the advantages of distance learning essay

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.

Abuhammad, Sawsan. “ Barriers to distance learning during the COVID-19 outbreak: A qualitative review from parents’ perspective. ” Heliyon (2020): e05482. Web.

Arthur-Nyarko, Emmanuel, Douglas Darko Agyei, and Justice Kofi Armah. “Digitizing distance learning materials: Measuring students’ readiness and intended challenges.” Education and Information Technologies (2020): 1-16. Web.

Bojović, Živko, et al. “Education in times of crisis: Rapid transition to distance learning.” Computer Applications in Engineering Education 28.6 (2020): 1467-1489.

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

Costa, Roberto D., et al. “The theory of learning styles applied to distance learning.” Cognitive Systems Research 64 (2020): 134-145. Web.

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.

Lassoued, Zohra, Mohammed Alhendawi, and Raed Bashitialshaaer. “ An exploratory study of the obstacles for achieving quality in distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. ” Education Sciences 10.9 (2020): 232. Web.

Schneider, Samantha L., and Martha Laurin Council. “Distance learning in the era of COVID-19.” Archives of dermatological research 313.5 (2021): 389-390. Web.

Surma, Tim, and Paul A. Kirschner. “Technology enhanced distance learning should not forget how learning happens.” Computers in human behavior 110 (2020): 106390. Web.

Traxler, John. “ Distance learning—Predictions and possibilities. ” Education Sciences 8.1 (2018): 35. Web.

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StudyCorgi. (2022, November 12). Distance Learning: Advantages and Disadvantages. https://studycorgi.com/distance-learning-advantages-and-disadvantages/

"Distance Learning: Advantages and Disadvantages." StudyCorgi , 12 Nov. 2022, studycorgi.com/distance-learning-advantages-and-disadvantages/.

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Advantages of Distance Learning Essay Example

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most people are having to stay home, which is affecting the way students can attend school. So, to be able to teach students safely, schools are switching to distance learning, where students attend school from home. With all the schools closing because of Covid-19, this is “affecting about 90% of the world’s students” (El Firdoussi, Selwa, et al 1). Even with the difficulties of using distance learning, it also comes with some advantages.      

Using distance learning schools can resume class without the possible issue of students contracting or passing Covid-19 to others around them. Although the need to switch from learning in a classroom to learning at home was sudden, students and teachers are getting used to having class from home. Even though some “teachers who are not ready for the functioning of distance learning and face difficulties seem less willing to use distance learning” (Sari and Nayır 8) are having to learn to become comfortable with using it. Plus, as teachers improve their ability to teach online students. Students will be able to get a better learning experience even if they are having to attend school from home. Because according to Lambert and Cuper, “The teacher who has the ability to use technological tools, has the opportunity to teach critical skills in an environment familiar to students.” (qt. in Sari and Nayır 8). But schools should still be able to give enough support to students who have trouble learning due to having to learn at home. To do this, “student support services should be constantly reviewed to continue to contribute services that were offered on the physical campus” (Roache, Darcia, et al 4).

While students are attending school at home, they have to be more responsible when it comes to the work they are assigned. Students also must put more effort into learning the material since they are not in the usual class setting where the teacher can supervise their work. For students to be able to carry out their task with ease it “requires good self-discipline and clear organization of work” (Kurbakova 4). This helps the students using distance learning by “improving their independent learning abilities and self-regulating thinking” (Rehman and Fatima 2). Also, the use of distance learning helps students who want to learn at a different pace than others would. For those types of students, “the online platform is very effective in implementing an individual, flexible educational trajectory” (Kurbakova 6). Being able to go at their own pace allows students to turn in their assignments when it is completed and “It is easier to track their fulfillment of homework” (Kurbakova 7).            

Students are not the only ones in the educational system that had to change the way they do things when it comes to school. Teachers also had to change the way they teach their students since they are not in the classroom. For some teachers to comfortably transition to teaching online, they “tend to use devices and applications for remote instruction that already they used for daily life” (Rahmadi 10). By using, technology, they are already familiar with it allows teachers to easily communicate with their students and give clear instructions for assignments. Furthermore, teachers who are better at using technology to teach their class “are more likely to adopt new technology to their teaching practices” (Rahmadi 10). Teachers are changing the types of assignments given to their students, such as, assignments that have to do with “constructing and discussing learning material with peers or parents as well as creating and sharing a product to the community appeals as more fruitful tasks during the distance learning” (Rahmadi 10).            

Distance learning also comes with its own set of disadvantages. An example would be a student who is not able to focus while in their own home due to distractions around the house. Studies show that “9 percent of 15-year-old don’t even have a quiet place to study in their homes” (qt. in Sari and Nayır 6). This makes it harder for the student to learn the material compared to another student who can study without distraction. Another problem with distance learning is that students are not able to ask for help as easily from teachers since they are at home and not in the classroom. Before, when students were in the classroom, they would be able to ask their teacher for help directly. However, since they are not in school, the only way to contact a teacher for help is through email or if the teacher is hosting a live class.

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Benefits of Online Learning Essay

In this modern era, there are many methods through which one can acquire knowledge. Among these, the most popular is online learning. It can be discerned as a method of teaching and learning through internet tools, to be in touch and have an alliance in an instructive environment. It helps the students to learn simultaneously and they can study without going to or staying in a school or college.

Many educational institutions support and engage in some kind of online education. Today, one can see that most of the people are unsatisfied with their job and so they try to acquire a better job with a high salary which leads them to a better lifestyle. People thus employed can study while doing their job with the help of the internet. The best advantage is that in this system one can study at his or her own time when the person feels comfortable. It is highly useful for professionals who may want to learn more without going to classrooms. To a great extent, it is also useful for housewives and retired people. Through this mode, one can become a well-informed individual who possesses great knowledge in his or her studies.

Benefits of online learning

• Online learning has many benefits for high-tech companies: As the companies use different methods to design, transport, select, manage and extend their business, etc. online teaching process is instrumental for them. They can give valuable guidance, pieces of training for their employees without the need for them to be absent for long which helps to increase their skill, and through this skill, the company can achieve their goals. Besides, through this system, they can increase the efficiencies of the employees and add value to the process of business developments. At the same time, they can also save the cost of training as online learning is comparatively much cheaper.
• Online learning improves knowledge: People with good knowledge are needed in every field, especially in business. Online learning provides updated knowledge that relates to every level and this will help people at all levels develop greater knowledge in different fields. 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. It also helps to construct relationships and build up an atmosphere of trust, affection, and admiration and to be confident, and to have good and better personal and professional relationships.
• Online learning provides great opportunities at various academic levels. Through this students can save money for tuition, accommodation, and food. Online learning improves their talent in computers and the internet. Online learning does not need physical movements and students are not bound by time, place, and the tutor. “People with accessibility issues are not disadvantaged on an online course – everybody is equal.” (Benefits of Online Learning). Each individual has a similar chance to talk, express ideas through chatting without any discrimination or gender partiality.

From the above-mentioned factors, one can conclude that online learning has a lot of advantages over the other modes of education and that the main objective of online learning is to provide maximum information while being very convenient for both students and teachers. Thus online learning helps to develop business with great efficient employees, assist people to develop accurate knowledge about everything and thereby attain great achievement in their life and supplies enormous chance in educational level to help the students to gain considerable development in their life. Online learning gives a desired outcome to the person than any other means of learning.

Works Cited

Benefits of Online Learning: No Limitations. People Open Access Education Initiative People- uni: Building Public Health Capacity Using Internet- based e-learning. 2008. Web.

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IvyPanda. (2023, October 31). Benefits of Online Learning. https://ivypanda.com/essays/benefits-of-online-learning/

"Benefits of Online Learning." IvyPanda , 31 Oct. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/benefits-of-online-learning/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'Benefits of Online Learning'. 31 October.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Benefits of Online Learning." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/benefits-of-online-learning/.

1. IvyPanda . "Benefits of Online Learning." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/benefits-of-online-learning/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Benefits of Online Learning." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/benefits-of-online-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.

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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. ]

Vibe offers a collaborative solution combining an interactive digital whiteboard and innovative smart software. Increase engagement and efficiency at your brainstorming sessions, virtual training, and classroom sessions by integrating your favorite applications with video conferencing and an infinite, mess-free writing canvas. Collaborate today with Vibe.

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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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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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Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning: IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic

You must write at least 250 words for IELTS Writing Task 2. You will be given a topic and evaluated on your abilities to answer by expressing and defending your viewpoint, explaining the topic, summarising facts, describing challenges, identifying potential alternatives, and illustrating what you write with explanations, claims, and specific examples from your own expertise or experience.

Today we will read about a very popular topic “Advantages and disadvantages of online learning essay”.

So, let’s get started.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Classes

Let us help you in your IELTS writing preparation with an interesting and informative topic. Read all the 3 sample answers and learn how to approach a topic in different ways.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Classes Sample Answer One for IELTS Writing Task 2

Online teaching and learning have grown in popularity among students in recent times, and this is viewed differently by different learners. Many students see this as a helpful learning tool, although others believe it is not as successful as classroom instruction. This article would explore the benefits and drawbacks of digital education.

Also Read: Importance of Art in Society: IELTS Essay Sample for IELTS Writing Task 2 Explained for Band 8

Advantages of Online Classes Essay

Students who study online have more flexibility in their schedules and spend less money on their education. They will study their desired courses and subjects at their own pace. This is a fantastic opportunity for learners to learn new skills and expand their experience while remaining in the comfort of their own home. For example, a Nepali student seeking an Australian degree in business administration does not need to travel to Australia; he can train and complete the course while remaining at home. As a result, distance learning is both cost-effective and time-efficient.

Disadvantages of Studying Online

That being said, online classes offer more emphasis on the analytical aspect of learning and there is less instructor and student contact. It ignores realistic learning elements and encourages passive learning. It is clear that students perceive it to be less successful than classroom instruction. According to a new survey, a larger percentage of students considered classroom instruction to be much more successful than digital education.

Conclusion: Merits and Demerits of Online Teaching

In conclusion, the ever-increasing availability of digital education has gained traction among young adults for many years and is viewed as helpful by many and less successful by others. The focus should be placed on its efficacy in order to identify it as the most cost-effective learning method other than classroom instruction.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Classes Sample Answer Two for IELTS Writing Task 2

Recently, the course has grown in popularity, resulting in more excellent learning options for students. While this movement may have some benefits, it may also have some risks and challenges as a result. Both sides of learning will be addressed in more detail in the following chapters. On the one hand, distance education has certain benefits. For starters, the simplicity of distance learning is essential.

Also Read: IELTS Essay in Writing Task 2: Here’s How to Organize it Well

There is no time constraint and the online classroom and teacher are (theoretically) accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As a result, students will stick to their schedules without impacting their learning outcomes.

Second, the advantage of learning is that it saves resources. Tuition at online schools is often smaller than at conventional universities. Building repairs, grounds maintenance, food service, class accessories, and other expenses that impact the cost of credits are not needed.

Learners, on the other hand, may suffer from a number of disadvantages of simulated learning. To continue, students can encounter technical issues, which can have a variety of implications.

Furthermore, some students are not equipped with the good internet access that online courses necessitate, and therefore fall behind their simulated classmates: poor monitors find it difficult to obey the course Management.

The system, as well as their learning process, becomes troublesome. Another downside to digital education is the scarcity of accreditation and the poor standard of instruction. The growing demand for digital education has resulted in an uncontrollable proliferation of colleges, including some unregulated schools, and there is no way to check the content of all courses. As a consequence, illegal organisations can con several students out of money.

Finally, online education can be helpful in terms of scheduling flexibility and reduced tuition. However, immersive learning has some drawbacks, including poor student conditions and a lack of quality control over classes.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Classes Sample Answer Three for IELTS Writing Task 2

These days, online learning is becoming increasingly popular. Many conventional colleges began to make their classes available for free. It represents a simple and convenient way to gain expertise in almost any area, from law and accounting to social sciences such as sociology, anthropology, and history. Digital education is a fantastic alternative to conventional universities, particularly for people who do not have the time or resources to attend traditional universities. So what are the benefits and drawbacks of online learning?

Also Read: Opinion Essay for IELTS: How to Plan and Write a Perfect Opinion Essay?

While many people still believe that traditional colleges are the only way to gain expertise and obtain a diploma, digital education has proven to be an excellent option. Students should study on their own time, and particularly for free. It is an excellent way to learn a variety of subjects while still increasing self-motivation. Online learning is so successful because students can complete their assignments easily, leaving more time for hobbies or job search.

Access to all of the opportunities of a typical course allows learners to practise wherever they are, giving them the opportunity to prepare wherever they choose. An individual may attend various courses with only an Internet connection. Students’ accountability and self-discipline are among the benefits of digital learning.

Limitations of Online Learning

An individual can only learn properly in a small group. Learners learn at school how to make new friends, be polite, deal with failure, and, most importantly, compete. Competition among colleagues can be very exciting, and students can learn greatly from it. Human contact is not possible for digital learning.

Another drawback is that online classes cannot handle the thousands of students who attempt to participate in debates. Furthermore, if digital education is intended for disciplines that need preparation, it can be challenging.

Conclusion of Studying Online

Finally, digital education can be seen as a supplement to and expansion to traditional ways of learning. Even the best online course cannot completely substitute physical interaction with an instructor or the human connections formed in a group. As a result, standard classes can not be replaced by digital learning.

Any essay can be satisfactory if addressed correctly. It is critical to remember in IELTS writing that each type of essay necessitates a different approach. In the case of an ‘advantage and disadvantage’ essay, a mixture of solid structure and appropriate data is a game-changer. As a result, in order to achieve a 9 band in your exam, you must devote some time to planning and structuring your essay.

If you need more assistance on this, you can simply visit IELTS Ninja .

Also Read: How to Write Agree and Disagree Essays in IELTS? Tips to Write the Perfect Essay

One Comment

Thank you for providing the advantages and disadvantages of the online learning, but many prefer online learning over self study, what do you think about it?

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Madhurjya chowdhury.

Madhurjya Chowdhury, a web content writer in Ufaber EduTech has a very strong passion for writing and alluring the readers. You can find him writing articles for the betterment of exam aspirants and children. With immense interest in research-based content writing and copywriting, he likes to reach out to more and more people with his creative writing style. On the other side, he is an Electronics and Communication Engineer from LPU, Jalandhar. In his leisure time, he likes to play badminton or read about space discoveries. Apart from this, he is a pro gamer on PC, PS and Mobile gaming platforms.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning Essay Example

Getting education through a distant learning course is not a new phenomenon. But, it has gained momentum globally thanks to the flexibility it offers. However, there are both advantages and disadvantages of studying through these correspondence courses. 

One of the biggest advantages of distance education is the convenience it offers. Students can immensely  benefit from the way these courses are delivered. For example, a student can pursue a degree from an university in Canada without having to move to the country, all at the comfort of his home. Additionally, tutees can finish their graduation through online courses within a fraction of the costs incurred for an on premise course. Last, but not far from the least, correspondence course enables working professionals to upskill. 

On the other hand, distance studying has its own share of disadvantages, which can be barely overlooked. Though, it is a widely known mode of education, the degrees obtained though correspondence courses are yet to be widely accepted. Even now, many firms give preference to candidates with an on premise education over distant learning candidates. Moreover, an online course is only a simulation of classroom and can never emulate the real-time experience. 

In conclusion, pursuing higher education through distant courses enables students to have their own schedule but it is not all rosy. In my opinion, it may not be the best medium to complete education for a certain section of students.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning Essay

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Knowledge , United States , Training , Autism , Students , Public Relations , Internet , Education

Words: 1400

Published: 11/04/2019

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Introduction

The current technological arena has taken learning to greater heights. Several institutions have incorporated distance learning in their programmes as it has proved to be fruitful. This has made it one of the common learning systems nowadays among various institutions. Before looking into the advantages and disadvantages of this learning system, let us first get its clear meaning.

Definition of Distance Learning

Distance learning is a system of learning where the physical presence of the student is not considered. The main aim of this system of learning is to deliver education to the required parties without the physical presence of the parties.

In this learning system, both the trainer (the source of information or the teacher) and the trainee (recipient of the information or the student) are far apart in terms of distance and time. It can also be described as a learning process that creates quality and equal learning opportunities to students outside the classroom environment. If in any case distance learning requires a physical presence, the resulting system is considered as a hybrid (blended) system.

Distance learning takes place in several forms. The most common ones include: the internet conducted systems; correspondence through mails, both regular and irregular; the CD-ROM, where the course content is stored in the CD for the student; the broadcast system or the telecourse where the course contents are delivered through TVs and Radios; the mobile learning system in which the course contents are stored in a wireless system; and the integration of live-in-group learning with a distance curriculum among others.

The Pros of Distance Learning

In the critical analysis of distance learning, several benefits are identified. The most common benefits that are associated with this learning system include: increase in flexibility; cost reduction; commuting is not necessary; there is increased accessibility and so on.

• Cost Reduction (financial benefits) – when compared to physical programmes, online courses are generally cheap. In addition, the expenses involved in distance learning cannot be compared to the other learning systems. For instance, there are no transportation expenses, no housing charges, meals charges and other charges that are imposed on the physical students. Also, the student can continue with his/her duties and at the same time continues with the learning process.
• Flexibility – with this learning system, students can continue with the course work at any place as long as the course materials are available e.g. the computers, the internet connection, the CDs among others. This makes it possible for learners to learn at the most convenient place. For those with irregular work schedule, this system comes in with great flexibility. The learner chooses to learn when and where is appropriate. The issue of time constraints or the geographical barriers is completely done away with.
• Increased accessibility – with this system, there is no worry about the access into schools or classrooms. It has therefore made it possible for students with mobility problems to access the courses at the comforts of their rooms. Distance learning has also made it possible for students to have a wide variety of institutions which they can choose from. Online institutions that provide specialized knowledge in various fields have been made accessible through this system. It therefore matters not whether one comes from a community with or without colleges as the online opportunity is available to everyone.
• More access to experts and materials – here, the learners have increased access to experts all around the globe. The learners can also access various materials from several sources including the online databases and the online materials. The institutions and the trainers (experts) in this system get proper marketability. Since these institutions must be advertised online, many students get informed about them and the most likely result is that many students attend them.
• Interactive teamwork – in this system, students are able to correspond with other students from different locations. Students are also able to get information from various experts from around the world. The result in this case is an improvement in the quality of education.
• Increase in student–teacher relation . The introduction of emails and live chats in the internet makes it easier for the teacher-student relation to improve. The student is able to communicate with the teacher one-on-one which results in better experience on the side of the student.
• Reduction in inconveniences – there are numerous inconveniences that arise in the normal physical learning process. Amongst them are: collection of assignments, submission of home-works, exams, assessment tests, attending classes at required times, etc. The online learning system has eliminated all these inconveniencies.
• In terms of quality and nature of the examinations, online institutions are miles away. Instead of the physical appearance of the trainer or the invigilator during the course of the exam, various online institutions use proctors to monitor the process of the examination.
• Physical movement from one place to another , especially of different social lifestyle, requires that one readjusts the lifestyle in order to fit in the new environment. This is very common with classroom learning. Distance learning comes along with a pool of social benefits. One does not need to leave his/her community, lifestyle or culture. On the other hand, distance learning has some problems associated with it. Let us look deep into these problems.

Cons of Distance Learning

• Hidden costs – although distance learning comes with reduced costs, there are some hidden costs that may be overlooked. For such learning, the equipment and the technology must be paid for. This calls for careful planning. The cost of setting up a computer system with internet connection, the cost of installing live video communication equipment, the cost of ordering the materials and the shipping charges, all contribute to the overall under-looked costs.
• Poor Social interactions – this system of learning lacks the social interaction that is linked with the classroom. In interactions in the chat rooms, the emails and discussion boards cannot be compared to the classroom interaction. This learning system is not ideal for students who need individual attention of the teachers. This makes its format non ideal for all students. Those with motivation and procrastination problems may find it quite un-ideal.As much as the online learning is gaining popularity, some of the employers do not recognize it. Some still do not believe in distance learning as they assume that the online degrees do not prepare an individual well enough to be resourceful in the job market.
• Adaptability to new technology – online learning requires that one is not left behind with technology. It requires that one becomes more comfortable with computers and with online programs before he/she can enjoy the online learning.
• Limited Courses – Not all courses can be offered online. Some courses need extensive practical work that needs physical guidance of the trainer. Such courses can not be offered online. Engineering courses and nursing courses cannot be offered entirely online.

Even though disadvantages of distance learning exist, its benefits are beyond compare. This system of learning has indeed taken learning to greater heights. The dissemination of information is highly encouraged by this system as majority can now access information from various fields. Learning has been made easy at less cost as the inconveniencies in open classrooms have been completely eliminated. With this system, students can now carry on with their studies and at the same time do some other things like part-time jobs. The greatest of all is the convenience of the online learning. Worries about when and where to study no longer exist as students always learn at the comfort of their rooms. It is a piece of advice to the organizations that still do not recognize the online learning. The world is changing at a terrible speed and nobody should be left behind. Distance learning should be encouraged so that its benefits are enjoyed by all.

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Taking distance learning ‘offline’: Lessons learned from navigating the digital divide during COVID-19

Subscribe to the center for universal education bulletin, angelica towne amporo and angelica towne amporo chief strategy and innovation officer & co-founder - educate hawah nabbuye hawah nabbuye 2018 echidna global scholar - the brookings institution, uganda country director - educate uganda @hawahhawah.

August 7, 2020

As we adjust to life during a global pandemic, it’s hard to imagine what life was like over a century ago during outbreaks. While in the past most faced quarantines without a telephone or a radio, today there is an expansive universe online. Even as the coronavirus forces physical isolation, the spectacular technological advances of the digital age make local and global connection possible. However, within education, the new centrality of communication technology in the context of the vast digital divide means the pandemic is exacerbating inequality, excluding many youth from their right to learn.

Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, our East African youth skills organization, Educate! , reached youth primarily through national education systems—delivering our model directly in schools or working with the government. For over a decade, we’ve been operating this way, partnering with secondary schools in Uganda to prepare youth with the skills to succeed in today’s economy, as well as working on systems-level integration of skills-based learning in Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya. But schools across East Africa have been closed since March, and access to tools like smartphones, internet, and electricity is scarce in the region. This means that many distance learning strategies being deployed in other parts of the world are not feasible, and we’ve observed a significant gap in solutions for youth. The challenges inherent to delivering distance learning in resource-constrained areas remain largely unsolved—requiring creative, context-driven solutions.

Our approach

When schools across East Africa closed in mid-March, Educate! acted quickly to launch a response—aiming to embrace the now and act swiftly —pivoting to deliver components of our skills-based model to youth remotely through radio, SMS (text messaging), and interactive voice response (“robocalls”). During this time, our team began executing extensive remote learning research, as well as developing data collection platforms, which would be key to ensuring our program best fit the needs of our learners.

Although moving to distance learning was new territory for us, luckily we didn’t have to reinvent the wheel. First, we invested in learning from the many organizations working to tackle the digital divide prior to COVID-19: Girl Effect in girls’ empowerment, Eneza and M-Shule in academic learning, and the countless organizations providing learning continuity in humanitarian emergencies . Leveraging these learnings and equity-focused best practices , our local teams of curriculum and learning experience designers hit the ground running.

In just over three months of implementation, we’ve experienced exciting progress and key breakthroughs, coupled with failures, flops, and stubborn challenges—all of which have been critical for developing distance learning strategies of our own. By sharing our emerging best practices, we hope to contribute to the creation of quality and equitable distance learning solutions, allowing young people in every corner of the world to stay engaged with their education.

Lessons learned for effective distance learning solutions

1. leverage user data to tailor programmatic design to learner realities.

Our greatest obstacle has been determining how to consistently reach youth with limited access to the internet and connectivity through phone or radio. To address this challenge and inform an effective response, we needed to deeply understand our students’ realities. And to understand our students’ realities, we needed data! While we leveraged existing country data on school closures, as well as young people’s broad access to technology, we needed to collect data specific to our students’ lives. We needed to understand what life was like at home, how frequently our students could access a phone or radio, what barriers they faced learning outside the classroom, and if gender affected their ability to participate.

While collecting data under countrywide coronavirus restrictions has been challenging, it has been critical for informing our response. To collect data, our team leveraged low-tech means, including disseminating surveys to youth through SMS, WhatsApp, and phone calls. We leveraged phone-based surveys to guide our programmatic decisionmaking and used WhatsApp groups for rapid design feedback. We have also targeted data on gender, developing a data point within our student contact database, allowing us to disaggregate by gender. As our team targets equal participation among boys and girls in our programming, disaggregation by gender has been critical for informing our remote gender equity strategy (discussed below in learning #5).

While these data collection platforms don’t reach all of our students, these systems have generated rich datasets on key indicators, such as participation. A key barrier we discovered through student surveys is that many youth have taken on new home responsibilities, cutting into time for their studies. Mornings are especially busy, as many students are completing household chores or supporting their families with agricultural work. In response to these learnings, we scheduled radio lessons on the weekends and sent learning prompts via SMS later in the day, when youth had finished their chores. By listening closely to our students and looking at a holistic picture of their lives, we have been able to increase participation in our remote programming quite simply, without addressing the complex issues of technology access.

2. Go beyond broadcasting content: Layer strategies and build in interaction

It’s widely recognized that real and meaningful learning occurs in the classroom only when curriculum goes beyond rote memorization and lecture-based instruction. We believe that the same approach should be applied to distance learning, so we have prioritized hybrid distance learning strategies that have two-way engagement built in.

We are taking a multipronged approach in Uganda—leveraging radio for content delivery, with robocalls, SMS, and remote mentorship for follow-up assessment, engagement, and guidance. While we don’t believe that distance learning strategies can replace in-person instruction, we think that “layering” strategies with built-in engagement can strengthen their impact. Evidence backs this up: In Kenya, a study examining the multimedia platform Shujazz showed that youth exhibited positive behavior changes after receiving targeted content through comics, social media, and SMS. Lastly, building in student responses to these mechanisms has the added advantage of supporting critical data collection.

3. Look for new ways to engage families

As schools began to close in March, our team urgently worked to collect student phone numbers to enroll students in our remote programming. However, of the 13,000 phone numbers we were able to collect, fewer than 50 percent were active. In addition, research conducted by our team at the outset of the pandemic found that many of our students only have access to a shared device for about 30 minutes per day.

Drawing on lessons learned from past emergencies, we conducted targeted outreach to parents and family members. We quickly learned that youth could participate more consistently in our remote programming if they used a family member’s phone rather than their own, as parents and relatives were more likely to own a phone as well as keep their phone numbers active. We also believe this strategy enhances the quality of the learning for youth because parents can help ensure their children engage actively with learning prompts. Further, a number of studies show that when communities and parents are engaged in students’ learning, academic achievement increases.

After targeting outreach to families, we saw a 29 percent increase in participation in our remote programming, and since launching, we have grown our reach from roughly 10 percent of our previous student level to 50-60 percent, with the expectation that our reach will continue to grow as we scale nationally. As with all things technology-enabled, this growth is exponential and has a snowball effect, so we’re hopeful about the future.

4. Incorporate story-based learning to keep youth engaged

Our team leveraged this feedback to rewrite radio scripts, rework linear learning activities, and introduce new characters within the lessons. While we are continuing to iterate on our distance learning curriculum, we are already beginning to see a positive impact, as 90 percent of our listeners have reported they relate to these story-based activities.

5. Think critically about pedagogy and content delivery to better support girls

Educate!’s curriculum was developed with gender responsiveness at the forefront, and we’ve designed our model to address critical gaps girls face—such as asset and skills gaps—to impact life outcomes. As we’ve worked to transition our curriculum to entirely new delivery mechanisms, we have taken a deliberate approach to integrating gender equity within our remote programming’s design and delivery.

Leveraging the data collection strategies outlined above, we discovered that boys in our programming were more likely to own their own phones than girls—making it challenging for our female learners to participate actively during radio lessons, as well as with assessments and learning prompts delivered via SMS. While we are still working to tackle the core issue of access among female learners, our team has set out to support girls and promote equal participation through a variety of programmatic components.

Our team of designers ensures that the content of every lesson and learning prompt delivered by radio or SMS is gender-responsive. For example, lead characters within our curriculum are female secondary school students, and we select confident female entrepreneurs within our case studies. Through our in-school model, we’ve seen that this strategy is effective in combating the socialization of girls to be quiet and reserved, as well as the negative stereotypes that typecast girls as less competent. In addition to gender-responsive pedagogy, we have begun exploring the implementation of all-girl listener groups as a way to create safe spaces at home for female learners. Following the release of a radio lesson, a female Educate! youth mentor convenes five to 10 girls on a conference call, where they connect to reflect on what they learned in the lesson, as well as discuss challenges they face learning at home.

In the foreseeable future, it seems likely that restrictions on gatherings will remain, limiting the education sector’s ability to reach youth directly in schools. By sharing these early lessons in effective distance learning, we believe we can work together as a sector to navigate this new normal. Together, we can rethink traditional education on a global level—pushing it further into the 21st century and toward a more equitable future.

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