited opportunities for meaningful social interaction.
• Immediate Clarification : In a classroom, students can seek immediate clarification when they encounter difficulties or have questions. This instant access to assistance ensures that no concept is left unexplained, promoting a comprehensive understanding of the material. In contrast, distance learners may have to wait for responses to their queries, potentially leading to delays in their learning progress.
• Structured Learning Environment : Classroom education offers a structured and disciplined learning environment. Students attend classes at specific times, follow a set curriculum, and are guided by instructors who ensure that they cover essential topics. This structured approach helps students stay organized and focused on their studies. In contrast, distance learning often requires students to be more self-disciplined, which can be challenging for some individuals, leading to procrastination and a lack of accountability.
• Hands-on Learning : Some subjects, such as science and engineering, require hands-on learning experiences that are best provided in a physical classroom or laboratory setting. Classroom education allows students to conduct experiments, work with equipment, and engage in practical activities under the supervision of experts. Distance learning may struggle to replicate these hands-on experiences effectively.
• Personalized Attention : In a classroom setting, instructors can provide personalized attention to students, identifying their strengths and weaknesses and tailoring their teaching methods accordingly. This personalized approach ensures that no student is left behind and that individual learning needs are met. Distance learning platforms may lack this level of personalization, making it challenging for students who require extra support.
• Development of Soft Skills : Classroom education is conducive to the development of essential soft skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, and time management. These skills are not only crucial for academic success but also for success in the professional world. The collaborative nature of classroom education fosters the development of these skills, which may not be as effectively cultivated in a distance learning environment.

While distance learning has its merits in terms of convenience and flexibility, classroom education continues to offer distinct advantages. Its interactive learning environment, social interaction opportunities, immediate clarification, structured approach, hands-on learning experiences, personalized attention, and soft skills development make it a valuable mode of education. Both classroom education and distance learning have their place in the modern educational landscape, but recognizing the unique benefits of classroom education is essential in ensuring a holistic and well-rounded education for students.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning Essay

Today, the Internet is firmly entered into our lives. Modern education is unthinkable without computers and the Internet. Most of today’s school children and students are actively using the computer and the Internet in their lives and education. Moreover, in modern society, a specialist is needed to study virtually all his life with rapid growth of the information. Previously, a vast majority of people could afford to learn once for all. The stock of knowledge was sufficient for a lifetime. Today, the idea of ‘life-long education’ leads to the need to find new methods of knowledge and learning technologies transfer. Constant use of Internet technologies and e-learning opens up new opportunities for continuous learning and retraining of specialists; the opportunity to get the second education makes learning more accessible. Thus, it becomes obvious that distance education became a significant part of our life, and a person should know all its advantages and disadvantages, making the own choice between different kinds of education. The main advantages of distance education are widely known for people; therefore we are going to discuss the main disadvantages of distance education in the body of this paper. The thesis of this paper is the following: distance education is convenient and inexpensive kind of education, but is limited in practice and live communication.

At the beginning, it is believed that the main disadvantage of distance education is the lack of communication with teachers, as well as with other students. Into the acknowledgement of this fact Motamedi (2001) stated that “in distance education, neither teachers nor students are physically present to clarify, discuss, or provide feedback – there is no face-to-face contact. Yet, distance education continues to be popular because it provides access to education for those who are unable to attend an educational establishment regularly.” The emotional component of education disappears; students do not feel an individual approach during the process of education, etc. The transfer of knowledge becomes impersonal. In such a way, distance education leads students to social isolation, because students can feel the lack of direct communication with their teachers and classmates in many cases. However, such psychological anonymity can be reduced by using modern communication technologies, such as forums, e-mails, chats, video – and online conferences, etc.

The next drawback of distance education is absence of technical opportunities. For a continued access to the source of knowledge, the student should be well equipped technically. At least one must have a laptop and the internet access. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford this. If the person likes to travel and receive education at the same time, then he / she is seriously dependent on the points of Wi-Fi, flash-modems, etc.

The disadvantages of distance education are also the lack of a permanent control over the students; the student does not feel the practical knowledge. In addition, not all courses are suited to distance learning. For example, it is wrong to expect that the distant courses are suitable to such occupations as a doctor or a pilot of an airliner. But at the present time, according to Prümmer (2000), distance learning is increasingly growing in the fields of education. Demand for such distance education has increased particularly since many require advanced training, but do not have enough time for such full-time programs of education.

Discussing the disadvantages of distance education, we can also mention that there exist some problems with students’ authentication while checking knowledge, because traditional education requires full-time exams, while distance education allows students to cheat their tutors. Tait & Mills (2003) mentioned that distance education does not provide quick feedback. In traditional education the student’s performance can be immediately assessed by questions and informal testing, while the distant student must wait for verification of his work and answer from his instructor exactly with distance education. Many distance learners say that it is easy to relax at home, and they loose interest to learning. Taylor (2007) added that “students who are weaker academically may be at a disadvantage in the distance learning environment. Distance learners have to be self-directed and intrinsically motivated”. As a result, distance education requires rigid self-discipline and strong motivation that would help the student to learn independently and without constant supervision.

And, finally, not every employer recognizes distance education, although the vast majority does not mind. Meyer (2002) said that despite the fact that many distance education diplomas are recognized equally with traditional ones, employers prefer applicants with familiar traditional degrees.

Thus, we have observed the main disadvantages of distance education and proved the thesis that in spite of the fact that distance education is convenient and inexpensive kind of education, it is still limited in practice and live communication. To date, various programs of distance education are not well developed still, because distance education is a relatively new trend in education. By itself, this way of education has a number of features, and they should be considered in the preparation of textbooks, but in practice teachers often use the same materials as for full-time study. In addition, if the student cannot exchange the live communication with the teacher and other students on e-mails, online education is unlikely to suit him.

To sum up, the distance education is a quite convenient and useful opportunity to receive knowledge. There is no doubt that it is a big step in the education of the future. But we should not forget the traditional education that will give the student more advanced skills, particularly in obtaining basic education. As a result, we can recommend to choose distance education as a kind of extra education, or if a person has no opportunity to learn in traditional way for some strong reasons.

References:

Meyer, K. (2002). Quality in Distance Education: Focus on On-Line Learning. Jossey-Bass. Motamedi, V. (2001). A Critical Look at the Use of Videoconferencing in United States Distance Education. Education, Vol. 122. Prümmer, C. V. (2000). Women and Distance Education: Challenges and Opportunities. RoutledgeFalmer. Tait, A. & Mills, R. (2003). Re-Thinking Learner Support in Distance Education: Change and Continuity in an International Context. RoutledgeFalmer. Taylor, N. (2007). Education Leaders Perspectives: Pros and Cons of Distance Education in a Small Caribbean Island. Distance Learning, Vol. 4.

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